#Seeking Sophie: Have you Triumphed as a Trail-blazing Time 'Tec?!

Are you a Trail-blazing Time 'Tec?! 

The answers to the Seeking Sophie challenges will go public at the end of the month (30 September). In the mean-time, if you think you've triumphed, & would like to check, you'll need to accomplish one last task, to discover the password to the digital vault in which the answers are kept:

Mary's account of the journey to Derby, & Nancy's account of the journey through & beyond the town, end & begin, respectively, at the same place: the vicinity of what was once a fine house for wealthy gentlemen. The public house that still stands (now nearly alone) close to this place has a date on the front of the building: this date is the key!

Follow this link & enter the code to see the answers!

(The answer page will remain available until the end of the month.)

#Seeking Sophie: The Story Concludes!

With this letter from the attorney, Mr. H., the Seeking Sophie story concludes : Miss. S.'s friends have gathered evidence that places the 'gentlemen' at at least one crime scene, when the supposed felon ('Nancy') was behind bars. 

We now leave our antiquarian investigators behind, to let the law take its course - or perhaps (knowing the compassionate nature of some of the players), we might imagine that the villains be given opportunity to flee to the continent to escape justice (instead of meeting their end on the scaffold, or in a convict colony).

Thank you to all those who have been following the story, & having a go at the Seeking Sophie challenges. 

Should any 'time 'tecs' wish to know the answers to these challenges, instructions on how to enter the digital vault in which they are stored will be provided on Sunday (23rd September), & the answers stored until the end of the month (September 2018).  

#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Finds Another Clue!

I append a copy of the note I sent to S. M., after finding another clue - which I suspect may prove very significant!

I now await Mr. H's report from the country, which I hope will enable us to round up our case!

#Seeking Sophie: Mrs. Leach Speaks with Nancy!

In my endeavours to investigate the Seeking Sophie mystery, I was so fortunate as to visit Nancy in the County Jail (where she awaits transportation on false conviction for theft). The following is a copy of the letter I sent to S. M., relating the young woman's testimony of the journey she made with Miss. S. & Mary through the town, & beyond to their place of confinement. 

I provide a map of the town that, in conjunction with the county map already provided, may be used to plot the journey.

I have news that Mr. H extracted further particulars on his visit to the country estate, which I shall forward tomorrow (& I anticipate may be the final piece of evidence required to ensure the release of Nancy & Miss. S. from their respective confinements). 

#Seeking Sophie: 'Nancy's Nook' Investigations!

Stratigraphy: Nancy's Nook Site

For those following the Seeking Sophie story who couldn't make it to Sunday's Heritage Open Days event (‘Antiquarian Academy’ ‘Austen Age’ Time ‘Tec Taster Tournament! - see this post for more information), here's one piece of evidence for the Case File presented at the event: the archaeological 'section' drawing of the evidence revealed through S.M.'s excavation of the hoard site on Miss. S's country estate (as mentioned in this letter).

The challenge was first to put the archaeological layers & features in chronological order (starting with 1 at the top - the most recent archaeological 'event'); a glossary was provided to explain the terms used.

Then examining the artefacts 'recovered' from this site (their position on the section marked by a white diamond shape), to provide a basic chronology for the layers & features (taking into account the 'Laws of Stratigraphy' & the notion of 'Terminus Post Quem' - or 'T.P.Q.'); again information & a glossary were provided to explain the terms used. 

The final challenge was to consider whether any of this evidence (including that revealed from examination of the hoard - also on display) might tell us anything about when the hoard was buried. This clue may be of use when considered in conjunction with evidence to be revealed this week! Mrs Leach was on hand to get participants started in their investigations, and provide help, as required.

Photos of the displays & activities can be viewed in the Flickr album.

The remaining evidence for the case will be revealed, & the antiquarian adventure conclude, this week.