Oxford Archaeology’s excavation at Frewin Hall in Oxford has won the Temporary Projects Award in the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards 2022 in a ceremony at St John’s College.

The excavation in central Oxford of a basement for new student accommodation – built by Oxford-based firm Beards for Brasenose College, who funded the work – attracted worldwide media attention earlier this year when it uncovered the remains of the ‘lost college’ of St Mary’s, which was founded in 1435 but fell into disrepair after the dissolution of the monasteries. Further surprising discoveries followed, including human bones of an individual buried in the 8th or 9th centuries AD, before Oxford was founded, and the ditch of a Bronze Age barrow or burial mound.

An open day was held in February, which, despite the very stormy weather, attracted some 500 visitors to the site, who viewed the excavations, examined some of the many artefacts recovered, talked to staff, and enjoyed site tours conducted from a specially constructed walkway.

The award recognised the project’s contribution to Oxford and the work of Oxford Archaeology and other organisations involved in the project.