Dates for your Diary – April 2013

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.