The Archaeological Excavation
St Peter's church was closed in 1970, thereafter
St Mary's became the parish church of Barton. In
view of its national importance, the church was taken into public guardianship
by the Department of the Environment in 1978. Repairs would be necessary over
the next few years and a program of archaeological study was undertaken
alongside these works.
This was not the first time St Peter's had been excavated. See here for Previous work
Between 1978 and 1984 seven seasons of excavation were conducted within and around St Peter's church, accompanied by structural recording and investigation of the above-ground fabric of all parts of the building. The restoration of the fabric has been completed, and the building has been opened to the public.
It was determined at the outset that burial
archaeology would be tackled positively at Barton, an approach which was
eventually to lead to the excavation and study of over 2,800 interments.
Stone Canopy drawn by Simon Hayfield