West Essex Archaeological Group - WEAG

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West Essex Archaeological Group - WEAG

West Essex Archaeological Group, formed in 1958 by Dr. E Rudge, is a local community archaeological society, affiliated with LAMAS and the CBA.

Find us in Instagram WEAG (Registered charity number - 263486) was formed by Dr. Ernest Rudge, then Principal of West Ham College, and a number of amateur archaeologists and
historians

Together with our colleagues at Copped Hall who run sessions for young visitors, WEAG is working to create a set of educational programmes for groups of visitors from schools and coll

eges who want to understand what is involved in archaeological investigations and possibly to visit an actual working site.The Group also organises monthly lectures during the academic year. WEAG had organised and carried out excavations in West Essex since the 1960's. In the early days our most important excavation was of the Romano-British temple at Harlow. During the construction of the M11 motorway the Group excavated several sites revealed by the work, and prior to the construction of the M25 the Group, in cooperation with other similar groups in Essex and Hertfordshire, carried out field-walking along the proposed route. Considerable work was carried out on the Romano-British settlement at Little London, near Abridge. The Group has often worked with the Waltham Abbey Historical Society at Waltham Abbey and maintains close links with the Epping Forest District Museum and the Museum of Harlow. Currently, WEAG is excavating at Copped Hall on behalf of the Copped Hall Trust, investigating the remains of the 16th Century Tudor Mansion.

05/06/2026

Places are quickly running out on our Archaeology Experience Weekends at Copped Hall this Summer! Book soon to avoid disappointment.

11/05/2026

**NEXT TALK AT THE MUSEUM!**

Join us on Wednesday 13 May for a talk by Dr Carolina Rangel de Lima, Project Curator for the British Museum's 'Legion: Life in the Roman Army' exhibition and Doctoral Researcher at the University of Reading.

Dr Rangel de Lima will explore what life was really like for soldiers in the Roman army — a world defined by strict discipline, relentless training, and demanding physical labour. With legionaries serving for 25 years, the role was challenging and often ruthless, yet it offered security, status, and honour.

Doors open 7-8pm, 6.45pm. £7.00 pp. Drinks and refreshments available. Book here- https://www.ticketsource.com/efdmuseum/talk-life-in-the-roman-army/p-eborbj, email us at [email protected] OR phone us at 01992 716882.

West Essex Archaeological Group - WEAG Waltham Abbey Town Council The Waltham Abbey Guide Visit Waltham Abbey Waltham Abbey Historical Society Nazeing History Nazeing Parish Council Ongar Town Council

05/05/2026

Our annual Rudge lecture is fast approaching! We are honoured to welcome Dr Sam Lucy to give a talk on Women, status and religion in 7th century eastern Britain. The talk will be held at Woodford County High School and is free to all. Please do come along!

14/04/2026

Our very own Christina Holloway will be giving a talk about our excavations at Copped Hall to the Waltham Abbey Historical Society this week. £2 tickets for guests!

08/04/2026

Fantastic news! It has been an honour to be able to support the purchase of this nationally significant object and keep it in a local museum for the public to see very soon!

31/03/2026

APRILS TALK
West Essex Archaeological Group is currently excavating at Copped Hall, on behalf of the Copped Hall Trust, investigating the remains of the 16th Century Tudor Mansion. This is a building known as ‘Old Copped Hall’ to differentiate it from the later, still standing, Copped Hall on the same site.

Address

Usually Found In Waterlogged Trenches Or Drinking Tea At Copped Hall
London
CM165HS

Website

http://www.weag.org.uk/

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