THE Summer of Archaeology is in full swing at the medieval Brockhampton estate, near Bromyard, where both dowsing rods and high-tech gadgets have been used to get answers about the site.

Youngsters from local primary schools, visitors and volunteers have all tried their hand at various techniques, to help decide where archaeologists should dig.

And organisers have noticed there is some overlap between the results of the dowsers and the geophysical surveys, which create a kind of radar-generated picture of the ground beneath our feet.

A spokesman for the project said: "These two surveys have both revealed different results with some overlap between the two. Now we need decide where we should put the excavation trenches in July and August, based on these results.

"So what has been revealed? We won’t know for sure until the trenches go in and we start to excavate the site with help from volunteers and visitors. However it may be that what we have always believed to be a Norman chapel is possibly a much later building or perhaps not a chapel at all. The Norman chapel has always been at the heart of the Brockhampton story, these surveys and the results so far have raised questions about our understanding of this site."

The spokesman added: "Great fun was had by all participants whether it was using the archaeologists’ gadgets or holding the dowsing rods."

Visitors can help to direct the digs by coming along to Brockhampton before a July 12 deadline to see the full results of the surveys and vote for where they think archaeologists should dig.

The spokesman said: "Perhaps you have your own theory about the early history of Brockhampton, share it with the archaeologists when you visit. Check out the archaeologist’s blog at www.summerofarchaeology.wordpress.com to see the survey results and find out more."