Carenza Lewis, who will be visiting Paston during the Dig and Sow project, pictured here at a test dig in Carleton Rode Photo: Denise Bradley

As athletes worldwide prime themselves for London 2012 a group of history fans from north Norfolk are limbering up in preparation for the Cultural Olympiad.

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The village of Paston has been chosen to represent Norfolk in the national Dig and Sow challenge – one of the events making up this year’s non-sporting games.

Residents are getting out their spades ready for the event which aims to dig up the area’s hidden history and then sew a slice of modern-day life back into the soil.

Volunteer diggers will head into the fields, gardens and public land of Paston on May 19, along with archaeological experts, to carve out 34 one-metre deep plots and then sieve the soil for artefacts.

At the end of the dig any uncovered relics will be analysed and the soil will then be replaced and sown with a unique silver charm, representing a story of East Anglian home life, that will act as a miniature time capsule.

The village is intrinsically tied to the Paston family and its letters that provide the country’s best-documented account of medieval life, and this heritage is now hoped to be explored further through the project.

Jo Berry, chairman of Paston Heritage Society, said: “It’s hugely exciting that we might possibly find something that was owned by one of the Pastons and that we have the chance to add more insight into the development of the village.”

Archaeologist Carenza Lewis, who has worked on the Channel 4 programme Time Team, will be among the experts supporting volunteers.

For more information telephone Mrs Berry on 01263 720743.

lucy.clapham@archant.co.uk