The excavation project was guided by the following overall aims: " To define and identify the nature of archaeological deposits on site, and date these if and where possible, establishing whether the features/deposits represent part of the medieval settlement. A particular focus for the team will be identifying how occupation ceased. " to attempt to characterise the nature of the archaeological sequence and recover as much information as possible about the spatial patterning of features present on the site. " To address the research questions identified in the previous section of this document (see 1.4) " Provide training in archaeological methods and techniques to volunteers wishing to investigate their area's past, equipping them with the relevant new skills. " Further the understanding of the site and its environment by all members of the community. " Reinforce and develop the volunteers' existing sense of place and belonging within the area. " To provide a springboard for further community-led initiatives in the field of archaeology. The positioning of the trenches was based on the results of the geophysical survey combined with scrutiny of the surviving earthworks (using the RCHME topographic survey, aerial photography and walkover examination). The scope of work was intended to allow flexibility to follow up promising results and to enable more extensive investigation if the opportunity presented itself. Several of the trenches were set within defined areas wherein the trenches might be extended as deemed appropriate in consultation with the Historic England (HE) Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Durham County Archaeologist in order to further investigate features of interest revealed by the initial trench and answer questions generated. In each case a maximum proportion of extension in relation to the initial trench was specified (an additional 100% in relation to the longer trenches and 200% in relation to the shorter ones). This methodology was deemed necessary in part because neither the geophysical survey nor the earthwork record had identified distinct house sites within the toft enclosures. The area with the well-preserved SMV earthworks known as Village Field is presently subdivided into two fenced field enclosures. Trenches 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 were excavated in the northern field enclosure (Field 1) whilst Trenches 4 and 5 were located in the southern field (2). The excavations were largely successful in characterising occupation across the ...