Uncontrolled excavation prior to the setting up of the project team had revealed a brick floored trench running parallel to the house, a brick floored ramp leading down into the trench, and a brick staircase leading into the cellar. Controlled excavations to uncover the communication trenches leading to a first world war cellar dugout under 10 rue Delattre, Auchonvillers, Somme, France, began in 1997 and has continued annually since. The excavations have been undertaken at the request of Avril Williams, the owner of the property. The project team is led by Andrew Robertshaw of the National Army Museum, London,  archaeological direction is by Jon Price, and historical research is by Alastair Fraser.