iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

#FindsFriday! At first glance, this stone, recovered from a Romano-British site in Norfolk, just looks like it’s been scratched and thrown away. Those scratches, however, represent something pretty interesting – they’ve been caused by a blade or point being dragged across the stone and sharpened.

Orangey brown flat stone with a broken edge and faint incised markings on its surface, displayed against a black background.

03510

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

This month, CFA's Jenni Morrison helped organise the Vernacular Archaeology Group’s annual spring conference, attended by heritage professionals from across the UK (including fellow #TeamCFA member Carley).

A group of people stand in a stone courtyard looking up at a castle in the near distance. An iron cannon is in the foreground, pointing away.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

#FindsFriday! CFA has two copper alloy rings dating from the Roman into the medieval period and recovered from a large excavation in Warwickshire. These rings are two of an impressive 47 copper alloy objects found on site, which included brooches, buttons, a nail cleaner, and more.

Two metal rings, one greenish and one orangey brown, displayed side by side on a white background with a 5cm scale below.

041

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Summer is finally here and we can't think of anything nicer than carrying out a field survey in the beautiful Scottish Borders!

A man wearing a hiker's backpack stands at the top of a valley, looking down on the rugged and wild landscape below.

061

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Happy #FindsFriday! This find is a stone block with a rectangular ingot mould carved into one of its faces. Hot liquid metal would have been poured into the mould, forming it into a perfect ingot.

Rectangular stone artefact with a deep, narrow groove carved into its rough surface against a black background.

044

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The CFA Nature and Walking Society has been out for their annual springtime circular walk - this time exploring 9 miles of trails and moorland on the edge of the Dark Peak. They enjoyed commanding views of Yorkshire and the Longendale Valley. Couldn't have asked for a better day for it!

Group of people resting and chatting on a grassy hillside under a partly cloudy sky in a wide open moorland landscape.

Group of hikers helping each other cross a rocky stream in a grassy moorland under a cloudy sky.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

#FindsFriday! We have a Roman flue tile with evidence of key combing on its surface, which helped mortar or plaster adhere to it. Flue tiles such as this were often used in Roman hypocaust systems which were, essentially, an early form of underfloor heating.

Brownish orange Ceramic Building Material (CBM) shard with wavy incised patterns on its surface, shown next to a 5cm scale for size reference.

0205

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Last week, two of #TeamCFA’s heritage consultants attended The Setting of Heritage Assets course at Oxford University, exploring how heritage settings contribute to significance and how change can affect this. CPD like this helps our team continue to provide informed, up-to-date advice to clients.

A photo montage with four images including a large yellow stone tower surrounded by scaffolding, an old telescope pointing out a window, a blue sign reading 'Rewley House' on a brick wall, and two nametags.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Happy #FindsFriday! Recovered during excavations in East Yorkshire, this bead is made from a yellowy brown glass and dates from the late Iron Age into the early Roman period, possibly from the 1st to the 2nd centuries.

Close-up of a translucent yellowy brown bead held between thumb and forefinger against a grey background.

0548

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

That's a wrap for the #CIfA2026 Conference! CFA Archaeology was proud to sponsor a bursary for an early career archaeologist, helping make these events more accessible for all. #TeamCFA had a great time and we’re leaving inspired and ready to shape the future of archaeology. See you next year!

Blue notebook with archaeology stickers and a pen next to a CIfA 2026 Edinburgh conference programme on a wooden table.

Speaker presenting on 'Foundations and Futures: Building Connections in Scotland’s Archaeological Landscape' in a conference room.

Group of friends enjoying dinner at a vibrant, neon-lit restaurant with hanging plants and industrial ceiling decor.

041

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

#TeamCFA kicked off Day 1 of the CIfA conference with discussions on Scotland's Archaeology Strategy, catching up with colleagues, and, of course, soaking up the glorious Edinburgh sunshine! Looking forward to another jam-packed day today, stay tuned for more updates 🙌🏺⛏️

Group of ten people standing outdoors on a sunny day with trees and buildings in the background, all wearing conference badges.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

#TeamCFA is at the CIfA Conference! Stop by the CFA stall to chat with us about archaeology, our latest projects, industry insights, and your favourite site stories. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious, we’d love to meet you and share our passion for cultural heritage!

Two representatives sit behind a table displaying CFA Archaeology promotional materials and brochures at an indoor event booth.

Presenter Cara Jones speaking at the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2026 conference in Edinburgh with a slide showing standing stones.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

It's a beautiful day to be doing archaeology and when we're out in the field, every day brings a new discovery! Using high-tech GPS technology, #TeamCFA maps archaeological trenches and any finds within them, deepening our understanding of the archaeology overall as well as the past and its people.

Archaeologist in high-visibility gear surveying trenches in a green field under a partly cloudy sky.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

#AnswerTime! This object from last week’s #FindsFriday is a 2nd- to 3rd-century Roman mortaria from Norfolk! Something unusual about this one is that parts of it have been vitrified, meaning that the ceramic was exposed to very high heats and, as a result, areas across its surface became shiny.

Collection of broken brownish orange pottery sherds laid out on a grey surface, showing various sizes and shapes with visible cracks.

040

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

CFA has a fragmented #FindsFriday this week! Can you guess what kind of vessel these pottery sherds came from? Hint: It’s Roman, dating from the 2nd to the 3rd century, and has some grit worked into the fabric. Let us know what you think in the comments! We’ll be back next week with the answer.

Collection of broken brownish orange pottery sherds arranged on a grey surface with a 5cm scale for size reference.

293

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

An Iron Age settlement? And field system? In West Yorkshire? Can it be? Yes, of course! (It's one of many). In case you missed it, CFA recently published an article all about it. Find it online: www.yas.org.uk/Sections/Pre-History…

Two archaeologists in bright orange safety gear conducting a muddy excavation and GPS survey on a cloudy day.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

The sun's out, so the tarp is back! This behind-the-scenes shot shows how #TeamCFA uses the power of friendship (and flat shadows) to take the best photographs of our excavations, including this massive pit in Suffolk. It's looking great, don't you think?

Three workers in orange safety gear hold up a large blue tarp at an archaeological dig site under a clear sky, while a fourth person takes a photo of an excavated pit.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

#FindsFriday! For this week’s treasure, CFA Archaeology is excited to share a wonderful Roman brooch recovered from excavations in West Yorkshire. The upper face of this disc brooch was decorated with 10 circles (of which 4 remain) evenly spaced around a central raised circle.

Close-up of a circular metal brooch with a decorative dot design and a curved pin on the back, shown from three angles against a black background.

0166

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

CFA Archaeology's March photo competition winner was Jenni with this great shot entitled 'Archiving Colour'. Jenni is one of our buildings archaeologists and an excellent urban explorer with an eye for colour, and is particularly skilled at finding great little moments like this!

Colorful graffiti on a textured blue wall featuring the word 'KARAOKE' in bold black letters with red diamond shapes.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

#FindsFriday! This perfect Early Bronze Age plano-convex knife, carefully knapped from flint, was recovered during CFA Archaeology’s excavations in West Yorkshire. Knives like this are often associated with collared urn cremation burials, although ours was found on its own.

082

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Did you figure out our mystery feature? This #FindsFriday we've found... a Romano-British corn dryer! These stone-built structures were used to dry grain before it was stored or processed further, and the part you can see is the buried flue which circulated hot air for drying corn and other grains.

Excavated stone-lined corn dryer structure partially buried in dry, cracked earth with measurement scale nearby.

A section through the corn dryer, showing how the stone walls were constructed.

A hand-drawn technical plan of the corn dyer, showing what it looked like before and after excavation.

0184

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Check it out! CFA has a new article in ‘Prehistoric Yorkshire’ detailing our excavations of a rural Iron Age settlement in West Yorkshire, including a field system and settlement with a roundhouse and grain store. www.yas.org.uk/Sections/Pre-History…

An aerial photo of a large ring ditch, unexcavated, with a series of excavated pits adjacent to it, all within a clayey archaeological excavation site.

An excavated section of a ditch is shown in the foreground, with three archaeologists working in the background.

Two technical illustrations showing the results of an archaeological excavation. To the left is an overview of the site, featuring a large ditch, ring gully, and pits. To the right is a close up of the ring gully with internal pits.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

#TestYourKnowledge What do you think this is? Put your guesses (✅ right and ❌ wrong answers welcome!) in the comments and watch this space for an explanation later in the week!

Excavated stone lined feature within a yellow sandy archaeological site.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Discover CFA’s latest article in SAIR! Later Prehistoric Settlement and Early Medieval Reuse at Loak Farm, Bankfoot, Perth and Kinross' describes our discovery of a Bronze Age to Iron Age settlement and early medieval reoccupation. Read it at: doi.org/10.9750/issn...

doi.org

A Later Prehistoric Settlement and Early Medieval Reuse at Loak Farm, Bankfoot, Perth and Kinross | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Happy #FindsFriday! This week, we’ve got lovely, if somewhat degraded, decorated Samian ware sherds recovered during excavations in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Originating in La Graufesenque, France, these sherds are Flavian in form and date from 70 – 110 AD.

Sherds of reddish orange pottery with faded red geometric patterns on a black background.

0123

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

#TeamCFA has a classic flinty #FindsFriday for you this week – a lovely late Neolithic to early Bronze Age flint scraper. Found in North Yorkshire, this disc scraper was made out of one thick flint flake. The mottled black you can see across part of its surface is the result of having been burnt.

Four views of a prehistoric flint tool showing sharp edges and a rough textured surface against a black background with a 5cm scale bar.

031

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

We’re staying close to home for this #FindsFriday with these two fragments of Roman-era Derbyshire ware pottery found by #TeamCFA in Yorkshire. Produced between the 2nd and 4th centuries, Derbyshire ware travelled far and wide - it's been recorded on sites across central and northern Britain.

Two dark grey pottery shards with rough textures displayed above a centimetre scale on a white background.

0124

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

It's a beautiful morning to be opening archaeological trial trenches in Nottinghamshire! We're investigating potential historic field systems and agricultural activity, which geophysical survey suggests may be medieval in origin.

Sunrise over a vast green field with muddy tire tracks cutting through the grass under a clear blue sky. Archaeological trenches are scattered across the field.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

#FindsFriday! Check out these Bronze Age perforated cobbles, which were likely components from a larger piece of equipment and served as weights or flywheels for something like a drill.

Two flat, rounded stone cobbles with central holes shown from front and side views against a black background.

021

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Excavation nearly finished! We're investigating two intersecting ditches - if one was dug after the other, we could see differences in the soils (colour, composition, etc.). If they were filled in at the same time, the soils should match. What do you think: does one ditch look newer than the other?

Angular excavation in a clayey sandy area with archaeologists and a small excavator in the background during an archaeological dig.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

CFA is an industry leader in green energy and we regularly work on renewable energy projects, including, among others, wind farms, solar farms, and battery energy storage systems. Working together, we can help make the future look more green!

Three white wind turbines stand on rolling brown and green hills under a clear blue sky during daytime.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

It’s #FindsFriday! This week we have a fantastic Iron Age Saddle Quern recovered during excavations in West Yorkshire.

A weathered stone fragment with faint reddish markings on its rough surface, shown from top and side views against black background.

1131

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

This #FindsFriday is a celebration of sherds! (and bones, CBM, and a little iron nail...) We've got all sorts of pots here - different fabrics (the clay material), sherd fragments from different parts of pots (did you catch sight of any rims and bases?), and all kinds of shapes and sizes of vessels.

Close-up of assorted ancient pottery shards and bone fragments carefully arranged in a tray for study.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

This week’s #FindsFriday is a classic – a Romano-British copper alloy brooch recovered during CFA’s excavations for the HS2 project in Northamptonshire.

Two dark greenish brown metal fibula brooches displayed on a white background above a centimeter scale for size reference.

0216

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Happy #FindsFriday! This week, we have a magnificent #medieval jar to share, recovered during excavations of an abandoned moat in Buckinghamshire. Across the whole site, 276 sherds of 11th- to 13th-century pottery were found.

Partially unearthed medieval pottery jar embedded in dry soil at an archaeological dig site.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

CFA's employee photo competition had a great month in December, with lots of exciting and creative entries to meet our theme of 'Framed!'. The winner was Joe, one of our heritage consultants, with this great shot entitled 'Abandoned Quarry'.

Rusty circular frame views an empty cave with a dirt floor, scattered equipment, and blue pallets. The setting feels abandoned and eerie.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

We’ve got with these fantastic clay pipes for #FindsFriday, recovered during excavations of The Great Sea Serpent in Edinburgh. The pipe second from the top has a moulded shield decoration on one side of the bowl, while the bottom two pipes show stamped initials.

Collection of white clay tobacco pipes arranged in rows on a black background, showing various shapes and some with maker's marks and other decoration.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

#FindsFriday! This Roman ring came from a site in Northamptonshire. Although absent in our example, these kinds of rings were often set with a gemstone. The stones were carved with images depicting a large range of topics, from portraits to gods to natural symbols, and were popular and valuable.

A singular ring sits against a grey background above a black centimetre scale. The ring has a spot for a stone to be set which is empty.

0143

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

After a rainy weekend, #TeamCFA is back on site - and very excited to see what treasures we'll dig up at the end of this rainbow! If you were out on site with us, what would your dream archaeological discovery be?

A vibrant rainbow arches over a green field with a mechanical digger near the horizon, all under a cloudy sky.

011

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

We're proud to share that one of our own #TeamCFA members, Josh T., has been elected as a committee member of the CIfA Finds Group! In this role, Josh will help support the group officers in shaping and reviewing standards and guidance relating to artefactual finds work in commercial archaeology.

Person examining an animal bone fragment at a desk covered with various bones and a laptop in a well-lit room.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

We have a ‘fasten-ating’ one for you… I hope we’re not ‘clasping’ at straws for #FindsFriday! These copper alloy brooches show how the settlement enclosures we excavated in Northampton are Iron Age - Romano-British in date and give us an exciting insight into the lives of the people who lived there!

Four corroded copper alloy brooches, laid vertically on a white surface above a black and white centimetre scale.

033

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

CFA's November staff photo competition wrapped up last week, and we're very proud to announce the winner as Graeme with this stunning black and white shot of Dunfermline Abbey! Congrats, Graeme! 🙌📸 #PhotographyCompetition

Close-up of an intricately carved stone column beside a large stone archway in black and white.

020

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

#TeamCFA is busily working across the UK, making the best of the daylight while we have it! We're still in the early stages of this Derbyshire excavation, but the surrounding area has evidence of human activity from the Mesolithic to the post-medieval period and we're excited to see what we find!

Archaeologist in high-visibility gear using surveying equipment on a large open excavation area, with hills in the distant background.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

In 2014 CFA excavated a farmstead near Maryport Roman Fort which showed signs of influence from the fort through an unusual pottery collection and evidence of intensified agricultural practices. intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue61/7/ful…

021

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Four Middle Bronze Age roundhouses were excavated in 2004 at Drumyocher, Aberdeenshire. The roundhouses lay in a row, forming an unenclosed settlement, and featured interesting architectural elements such as paved entrances and long porch structures.

Archaeologists excavating a site with marked grid sections and exposed stones under daylight.

Archaeologist in high vis and a hard hat recording an excavation site scattered with rocks and soil patches.

Detailed archaeological site map showing labelled kilns and four distinct structures within excavation boundaries, including a scale and north arrow for orientation.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

In 2003, CFA’s archaeologists explored the social history of 19th-century farm workers and their families at two terraced cottages, known as Jack’s Houses in Midlothian. Read more about this site, and the cottages' occupants, at journals.socantscot.org/index.php/s…

Yellow excavator digging in muddy archaeological site with large dump truck in background under foggy sky.

Three views of worn and damaged ancient shoe soles displayed on a white background with a scale bar below.

Set of twelve weathered wooden planks with irregular tops and flat bases, displayed against a white background for archaeological study.

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

This #25in25, we’re revisiting East Renfrewshire in 2002, where we excavated a palisaded enclosure which was dated to the early medieval period. This is exciting because ‘palisaded enclosures’ have been around since the Late Bronze Age, but ours proves that they continued into the historic period.

A scanned copy of 6 archaeological drawing sheets, which combine to form a large black and white plan of the archaeological site.

A black a white photo of an archaeological site, featuring a large circular trench feature which was the remains of a palisade.

A black and white photo of an archaeological site. It shows a dark trench, which is the remains of a palisade, with an opening on the right. Two circular post holes flank the opening, showing where gate posts used to be.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Today is World Menopause Day, which aims to break taboos and improve health and wellbeing by raising awareness about the symptoms of menopause and the support options available. themenopausecharity.org/information…

An infographic that says Today is the Day! World Menopause Day 2025

000

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

To kick off our site retrospective celebrating our 25th anniversary, we’re going all the way to the year 2000, when the newly established CFA Archaeology Ltd undertook an excavation at Ballypriorbeg, Northern Ireland and discovered two Bronze Age roundhouses, one of which was complete! #CFA25

A black and white drawn plan of the excavation of a roundhouse.

Two photos. The top one shows an excavated roundhouse within an archaeological site. The bottom one shows a long archaeological excavation site, stretching over a green hilly landscape.

010

CFA Archaeology @cfaarchaeology.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

CFA Archaeology is proud and excited to announce that we are turning 25 on 1st November 2025! As we celebrate our 25th anniversary over the next few weeks, we’re going to take the opportunity to look back on the history of the company and some of our favourite projects. Watch this space for more!

010