World famous archeologist Indiana Jones is facing stiff competition from a team of novices at Grateley House who carried out a successful dig in the grounds of their school in May.

The team of intrepid adventurers were set the challenge of finding some of Hitler's lost treasure, which by a remarkable co-incidence had been buried in Grateley either during a Second World War plane crash - or the Easter break - we are not quite sure which!
The students from Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 drew on the wealth of knowledge shared by the Wessex Archaeological Society during an assembly earlier in the term and despite the rain and mud, they tackled the task in hand with determination. Between them they managed to unearth a variety of rare looking artifacts and were genuinely delighted with their finds.

The project was led by a member of the care staff, Antonio Franchi, who is an archaeology enthusiast. He explained the imaginary scenario to the group on the morning of the dig, using old pictures of the Second World War to set the scene. The students were told that a plane carrying Hitler’s treasures out of Germany crashed while trying to land at Wallop, scattering its load over the school grounds, but they had never been found.

Deputy Head Caroline Lacey said, "When the Wessex Archaeological Society visited us they certainly captured the imagination of the children. They brought along some artifacts and dressed up two of our students as Romans, which really made the subject spring to life. By the time the day of the dig came, many of us believed we were searching for real treasure! It was a very successful day and I have to say the mud seemed to add to everyone’s enjoyment."

What have we here? The historians make a find