Current Archaeology 436
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Current Archaeology’s June Listings: exhibitions, events, and heritage from home
There are lots of great ways to get involved with history and archaeology over the next few months, including exhibitions, lectures, and conferences exploring a wide range of subjects. If you would prefer to get your heritage fix from the comfort of your sofa, though, there is a variety of resources on offer online, too, from virtual site tours and digital offerings by museums to podcasts, TV shows, and more. Kathryn Krakowka has put together a selection of some of the options available.
Understanding Scottish Graveyards
This is the fourth edition of a book that was first published by Betty Willsher (1915-2012) in 1985, with subsequent updates in 1995 and 2005. The original publication came about due to
Excavating Dinas Dinlle before it falls into the sea
The plan now is to fully preserve the roundhouse and leave it open so that people may appreciate the scale of erosion that is occurring at this site.
HMS Northumberland: diving a victim of the Great Storm of 1703
When HMS Northumberland sank off the Kent coast in 1703, the wreck remained lost for almost three centuries – until erosion of the sandbank shielding its remains brought the ship to light once more. Daniel Pascoe told Carly Hilts how archaeologists are now racing against time and tide to record as much of the site as possible before it deteriorates.
A voyage to the past
This September marks 30 years since the discovery of one of the world’s oldest-known seagoing vessels: the Dover Bronze Age Boat, whose remains are pictured here on display in a dedicated gallery
The Cairns and the Newark Project, Orkney
This summer, CA Editor Carly Hilts travelled to Orkney to catch up on recent archaeological research in the islands (watch this space for future features). While there, she also visited exhibitions showcasing discoveries from two more excavations, at Stromness Museum, and the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.
Roman Rural Settlement in Wales and the Marches: approaches to settlement and material culture through big data
Review by Andrew Tibbs. A nalysis of ‘big data’ (large datasets of information) is a technique used to expose patterns for archaeologists to interpret, and it is utilised effectively in this book
Hunter-Gatherer Ireland: making connections in an island world
Review by George Nash. When looking at the prehistory of Ireland, we are instantly drawn to the complex societies that were involved in the construction and use of burial monuments of the
Medieval prayer beads found on Lindisfarne
They were found around the neck of a skeleton during an excavation of a cemetery area.
Radiocarbon in retrograde: the impact of CO2
It appears that, starting from now, it will become extremely difficult to accurately date certain objects based solely on 14C levels.
Conquering the Ocean: the Roman invasion of Britain
Review by Matthew Symonds. Reconstructing Roman military campaigning in Britain poses a fascinating challenge. For some periods, a solid overview of events – from a Roman perspective, at least – is provided
Bringing Glencoe back to life with a replica turf house
The new house was erected by a team of skilled craftspeople using traditional materials, tools, and building techniques.
Victorian gifts: new insights into the Stonehenge bluestones
The recent rediscovery of a series of rock samples collected during the Victorian period has allowed new analysis of some of the stones of Stonehenge. Rob Ixer, Richard Bevins, Nick Pearce, and David Dawson explain more.
News in brief: Culloden Parks and Suffolk gardens
A round-up of some of the latest news from the realm of archaeology in the UK.
The East End Preservation Society
Founded in 2013, the East End Preservation Society (EEPS) is an informal group that uses the power of social media to bring people together who ‘care about the East End and are
Growing up human: the evolution of childhood
Review by Joe Flatman. Growing Up Human examines the history of childhood in the broadest sense, from reproductive options through conception and eventual transference into adulthood, by way of gestation, birth, early
Remains of a Bronze Age roundhouse unearthed in Cardiff
The newly discovered structure sits within view of Caerau Hillfort, one the largest Iron Age hillforts in south-east Wales.
Museum news from London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Glastonbury
The latest on exhibitions, acquisitions, and key decisions.
Going underground: echoes of Napoleonic-era mining found at Alderley Edge
Alderley Edge’s rich mineral resources have attracted the attention of miners as far back as the Bronze Age. Now, though, recent investigations have revealed traces of rather more modern activity, as Carly Hilts reports.
Stratton, Biggleswade: 1,300 years of village life in eastern Bedfordshire from the 5th century AD
Review by Stephen Mileson. This report sheds light on the development of an ordinary rural settlement over the long duration. Stratton was a stræt-tun, a ‘settlement on a Roman road’ – in
Finds tray – copper-alloy strap fitting
This is a copper-alloy strap fitting in the shape of a jester’s head. It was recently found by a metal-detectorist near Warrington in Cheshire. Although the exact date is uncertain, the late
Rock crystal commemorations in the Neolithic
The quartz was brought to Dorstone Hill as whole crystals, which were then worked into smaller flakes, blades, and cores.