Waterloo Uncovered

The groundbreaking charity that combines world-class archaeology with veteran care and recovery.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Great to see the @RHChelsea In Pensioners on parade today for the Governor's review. A nice opportunity for some of our Exhibition programme beneficiaries to reconnect at this wonderful ceremonial event.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏

We have unearthed thousands of musket balls on the Waterloo battlefield. Each musket ball found offers small clues about whether it was fired, who fired it, and where it was fired from.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Did you know that flowers can reveal traces of war?  
On our Battlefields Uncovered programme, we were inspired by the horse remains on our digs to learn about the Battle of Magersfontein and the travel of seeds in horse feed. Were purple poppies inspired by the cosmos flowers?

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏

This swan-shaped s-clasp was likely used as a belt buckle or strap fitting, and was excavated at Hougoumont in 2017. Could this have belonged to someone at Waterloo still wearing last-century fashion?

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Did you know that one of the best ways to improve your wellbeing is by visiting heritage sites?

On our Battlefields Uncovered programme our beneficiaries have been to sites far and wide across the UK and even Canada. The benefits show, with wellbeing across the group improving.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏

This small metal object, excavated on the rear slope in front of the Mont-Saint-Jean farm in 2019, is likely a pipe tamper, used for packing down tobacco in a clay

Could it have been lost by an Allied or French soldier?

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

We had a great day of team planning in London yesterday as we looked forward to the year ahead and even more wellbeing programmes for veterans and serving military personnel.

https://t.co/3lLMcabm3h

#Archaeology #Waterloo #Wellbeing

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏 :

This button was discovered by our team during our 2023 excavation, just 200 metres from the South Gate at Hougoumont Farm.

Can you help us identify which regiment this might belong to? Drop your answers in the comments below!

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

📣 Calling veterans and serving personnel! Applications are now open for our Wiltshire Finds Programme.

📍 Location: The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum, Salisbury

Who can apply?

✔ Veterans and service personnel with a wellbeing need

https://t.co/3lLMcabm3h

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏

This may be a handle from candle snuff scissors, discovered near the farm of Mont-Saint-Jean in 2024 by Dutch veteran Richard from @RecoveryontheB1

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Congratulations to the graduates of Battlefields Uncovered. We were delighted to welcome Trevor Creighton from @butserfarm as our graduation guest speaker earlier this week.

With thanks to @VeteransFdn whose generous grant has supported this educational wellbeing programme.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Wishing Wayne the best of luck for his London Marathon run tomorrow. Wayne is on our Battlefields Uncovered programme, learning about the archaeology and history of conflict.

We will be cheering you on every step of the way!!

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏

This unusual object was excavated at Hougoumont in 2016. Originally thought to be a boot spur, this is a star hook used to secure shako cords. Similar items are still used today by our reenactor community today.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🌟 Exciting day out planning our next Finds in the Community Programme! Stay tuned for more details coming your way soon, including how to register your interest.

Can you recognise where we’ve been today?

#FindsInTheCommunity #CommunityEngagement

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏Finds Friday🪏

Two epaulette fragments identified by Clive, Waterloo Uncovered volunteer and Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards of 1815 re-enactor.

The first - from a discarded uniform, excavated in 2017. The second - a modern reproduction found at Hougoumont in 2015.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Our Finds in the Community Programme, Richmond, recently ended with a VIP outreach session. Our veteran beneficaries presented object biographies sharing their insights into the Battle of Waterloo. A really interesting morning of engagement.

Take a look here!

@GreenHowards

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏 Finds Friday 🪏

The Land Pattern Musket, better known as the Brown Bess, was the standard weapon of the British infantry soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. In 2019, we excavated a broken trigger guard from a Brown Bess musket at Mont-Saint-Jean Farm.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

Our most recent Finds in the Community Programme in Richmond (North Yorkshire) was delivered in partnership with @GreenHowards.

Our veteran beneficiaries were able to contribute to processing several objects from the Waterloo Battlefield. Well done everyone!

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏Finds Friday 🪏

For many of our veterans, the Waterloo Battlefield has become a pilgrimage site for those seeking peace from conflict.

A pilgrim badge, excavated near the châteaux of Frischermont in 2019, serves as a reminder of the power of faith, even in times of war.

[Waterloo Uncovered @DigWaterloo]

🪏Finds Friday 🪏

This incredible wrapped flint, excavated at Hougoumont in 2023, was found in a quarry pit.

The lead wrapping is inscribed “1811” likely the year of manufacture. Identified as French due to its amber colour, in contrast to dark grey or black British flint.