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Thanks once again to Sue Brooke for compiling next month’s Diary Dates.
The following events will be taking place next month, why not add one or two to your diary and join in the fun?
CORNWALL
Cornwall Archaeological Society, Regular walks and talks of interest:
The Society was formed in 1961 – it grew out of the West Cornwall Field Club, itself founded in 1935 by a group of enthusiasts who were studying the archaeology of West Cornwall.
Walks - Every month there is an archaeological walk somewhere in Cornwall led by members or an invited expert.
Talks – During winter months talks are given at centres in Truro and Liskeard by speakers, national and local (and including members) who are specialists in their field of interest.
Activities - The Society gives opportunities for those interested in practical archaeology to participate in fieldwork and learn archaeological techniques. Members often take part in excavations run by the Cornwall County Council’s Historic Environment Service (HES). See http://www.cornisharchaeology.org.uk/ for more details.
Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network
‘A charitable partnership formed to look after the ancient sites and monuments of Cornwall, currently working closely with local communities and official organisations to protect and promote our ancient heritage landscape through research, education and outreach activities’.
Volunteers are always very welcome at the monthly clear-ups. These events are a really good opportunity to get a bit more hands-on whilst helping to clear an ancient site in the landscape. This not only allows for physical preservation of the site itself but helps it to be kept safe for others to enjoy in the future. Please note that suitable footwear and clothing is needed although tools or any necessary equipment will be provided.
The next clean-up will be held on Sunday JUNE 9th BOSCAWEN-ÛN STONE CIRCLE o/s 4122 2736. Meet by A30 – starts at 14.00. See website for more details.
DEVON
Barnstaple – North Devon Archaeological Society was established in 1959, and for many years concentrated on providing lectures and visits for members. The society merged with North Devon Rescue, a campaigning organisation which had been instrumental in ensuring proper recording and excavation in the area. At the time of writing there were no events planned for June so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their website. http://www.ndas.org.uk/
ESSEX
West Essex Archaeology Group, Woodford Green. WEAG’s aim is ‘to promote the advancement of knowledge and education by a study of archaeology, history and kindred subjects ‘.
10th June 2013 – London’s Food Plant Remains. Karen Stewart, Museum of London Archaeology
The lectures take place in the sixth form block of the Woodford County High School, High Road, Woodford Green IG8 9LA on Mondays at 7:45pm unless otherwise stated. Non members are welcome to attend – voluntary contribution appreciated. For further information, see the website at http://www.weag.org.uk/
12th March to 22nd June: Exhibition at Redbridge Museum: 1st Floor Exhibition Area, Redbridge Central Library, Clement Road, Ilford. 500 Years of Redbridge Gardens, Parks and Open Spaces, Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free Admission.
Barking and District Historical Society: Harp House, 16 Helmore Road (off Goodey Road), Barking, IG11 9PH
Monday 3rd June: The Princess Alice Disaster, Keith Langridge, 7:30 p.m
KENT
Council for Kentish Archaeology
The Society was founded in 1857 and is now a registered charity with the following objects: To promote the study and publication of archaeology and history in all their branches, especially within the ancient county of Kent.
Much of the County has been lost to London since 1857 so the “ancient county” is treated as including the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, as well as Medway and the administrative county. The Society’s interests are not confined to fieldwork. Its objects cover archaeology and local history in the widest sense.
1st. June: Fieldwork, 10.30, Library
8th June: Council, 10.30, Guildhall Museum, Rochester
22th June: Churches visit to St Mary-in-the-Marsh and St Nicholas, New Romney
29 June: One-day conference ‘New Developments in Kentish Urban Studies’, Old Sessions House
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/diary/
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE/DERBYSHIRE
MBArchaeology specialises in Community Archaeology, Education & Research. Based in Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire and offering educational talks, walks, workshops and courses on a whole variety of archaeological topics.
Derbyshire – full-day field visits that run throughout the summer to sites of historical and archaeological interest.
June 9-22 – University of Nottingham, Southwell Project
June 11th – Talk: Archaeology of the Peak District, South Normanton History Group, 1pm
June 13th – Talk: Archaeology of Creswell Crags, Southwell Rotary Club, 7pm
June 29 – Archaeology Walk: Iron Age Nottinghamshire (see Current Projects tab ‘Archaeology Walks’ for details)
See http://www.mbarchaeology.co.uk/upcoming-events/ for further details
WILTSHIRE
Wiltshire Heritage Museum runs a large number of events, exhibitions and activities both for the general public and members of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society.
6:30 pm, Thursday, 27 June, 2013: A TALE OF TWO VILLAGES: An evening walk around Alton Barnes and Alton Priors, led by local historian David Carson. Find out fascinating facts about the two churches, what the villages used to look like, the civil war, and eye witness accounts of the machinery riots of 1830.
10:00am, Saturday, 06 July, 2013: EXHIBITION: Inspirations from the Bronze Age: an exhibition by six outstanding contemporary designers and makers
http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/ for more details.
PETERBOROUGH
Flag Fen Archaeology Park. The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ
Flag Fen is open daily from 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm) from April to October and provides a marvelous opportunity to see the finds discovered there during excavations, as well as to see some of the reconstructions and experimental archaeology work undertaken there.
WALES
National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP
Static exhibition in The Archaeology Gallery – Origins: In Search of Early Wales. This traces life in Wales from the earliest humans 230,000 years ago. Who were our ancestors, and how different were they from us? What has changed and what has caused these changes?
Visit the Origins – In Search of Early Wales webpages for more details. FREE ENTRY.
Nation History Museum of Wales – St Fagans
Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th June: 2013 Summer food in the Iron Age. Find out what’s bubbling in the Iron Age cauldron.
Saturday – 22nd. June 2013. 2pm to 3pm: Life in the Iron Age. Looking at everyday life in the Iron Age.
FREE ENTRY – CAR PARKING FEE.
CARDIFF CASTLE
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23rd. June 2012: JOUST! A fun event for all the family. For more information: www.cardiffcastle.com
If you have an upcoming event you’d like included in our listings, please Contact Us with details. We tend to publish events near the start of the month prior to the actual event, so please allow enough notice to be included!
Last weekend was a Bank Holiday Weekend in the UK, and with the first real view of blue skies of the Summer, it was time to take to the road for another Heritage Drive. The plan this time was to take a circular route from London, up the A1 to Letchworth, across to Cambridge, then heading south again via Saffron Walden and Bishop’s Stortford back to London, taking in various heritage sites en route.
Turning off the A1M at the Letchworth junction, our journey proper starts with a trip northeast across the ‘Baldock Bowl’, so called by the Norton Community Archaeology Group, who have a long term project running just north of Letchworth on the western side of the bowl, investigating a Class Ia henge with internal post setting and two ditches, amongst evidence of other contemporary monuments. But as we follow the A505 toward Baldock we pass an area which includes another prehistoric monument, the Weston Hill Henge.
Past Baldock, we continue on the A505, which for some of its length follows the line of the Icknield Way ancient track, until just before Royston we see on the horizon to the right the barrow cemetery of Therfield Heath, which we’ve featured here on the Journal before. Royston of course, is named after the glacial erratic stone which features in the centre of the town, close to the entrance to Royston Cave, a possible medieval hide-away or meeting place with some intriguing carvings.
Joining the A10, we next head up toward Cambridge, turning off after the village of Harston, to head toward Hauxton and the Shelfords. Our next scheduled stop is the church at Little Shelford (turn left into Church Lane), where although the church has a web site there is no information whatsoever about the history or structure of the church, which has several old carved stones embedded within the tower, porch and on the southeast wall. It would be interesting to know the history of these stones, but the church was locked on my visit, so I don’t know if an information booklet is available.
Porch stone at Little Shelford church.
Another stone in the porch at Little Shelford Church
Back on the road, we head toward Great Shelford, and the A1301. Our destination is a short distance north east on Granham’s Road. After passing the White House farm, there is a pull-in with a Public Footpath sign. From here we set off on foot toward Addenbrooke’s Hospital in the distance, before following the bridle path round to the left, to Nine Wells nature reserve. This is a small area, with several natural springs, now formed into three separate springheads. In 1614, Cambridge needed a new water supply. Thomas Hobson built a causeway bringing water from the springs at Nine Wells into the city centre. But he had another claim to fame. Thomas Hobson hired out horses, but hirers had to take the horse closest to the door. This led to the expression “Hobson’s Choice” meaning “No choice”!
One of the springheads at Nine Wells
The main springhead at Nine Wells. I counted at least 4 separate springs feeding this pool.
Continuing on, and turning right onto the A1307, we come to Wandlebury Park on the left by the dual carriageway, the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort, within the Gog-Magog Downs, site of Tom Lethbridge’s now legendary hill figures. The hill fort is now part of a Country Park and popular with families and dog walkers alike. The car park was busting at the seams when we arrived and we did not stop to investigate on this occasion.
Wandlebury Ring, Wikimedia Commons, © Sebastian Ballard via the Geograph Project http://www.geograph.co.uk
We then headed down to Saffron Walden, site of a turf maze and Audley End House and Gardens, an English Heritage property, for a spot of lunch at the weekend market in the town.
Cutting back west past Audley End to head south on the B1383 we passed close by the site of the Ring Hill hill fort, now overgrown and as far as I know, inaccessible on private land. The next village south was Newport, home of the Leper Stone, a prehistoric standing stone more recently used as a receptacle for alms for inhabitants of a nearby leper hospital. Also in the town, near the railway station, is a large puddingstone, possibly one of the sites on the supposed ‘Puddingstone Trail‘.
Nearing the end of of own trail, we pass through Ugley, where another Puddingstone lies at Ugley Green, and Stansted Mountfitchet, site of a replica Norman Castle and Toy Museum – fun for all the family is apparently guaranteed!
And finally to Bishops Stortford, where Wallbury Camp, yet another hillfort in this mostly flat part of the country, lies just to the south of the town on a private estate, hidden by trees.
The variety of heritage on a trip like this just goes to show how much it’s possible to see, from many different periods, on a day trip by car from North London. Why not tell us about your own trips?
I make no secret of my love of Cornwall, and on every trip there are certain sites that I return to again and again. The Merry Maidens is one of those sites, located on the B3315 between Lamorna and Treen at OS Grid Ref SW432245.
Although now largely a 19th Century reconstruction, the Merry Maidens is often described as a ‘perfect circle’. This geometric shape is very unusual in ‘stone circles’, which are very rarely truly ’round’, most being elongated or ovoid in shape.
The circle is surrounded by other monuments with the Pipers, two large standing stones to the northeast being the most often mentioned. These are the stones attached to the legend, supposedly being the musicians playing for the girls dancing on the Sabbath who were turned to stone. The Pipers are not inter-visible with the circle, the story being that they ran away when they heard the St Buryan church bells ring. The alignment of the two stones with the circle, SW-NE suggests an astronomical significance.
Gun Rith, on the other hand is very visible from the circle, standing in a field just across the B3315 road to the west. Indeed, the footpath through the circle has been cut in recent times to point directly at Gun Rith, which fell a few years ago and was re-erected in place against the hedge where it had previously stood.
Gun Rith can be seen against the hedge in the distance, in direct line of the mown path through the circle.
To the southwest are the Boscawen-Ros stones, one in a field, the other now part of a field boundary hedge, and both much smaller than their counterparts, the Pipers, to the northeast. A second circle of similar size was recorded by Borlase, somewhere nearby to the east/southeast, but no trace of this now remains. A large Bronze Age barrow cemetery lies to the south-west of the circle, and beside the B3315 road a short distance to the west of the circle are the disturbed remains of Tregiffian barrow – a possible Neolithic entrance grave. The cup-marked stone at the entrance to the barrow is now a replica, the original can be seen in the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro.
Like many areas of West Penwith, there’s a lot to see in a comparatively small area!
On my recent visit to Cornwall, I managed to squeeze in a visit to a site I’ve only been to once before, but have never really seen. Caer Bran hillfort rests on a hill to the south of Sancreed Beacon, and when I last climbed up to the hillfort the area was shrouded in thick mist, which afforded me no overall view of the monument.
Luckily this time the weather was much clearer, though still very ‘damp’, and I was able to get a much better impression of the scale of the fort, which is around 120 or so metres in diameter.
Lake’s Parochial History of 1868 describes the hillfort thus:
“Caer Bran Castle, i.e. Brennus’s Castle, or the Crow castle, stands on the summit of a hill six furlongs and a half to the west of the church; it consists, or rather consisted, of three concentric circles, the greatest being about 240 feet in diameter, and still in some places 15 feet in height; it is composed of earth, and, as is usual in such cases, has a ditch on each side. The middle circle was built of stone, and was at least 12 feet in thickness; a large portion of the stone has been removed for building purposes. The innermost circle is about 30 feet in diameter, and was evidently a sort of citadel.”
The PastScape entry (see link below) mentions only two sets of ramparts, the inner one ‘now very mutilated’.
Caer Bran: The outer ditch today is still quite imposing in places.
The hill fort, which dates to the Iron Age but has much later mining remains within it, is easily accessed via a concreted track south from the Sancreed-Grumbla road at OS Grid Ref SW409295. The hillfort also contains three Bronze Age ring cairns, which pre-date the fort. Though the hill is a bit steep in places, it’s a steady climb to the summit, and I reached the pathway leading off to the left to the fort in less than 15 minutes from the road.
Approaching from the northwest, the ramparts are open for the old mining track that leads through the monument, and I was saddened to see that much of the westerly ditch was quite flooded. On the northern side the ramparts are very well defined, though there is some evidence of animal burrowing activity, possibly rabbits. This activity was mirrored on the southeastern side, but the damage was much more in evidence – although I’m a city boy, I’d guess at badgers from the size of the burrows. From the southwest, the old mining track loops away to the south and west across toward the village of Brane.
The name ‘Bran’ means Raven or Crow, and it would be easy to speculate that the hillfort is named after the same Rialobran (Royal Raven) commemorated on the Men Scryfa, some 4 miles to the north.
Other nearby monuments:
Some 75 yards or so to the east of the hillfort is a small enclosure, noted on PastScape as a pound, with a small mound at its centre. There was some thought at one time that this may be a henge, but this idea is now dismissed. There is no public access to the enclosure that I could see. The area is rich in prehistoric monuments, with the Carn Euny settlement and holy wells to the southwest, Sancreed Beacon to the northeast and Sancreed holy well to the east. Further afield is the Goldherring settlement to the south, Bartine Castle to the west and Brane chambered cairn further to the southwest. On a clear day, the hillfort provides a good all-round view to most parts of the West Penwith peninsula.
More Information:
One of the sites I had on the target list for my recent trip to Cornwall was the Goldherring Settlement near Sancreed in West Penwith. Dating from approximately the 1st Century BC, the site consists of a walled settlement, set within a wider field system, with dwellings, including a Courtyard House, and a nearby well.
Close by is the settlement at Carn Euny, the Iron Age Hill Fort of Caer Bran and Chapel Carn Brea as well as the much earlier stone circle at Boscawen-Un. The Goldherring settlement had three main periods of occupation, starting in the late 1st Century BC or the early 1st Century AD. The field system dates from the 3rd Century AD and in early Medieval times (as well as possibly earlier) the site was used for the smelting of tin.
Located on CRoW access land, on the eastern slope of a small hill some 500 feet above sea level, thanks to clearance work the settlement is surprisingly easy to access.
I parked at the Boscawen-Un layby on the A30 at OS Grid Ref SW409277 and walked back towards Penzance for a couple of hundred yards. The field on the left came to end, and there was a gated track on the left. I walked up the track, following it to the right, then round to the left until the track ended at a gate to a ploughed, cultivated field. Off to the right was an information board, and rough path leading along the field boundary to the settlement, which is located at OS Grid Ref SW411282.
As mentioned, a lot of clearance work has been done, and it’s possible to just make out the form of the elements of a courtyard house within the main enclosure, although a weathered tree is now growing in the middle of the complex. Not a textbook layout, but the basic form is there if you look hard enough.
There is a well nearby to the east, but the clearance work hasn’t yet got that far and I was unable to make my way through the brambles. The site was also used for processing tin in the medieval period, so there’s a lot here to try to identify. Fancy led me to believe that maybe one area may have once been an underground fogou that had subsequently lost its roof but it could equally have been a later storage building. The site is on a slope and the current ground level is very undulating. Would it have been like this in the past when in use I wondered?
The settlement was excavated in the late 1950′s by A Guthrie. A full excavation report was published in the Cornwall Archaeological Society journal ‘Cornish Archaeology’ issue 8 (1969), sadly no longer available from the society as far as I know, though secondhand copies may be obtained at a price. There is some discussion of the age of Courtyard Houses, including that at Goldherring, in an article by Henrietta Quinnell in ‘Cornish Archaeology’ #25, available for download in PDF form.
I would urge anyone in the area to visit this overlooked site for themselves, before the bracken, brambles and gorse reclaim it and it becomes hidden from view once more.
Further information:
- PAROW, brief site report
- PastScape entry
- National Heritage List entry
Compiled by Sue Brooke
The following events will be taking place next month, why not add one or two to your diary and join in the fun?
CORNWALL
Cornwall Archaeological Society
Regular walks and talks of interest:
The Society was formed in 1961 – it grew out of the West Cornwall Field Club, itself founded in 1935 by a group of enthusiasts who were studying the archaeology of West Cornwall.
WALKS – Every month there is an archaeological walk somewhere in Cornwall led by members or an invited expert.
TALKS – During winter months talks are given at centres in Truro and Liskeard by speakers, national and local (and including members) who are specialists in their field of interest.
ACTIVITIES – The Society gives opportunities for those interested in practical archaeology to participate in fieldwork and learn archaeological techniques. Members often take part in excavations run by the Cornwall County Council’s Historic Environment Service (HES).
http://www.cornisharchaeology.org.uk/
Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network
‘A charitable partnership formed to look after the ancient sites and monuments of Cornwall. Currently working closely with local communities and official organisations to protect and promote our ancient heritage landscape through research, education and outreach activities’
CASPN Pathways to the Past, Cornwall are holding a whole weekend of walks and talks amongst the ancient sites of West Penwith:
Saturday May 25th 2013 10.00-12.30pm – ‘Curiouser and Curiouser! ‘ Cheryl Straffon and Lana Jarvis visit enigmatic sites on a guided walk. Meeting at Gurnards Head [SW436 375] and finishing there for lunch if wished.
Saturday May 25th 2013 2.00 – 4.30pm - ‘A stank around the Gump’ A guided walk with archaeologist David Giddings around Portheras Common & Chûn Downs. Meet at North Road layby (near Pendeen) [SW394 334]
Saturday May 25th 2013 8.00 – 10.00pm – ‘Art of the Ancestors’ An illustrated talk by Paul Bonnington about Palaeolithic cave art. At the Count House at Botallack.
Sunday May 26th 2013 2.00 – 4.30pm – ‘Sanctuaries: a lan and a circle’ A guided walk with archaeologist Adrian Rodda, exploring the church at St Buryan, followed by a walk to the Bronze Age circle at Boscawen-ûn. Meeting at St.Buryan church (parking available nearby).
Sunday May 26th 2013 8.00 – 9.00pm ‘ Place names of West Penwith’ – To round off the weekend, local researcher and historian Craig Weatherhill will be chatting about his new research into the original meanings of some of Penwith’s intriguing place names. At the North Inn, Pendeen
NOTE: Each individual event costs £3 but is free to members of FOCAS (Friends of Cornwall’s Ancient Sites). You can join FOCAS at the beginning of an individual event.
For further information see the CASPN web site.
Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network/ Lizard Ancient Sites Network
Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network has a sister Group covering sites in the Lizard peninsula called LAN [Lizard Ancient Sites Network]. With initial funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, a group was set up, consisting of representatives from CASPN, Historic Environment Service, Cornwall Archaeological Society, Meneage Archaeological Group, Natural England and the National Trust. Work continues at these sites and some new ones, and volunteers are always very welcome at the monthly clear-ups These events are a really good opportunity to get a bit more hands-on whilst helping to clear an ancient site in the landscape. This not only allows for physical preservation of the site itself but helps it to be kept safe for others to enjoy in the future. Please note that suitable footwear and clothing is needed although tools or any necessary equipment will be provided.
Tuesday May 14th 2013 - 12.00 noon – Poldowrian Hut Circle [SW 7550 1690]
Meeting at Poldowrian [off the minor road near Ponsongath off B3293]
DEVON
Barnstaple – North Devon Archaeological Society was established in 1959, and for many years concentrated on providing lectures and visits for members. The society merged with North Devon Rescue, a campaigning organisation which had been instrumental in ensuring proper recording and excavation in the area,
Little Potheridge Excavation 11th – 26th May 2013
Starting on 11th May and running until the 26th, there will be a unique opportunity to take part in the excavation of an area known to have been used for clay pipe production. As this is an NDAS project, first priority will be given to NDAS members but we do need people to sign up as there is already outside interest. NDAS don’t need a commitment for both weeks – one week, week-ends or odd days will be fine. If current members could let them know roughly their availability by the end of March at the latest, it will give them time to recruit reinforcements, if necessary.
ESSEX
West Essex Archaeology Group, Woodford Green
WEAG’s aim is ‘to promote the advancement of knowledge and education by a study of archaeology, history and kindred subjects ‘.
13th May 2013 at 7:45pm RUDGE LECTURE:’ The Archaeology of the Thames ‘ Jon Cotton, Consultant Archaeologist
Further information: http://www.weag.org.uk/
Essex Historical Congress
‘Essex Historical Congress was founded in 1964 to bring together all the organisations in the country interested in Archaeology, local history and civic life. Today Essex Congress has over 100 member groups and actively promotes awareness and study of the rich heritage of the County’
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 25th May 2013 at Saffron Walden Museum at 10.00 am.
Further details on the work of the group can be found on their web site.
GLASTONBURY
For something just a little bit different – The next Megalithomania will take place in Glastonbury on 18th – 19th May 2013, plus 5 days of tours. Keep your calendar free for seven days of pure Megalithomania this May.
Early-Bird Tickets and further information on the Megalithomania web site.
KENT
Council for Kentish Archaeology
The Society was founded in 1857 and is now a registered charity with the following objects: To promote the study and publication of archaeology and history in all their branches, especially within the ancient county of Kent. Much of the County has been lost to London since 1857 so the “ancient county” is treated as including the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, as well as Medway and the administrative county. The Society’s interests are not confined to fieldwork. Its objects cover archaeology and local history in the widest sense.
For 6 weeks running from 22 April 2013 ‘Kent and the River. ’ The River Thames has played a vital part in the history of Kent, in peace and war, in work and leisure. This class will look at aspects of the history of the river and its shipping, and the riverside communities.
Lectures in the Library – Morning: 10.15am – 12.15. Afternoon: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/kent-archaeology-events/lectures-in-the-library/
LEOMINSTER
Mortimer History Society
‘The Aim of the Mortimer History Society is to provide a forum for all those who are interested in the medieval Mortimer dynasty, both to study, enjoy and to publicise its eventful history’.
An academic and a practical appreciation of the local and national history associated with the Mortimer family. The activities of the Society are aimed at a wide and diverse audience with a special emphasis on Herefordshire, Shropshire, Powys, and in particular young people.
11 May 2013 – Mortimer History Society May Meeting
18 May 2013 – Blanche Mortimer Dress Display
http://www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk/index.htm
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE/DERBYSHIRE
MBArchaeology
MBArchaeology specialises in Community Archaeology, Education & Research. Based in Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire and offering educational talks, walks, workshops and courses on a whole variety of archaeological topics.
Derbyshire – full-day field visits that run throughout the summer to sites of historical and archaeological interest.
Sunday 12th May 2013 – ‘Archaeology in the Landscape: Langwith-Elmton’
Friday 17th May 2013 – ‘Archaeology of the Hardwick Estate’
Saturday 18th May 2013 – ‘ Hidden Heritage in the Peak’
Costs vary. For further details see the MBArchaeology web site.
PETERBOROUGH
Flag Fen Archaeology Park. The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ
Flag Fen is open daily from 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm) from April to October and is a marvellous opportunity to see the work undertaken.
WILTSHIRE
Wiltshire Heritage Museum runs a large number of events, exhibitions and activities both for the general public and members of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society.
29th March to 1st. September 2013– ‘The Splendour of Stonehenge’ – an exhibition from the Wiltshire Heritage Museum’s extensive collection of paintings, drawings, engravings, prints and photographs of Stonehenge. These date from the 18th century to the present day.
http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/
WALES
National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP
Static exhibition in The Archaeology gallery – Origins: In Search of Early Wales. This traces life in Wales from the earliest humans 230,000 years ago. Who were our ancestors, and how different were they from us? What has changed and what has caused these changes?
Visit the Origins – In Search of Early Wales webpages for more details.
FREE ENTRY.
8 May 2013 1.05pm. Archaeology Lunchtime Talk
‘Technology or Design? Decorating metalwork in the 1st century AD’ Mary Davis, Senior Conservator, Department of Archaeology.
Why and how was metalwork decorated within regions of Britain in direct conflict with Rome? Studying such objects can tell us anything about the varied indigenous societies that produced them, as they adapted to massive social, political and economic changes, accelerated by influences from the continent. This talk will concentrate on analysis of the Seven Sisters Hoard to illustrate some points about style, technology and Late Iron Age practices in Wales.
FREE ENTRY.
22 May 2013 1.05pm. Archaeology Lunchtime Talk
‘Archaeological excavation of experimental roundhouses’. With Professor Martin Bell, Head of Department of Archaeology, University of Reading.
FREE ENTRY
25 May–2 Jun 2013 11am – 4pm. Activity. ‘Pots from the Past’. Make a piece of art inspired by the pots and beakers used to prepare food in ancient times.
FREE ENTRY
St. Fagans: National History Museum. St. Fagans, Cardiff.
25 – 26 May 2013 ‘There’s Something Useful in the Woodland’ an opportunity to find out more about how Iron Age people uses plants to make food, clothing, medicines and beer.
St Fagans is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and Wales’s most popular heritage attraction. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. Please check the website for more details in relation to the timings of talks as these sessions are held both in English and Welsh.
Please note: Redevelopment Project – St Fagans: National History Museum has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Welsh Government to completely transform the visitor experience. Indoor galleries are currently closed as new exhibition spaces are built. The Celtic Village is also closed to prepare the site for a new eco-friendly exhibition space.
There is still plenty to see and visit.
St Fagans: National History Museum is located 4 miles west of Cardiff City Centre, just off the A4232. For satellite navigation purposes use the post code CF5 6XB.
FREE ENTRY but there is a small car parking fee.
For more information, see the Museum of Wales web site.
National Roman Legion Museum
Almost 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire dominated the civilised world. Wales was its furthest outpost and, in AD 75, a fortress was founded at Caerleon that would guard the region for over 200 years. The National Roman Legion Museum displays a remarkable collection of finds from Roman Caerleon, the base of the second Augustan Legion.
FREE ENTRY
Location: Town Centre, Caerleon, Gwent. Follow the ‘brown helmet’ signs from the M4 (westbound junction 25, eastbound junction 26). For satellite navigation purposes use the post code NP18 1AE (recorded as ‘High Street’).
More information see the Museum of Wales web site.:
6 May 2013 National Roman Legion Museum. ‘Eat, Drink and Be Merry!’
Celebrate a Roman festival – just like the Roman festival, Floralia, in Roman times, there will be eating, drinking, games to play, fighting to watch and contests to take part in.
18 and 19 May 2013 National Roman Legion Museum. ‘Do something different’. Learning new things isn’t just for kids and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be fun as well! Join in and try a new skill.
Saturday 18th May 2013 – Gladiator training. Unleash your inner warrior! Footwork, guard positions and hitting things included.
Sunday 19th May 2013 – Roman cooking. Use Roman recipes and ingredients to create a simple meal
*Adults only*
Saturday 18 May 2013 Archery – Jonathan Thomas is an experienced traditional archer. His talk will cover methods and manufacture of bows and the history of bows through archaeology and literature. Illustrated throughout with hands on examples of bow parts, and finishing with an outdoor demonstration of different types of bows and shooting.
CALDICOT
Caldicot Castle Country Park
May 5th and 6th 2013 From 10am – 5pm. Fortress Wales 2013 – Multi-period living history re-enactment and military vehicle show. Really good fun with lots happening.
For updates please check the Living History web site.
Compiled by Sue Brooke
The following events will be taking place next month, why not add one or two to your diary and join in the fun?
SOMERSET:
3rd to 7th April 2013 – Network of Ley Hunters Moot. Wells Town Hall, Somerset.
For something just a little bit different to do over Easter week. This is outside of our usual remit, but some readers may find this of interest. This series of events run by the Network of Ley Hunters Moot includes walks on the Glastonbury Zodiac from Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th and a coach tour on Sunday 7th. The main event will be held on Saturday 6th at Wells Town Hall. For more details please see the event website.
CORNWALL
Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network CASPN/LAN Site Clearance. These events are a really good opportunity to get a bit more hands-on whilst helping to clear an ancient site in the landscape. This not only allows for physical preservation of the site itself but helps it to be kept safe for others to enjoy in the future. Please note that suitable footwear and clothing is needed although tools or any necessary equipment will be provided.
14th April 2013 – Treen Enclosure/Circle
16th April 2013 – Traboe North Barrow
More information is available from the CASPN web site.
Cornwall Archaeological Society
Regular walks and talks of interest:
The Society was formed in 1961 – it grew out of the West Cornwall Field Club, itself founded in 1935 by a group of enthusiasts who were studying the archaeology of West Cornwall.
WALKS – Every month there is an archaeological walk somewhere in Cornwall led by members or an invited expert.
TALKS – During winter months talks are given at centres in Truro and Liskeard by speakers, national and local (and including members) who are specialists in their field of interest.
ACTIVITIES – The Society gives opportunities for those interested in practical archaeology to participate in fieldwork and learn archaeological techniques. Members often take part in excavations run by the Cornwall County Council’s Historic Environment Service (HES).
See the society website for details of all events.
WILTSHIRE
Wiltshire Heritage Museum runs a large number of events, exhibitions and activities both for the general public and members of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (WAHNS).
29th March to 1st. September 2013 – ‘The Splendour of Stonehenge’ – an exhibition from the Wiltshire Heritage Museum’s extensive collection of paintings, drawings, engravings, prints and photographs of Stonehenge. These date from the 18th century to the present day.
13th April 2013 – ‘The Romans who Shaped Britain’ – a lecture by Sam Moorhead of the British Museum. Based on his recent book of the same name (with David Stuttard, Thames & Hudson, 2012), this lecture will look at the lives of the generals, governors and emperors – and those they sought to rule – occupying this western outcrop of Rome’s empire .
Saturday, 13 April 2013 – ‘YOUNG WANHS: Round the Houses‘ – For Young WANHS Members – an opportunity to see volunteers reconstructing ancient roundhouses based on archaeological findings at Durrington Walls. See ancient roundhouses being reconstructed and try your hand at make hazel wattle fences and applying chalk cob (daub). This event is taking place at Old Sarum and booking is essential.
Saturday, 20 April 2013 – COACH OUTING: Archaeological Walk on Salisbury Plain
Roy Canham will be leading a walk to see the landscape surrounding the Romano-British settlement on Chapperton Down. This walk, inside the Salisbury Plain training area, is led by former county archaeologist Roy, who will highlight some elements of the site in detail. It also hoped to see views across the territory farmed from the settlement. Please dress sensibly with stout walking boots or shoes as the terrain is fairly tough. Bring a waterproof coat too as the weather on Salisbury Plain can be quite changeable!
For further details on all these events please see the museum’s website.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE, Peterborough
Flag Fen Archaeology Park. The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ
24th April 2013 – ‘Meet the ancestors’ – At this event the whole family can learn how to excavate like a professional in the newly refurbished dig tent, discovering what archaeology can tell about the people who used to live in the area. Cambridgeshire’s Finds Liaison Officer will be available in the Visitor Centre for anyone who may have uncovered something locally. For more details see the Vivacity website.
NORTH DEVON, BARNSTAPLE
Tuesday 16 April 2013 – ‘Some Designed Landscapes of Exmoor and North Devon’ by Simon Bonviosin. Historic Landscape Consultant.
NDAS was established in 1959, and for many years concentrated on providing lectures and visits for members. The society merged with North Devon Rescue, a campaigning organisation which had been instrumental in ensuring proper recording and excavation in the area, particularly during Barnstaple’s major redevelopment in the 1980s. The society continues to lobby and campaign for proper investigation and preservation of North Devon’s physical heritage. All lectures take place in the Castle Centre, Castle Street, Barnstaple at 7.30pm (parking in the large car park adjacent to the Library) Visitors welcome.
For more information see the society website.
KENT
Saturday 20th April 2013 – Council for Kentish Archaeology Conference
The Society was founded in 1857 and is now a registered charity with the following objects: To promote the study and publication of archaeology and history in all their branches, especially within the ancient county of Kent. Much of the County has been lost to London since 1857 so the “ancient county” is treated as including the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, as well as Medway and the administrative county. The Society’s interests are not confined to fieldwork. Its objects cover archaeology and local history in the widest sense. They include historic buildings, genealogy, industrial archaeology and local history though it is not always active in all these fields. The Society has over 1,200 members, many outside the County or overseas, and welcomes new members who support its objects.
The Conference is entitled ‘Roman Cities and Ports: Londinium and Ostia’. Speakers include:
- Enclosing Londinium: The Landward and Riverside Walls – by Harvey Sheldon
- The London Mithraeum – by John Shepherd
More details are available on the conference website.
LONDON
Wednesday 6th February 2013 to Thursday 21st April 2013 – ‘The General, The Scientist & The Banker: The Birth of Archaeology and the Battle for the Past’
Exhibition at Wellington Arch, Apsley Way, Hyde Park Corner, London – W1J 7JZ
In 1859 two extraordinary events changed the way people considered human existence: a flint hand axe was found in a gravel quarry level with bones of extinct animals, and Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. Darwin’s big idea and the discovery of the axe broke the Biblical version of history. Opening with the book and the rarely seen axe, this exhibition tells the story of what happened next – as archaeological pioneers battled to save Britain’s great prehistoric sites from destruction. In partnership with the British Museum, rarely seen art and artefacts bring to life a tale of Victorian prejudice and vision. Further details of the exhibition are available from English Heritage.
WALES
National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP
10th. April 2013 at 13.05pm. ‘A Very Fair Castle‘ on the River Usk – Newport Castle and its Marcher Lords. Archaeology lunchtime talk with Will Davies, Regional Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Archaeology, CADW. FREE ENTRY See http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/whatson/?view=glance&site=cardiff
St. Fagans: National History Museum. St. Fagans, Cardiff.
6th. April 2013. Drop in activity - Join our resident Celt for a look at everyday life in the Iron Age.
13th. April 2013. Talk: Bryn Eryr – How to Build a Roundhouse. Does Iron Age technology have a place in the modern world? Looking back at what we’ve learned from decades of building roundhouses at St Fagans.
St Fagans is one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and Wales’s most popular heritage attraction. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. Please check the website for more details in relation to the timings of talks as these sessions are held both in English and Welsh.
Redevelopment Project – St Fagans: National History Museum has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Welsh Government to completely transform the visitor experience. Indoor galleries are currently closed as new exhibition spaces are built. The Celtic Village is also closed to prepare the site for a new eco-friendly exhibition space. There is still plenty to see and visit.
St Fagans: National History Museum is located 4 miles west of Cardiff City Centre, just off the A4232. For satellite navigation purposes use the post code CF5 6XB. FREE ENTRY but there is a small car parking fee, see the website for more information.
National Roman Legion Museum
Almost 2,000 years ago, the Roman Empire dominated the civilised world. Wales was its furthest outpost and, in AD 75, a fortress was founded at Caerleon that would guard the region for over 200 years. The National Roman Legion Museum displays a remarkable collection of finds from Roman Caerleon, the base of the second Augustan Legion. FREE ENTRY
Location: Town Centre, Caerleon, Gwent. Follow the ‘brown helmet’ signs from the M4 (westbound junction 25, eastbound junction 26). For satellite navigation purposes use the post code NP18 1AE (recorded as ‘High Street’). More information is available on their website.
By Alan Simkins
It’s that time of year again, when I take a short holiday break in Cornwall, and subsequently there will be a short series of posts about our exploits there. First up, a short look at the Higher Drift Stones.
This pair of standing stones, also known as the Triganeeris Stones, or the Sisters, lie in a field just south of the A30 some three miles west of Penzance.
The field is often in crop, and so is inaccessible, but if you time your visit right, it’s possible with care to get up close to these stones which stand some 18 feet apart, aligned NW to SE. The smaller stone is around 7.5 feet tall, and it’s larger sister to the south a foot taller at around 8.5 feet. The larger stone has a natural diagonal crevice on it’s south face, which is home to a large colony of snails!
W.C.Borlase excavated the site in 1871, and found a pit had been cut between the stones (offset and slight north of centre), but no finds were recorded by him. Despite this lack of evidence, the stones are assumed by comparison with similar stone pairs, to be of Middle Bronze Age date (1000-1500 bce).
Why sisters? This alludes to the common legend found at many Cornish sites where young women are ‘turned to stone’ for dancing or playing on the Sabbath. In this case, as with the Boscawen Un circle further to the west, the musician is thought to be the ‘Blind Fiddler’ or Tregonebris Longstone, which lies half a mile to the west of the Drift Stones. Payne, in Romance of the Stones, suggests that the name Triganeeris could either indicate a farming origin connected with pigs, or more intriguingly via a Welsh linguistic connection, a place to dwell, or to die.
The nearest ancient site to the Sisters is not the Blind Fiddler mentioned above, but the Tresvennack Pillar. This 11.5 feet tall stone sits approximately a quarter of a mile to the southeast, across the other side of the Lamorna Valley. It’s entirely possible that the sites are, or have been in the past, intervisible.
As part of our own September Heritage month I decided to take a drive out from London to see what we could see at the weekend. As friends of ours were dancing at the annual Wallingford Bunkfest, that was our prime destination as we headed up the M40 on Sunday morning.
Turning off at the Lewknor junction with a pair of Red Kites swirling overhead, we dropped south to Watlington, with the route of the Icknield Way on our left running parallel to the road. There is debate in some parts as to whether the Icknield Way is truly part of a ‘Neolithic Superhighway’. Undoubtably there are sections of the Way that are extremely ancient, but whether the entire route was in use as a concerted whole cannot be proved.
At Watlington, the ‘White Mark‘ sits on the hill overlooking the town. The Watlington White Mark was designed by local squire Edward Horne, who felt that the parish church of St. Leonard, when viewed from his home, would be more impressive if it appeared to have a spire. He had this unusual folly cut into the chalk escarpment of Watlington Hill in 1764. It is 36 feet (11 m) wide at its base and 270 feet (82 m) long.
Watlington White Mark by R aaltonen at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
South of Watlington, the Icknield Way splits into Swan’s Way and the Ridgeway, rejoining south of Wallingford, and at this point we turned west toward Benson, the site of the neolithic Benson Cursus, now covered by an airfield. There is sadly nothing left to see of the cursus here.
And so into Wallingford itself across the medieval bridge, which still only allows for single file traffic. Bunkfest is named after the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, also known as the Bunk Line, and is an annual celebration of music, song and dance. The main events are held on the Kine, a green area in the centre of town and there were several craft stalls, a small exhibition of miniature steam engines, the obligatory beer tent, and two stages for bands and the various Morris sides to perform.
Miniature steam engine at Bunkfest
Having met with friends and enjoyed watching a dance or two, we left Wallingford via the bridge again, and headed southeast, toward Henley-on-Thames.
The road between Wallingford and Nuffield runs to the north of a 3 mile long ‘Grim’s Ditch‘ (pdf link) earthwork which is part of the Ridgeway long distance path.
Grim’s Ditch near Nuffield. Chris Heaton [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
Continuing east, Nettlebed has a brick kiln in largely good condition, and a couple of geological curiosities in the form of two large puddingstones (pdf link). Both of these items have information boards available, and kudos to the parish council for including QR codes linking to the local web site on the info boards!
Nettlebed Puddingstones and info board
Continuing through the atmospheric Nettlebed Woods southwest toward Henley, we turned north just before the town to follow the bend of the river then east again toward Medmenham, site of an Iron Age hillfort which sits on a bluff, overlooking the church and the river beyond. The site of a second fort also lies close by, in the grounds of the Danesfield Hotel.
Passing through Marlow, we then headed north on the A404 and finally east on the A40 back to London. Our final stop was at Bulstrode Camp, another Iron Age hillfort in Gerrards Cross. The camp is now a large open space surrounded by upmarket housing, largely used these days by dog walkers.
And thus our Heritage Drive came to an end. An enjoyable, if long, day taking in a plethora of heritage site from the Ice Age (Nettlebed) through to the present day, although there were doubtless a lot of heritage sites that we missed or passed close by to. If you’ve had a similar day, or are planning one this month, why not tell us about it?
September is here, and there are plenty of excuses to get out and about this month to grab yourself some heritage experiences.
Scottish Archaeology Month
September is Scottish Archaeology Month (SAM) and there are a host of exciting events taking place all over the country.
From Orkney to Galloway and Shetland to the Scottish Borders, there are free talks, tours, exhibitions, workshops and hands-on events to help you discover some of the amazing archaeology on your doorstep.
Wiki Loves Monuments
Wiki Loves Monuments is an international photo contest around cultural heritage monuments in September. Starting from the Netherlands in 2010 and organized on a European level in 2011, we go global in 2012!
Everybody can participate and improve Wikipedia in their local and regional neigbourhood. Cultural heritage is everywhere around you, you just need to look and learn!
In every participating country you can win awards, and the best photos in each country continues to the international jury – which will select the best monument photos in 2012.
There are even smartphone apps for Android and iOS which will help you track down and photograph the monuments in your area.
September Site Survey
..and then there’s our very own September Site Survey. Whether you participate in the events above, or just pop out for a day trip locally, please let us know where you went, and your thoughts on the place(s) you visit this month. We’ll collate the responses and report back next month.
Enjoy September!
Update:
For those who prefer the built heritage, how could we miss mentioning the Heritage Open Days project ?
Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.
Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors. It is a once-a-year chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.
