Compiled by Sue Brooke

SURREY:

Epsom and Ewell History and Archaeology Society – is the local history, archaeology and conservation society for the Epsom and Ewell area of Surrey. Its aims are to encourage interest in the archaeology and history of the area, working to ensure the preservation of local buildings and other objects of historical significance.

Illustrated talks on archaeological and historical subjects. The Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month: St. Mary’s Church Hall, London Road, Ewell – meetings begin at 8.00pm

http://www.epsomewellhistory.org.uk/

DURHAM:

English Heritage Event: Lindisfarne Gospels: Inscribed in Stone Exhibition: Date: From 1st May 2013 to 30th September 2013. Lindisfarne Priory from 10am to 6pm

Lindisfarne Priory is introducing a new display looking at the importance of the priory and its inhabitants around the time of the production of the gospels. The display will celebrate the loan of the famous Lindisfarne Gospels to the North East. By displaying intricately carved original and colourful replica ‘naming stones’, some dating back to the 8th century, the display will answer many questions for visitors who will be making the journey to the original and spiritual home of the sacred text.

http://www.lindisfarnegospels.com/

COUNTY DURHAM:

The Bowes Museum: What is Archaeology?

Thursday 1st August 2013. Explore how Archaeologists unearth the past with Marc from Archaeosoup, and get the chance to handle and analyse artefacts.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom normal admission applies. Booking required. See website for further details.

The Museum is in the market town of Barnard Castle, County Durham situated in the heart of the Pennines in North East England.

CORNWALL:

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 always 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

AUGUST CLEAN-UP – The next clean-up will be held on Tuesday August 13th 2013 at 12.00 midday ‘Three Brothers of Grugwith monument’ (SW7616 1978) Participants are asked to meet at the lay-by just past the Zoar Garage, on the B3293.

*Please note that suitable footwear and clothing is needed although tools or any necessary equipment will be provided*

http://www.cornishancientsites.com/lan.html

 PETERBOROUGH:

Flag Fen

In the early 1980s, English Heritage funded a series of small dyke surveys in the Peterborough region. It was during this survey that Flag Fen was discovered, home to a Bronze Age monument over 3300 years old.

Flag Fen is open daily from 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm) from April to October and is a marvellous opportunity to see the reconstructions and the experimental archaeology.

http://www.vivacity-peterborough.com/museums-and-heritage/flag-fen/discovery/

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. Keep checking for events.

http://www.mbarchaeology.co.uk/upcoming-events/

PORTLAND – DORSET:

The Portland Archaeology Group was set up by archaeologist Susann Palmer to research and excavate the archaeology of this rather special part of Dorset. We are a small group based on the Isle of Portland in Dorset who are passionate about the Isle’s rich heritage . The main excavation site which the group first started on in 1967 was a Middle Stone Age site known as Culverwell (from the nearby natural spring Culver Well). The excavations took place over some 30 years, made possible by the purchase of the site by Susann and a dedicated team working their summer holidays on this beautiful southern tip of Portland. The preservation of part of this important site has made it possible to view the hearths, living and working areas. This can be seen from a wheelchair accessible walkway.

The Culverwell site is about 8500 years old and is known worldwide for being the first, (at the time of discovery), for showing that Mesolithic man was not a wandering hunter / gatherer but actually spent some considerable time in this location, evidenced by shell midden material accumulated over approx 25 – 30 years and analysis showed that the materials was gathered in all seasons of the year. It was also important for the hard evidence of a living area and hearths and a storage or cooking pit. It is also the first known use of the famous Portland stone as building material.

August 4th 2013 2 – 4pm – Culverwell open day with guided tour and hut reconstruction utilising materials that were available at the time. Free admission

August 26th 2013 2 – 4pm – Culverwell open day with guided tour and hut reconstruction utilising materials that were available at the time. Free admission

Parking at Culverwell is free for duration of visit and the site is located on Portland Bill Road south of the village of Southwell and mid-way between the village and Portland Bill. For open day visits in poor weather conditions please check web site or call 01305 783701 or 01305 861576 before travelling to the site as site can get waterlogged

http://www.portlandarchaeology.weebly.com

SCOTLAND

Groam House Museum – An outstanding centre for Pictish and Celtic Art in Ross-shire. This unique display is focused on 15 carved Pictish stones which all originated in the village described as an important centre of early Christianity.

TALK: 15 August 2013 – Groam House Museum in the Digital Age – Chris Moule, Green Envelope Media

Museum opening times: From 29 March to 31 October 2013:

  • Mon-Fri, 11am – 4.30pm
  • Saturday, 2 – 4.30pm

Please note:- space within the museum is limited so it is suggested that groups of over 12 people should contact the museum to arrange a visit. The museum can be visited via public transport using the Stagecoach 26A bus service from Inverness Bus Station. http://www.groamhouse.org.uk/index.asp

NORTHERN IRELAND

North Down Museum – The story of the North Down area, from the Bronze Age to the present day.

Exhibition: Putting Bangor on the Map

North Down Museum has the only complete Folio of Plantation Maps in Ireland, the Raven Maps. These have been digitised and you can see the digitised maps with their additional content and the originals in the Plantation Room.

Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT, United Kingdom

Museum opening times:

  • Tuesday – Saturday: 10.00am – 4.30pm
  • Sunday: 12.00pm – 4.30pm
  • (Closed on Mondays, except July and August and Bank Holidays)

Accessible for people with disabilities. Admission is free.

http://www.northdownmuseum.com/

WALES:

National Museum of Wales

Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP

A 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? A stunning and thought provoking exhibition where you get the chance to see things really close up.

Visit the Origins – In Search of Early Wales webpages

ALSO:

DISPLAY: The Mold Cape.

The Mold Cape is a unique ceremonial cape of gold, made during the Early Bronze Age, around 3,700 years ago. Probably one of the finest pieces of Bronze Age craftsmanship and gold-working technique in Europe, made with great skill from a single sheet of thin gold. It is unique in design with the embossed shapes copying strings of beads.

Normally a highlight exhibit at the British Museum, the Mold Cape is on display at the National Museum Cardiff, before opening at Wrexham County Borough Museum on 7th August 2013.

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/whatson/?event_id=6735