Current Archaeology 432

Description

Highlights:

From the Editor:
The picturesque landscape around Loch Lomond has long been celebrated for its natural beauty, including the slopes of Ben Lomond, which attract tens of thousands of hill-walking enthusiasts every year. What, though, is known about the mountain’s historic environment? For the last 30 years, the National Trust for Scotland have been working to document archaeological sites stretching from the lochside to the summit of Ben Lomond. In our cover feature, we highlight some of the key discoveries.

We next turn to an undeniable archaeological icon – or, rather, two, as we trace the life and work of Brian Hope Taylor, and the ongoing impact of his famous excavations at the palatial royal site of Yeavering in the 1950s and 1960s.

From early medieval Northumberland, we then move to Bronze Age Derbyshire, showcasing the intriguing results of a recent rock-art survey in the Peak District National Park.

Finally, we examine more recent history through archaeological investigations centred on a former hospital which began life as a Victorian asylum n the outskirts of York. Some of the project’s finds relate to the people who lived and worked within this institution’s walls, offering thought-provoking insights into how attitudes towards mental health have changed over time.


Cover Date: Mar-2026, Volume 36 Issue 12

Cover Story

‘By yon bonnie banks’: Exploring the archaeology of Ben Lomond Ben Lomond is one of Scotland’s most famous mountains, lying on the edge of the Highland boundary fault, with its shouldered profile dominating the skyline of the Central Belt and…

Features

The history of the ‘Hill of Goats’: Revisiting Brian Hope-Taylor’s famous Yeavering excavations More than 70 years ago, Brian Hope-Taylor led excavations at Yeavering in Northu mberland – investigations that have gone down…
Around the rugged rocks: Examining new rock-art discoveries in the Peak District National Park Recent rock-art surveys in the Peak District National Park have documented more than 40 decorated panels dating to the Bronze…
From lunatic asylum to hospital: Tracing the evolution of attitudes towards mental health at Clifton Hospital, York Excavations by York Archaeology on the site of a former hospital at Clifton Ings have shed light on the institution’s…

Comment

Adapting ceremonies and festivals Diarmaid MacCulloch, the eminently readable author of numerous books on ecclesiastical history, gave his bestselling work on the history of…
Medieval and modern mines: Excavating the CA archive Last month’s column explored prehistoric mines, and this month I will follow up on the topic by visiting medieval and…

News

Views

Current Archaeology Live! 2026 In partnership with: Current Archaeology Live! 2026 is coming up quickly, and tickets are selling fast. The conference, held in…
Current Archaeology’s February 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,…
Hawai‘i: a kingdom crossing oceans A new exhibition at the British Museum explores Hawai‘ian history and culture, as well as the archipelago’s complex but enduring…
Ticking all the right boxes: Broadway, Worcestershire This unique and remarkably well-preserved bone box was uncovered during excavations at Milestone Ground in Broadway, Worcestershire. Dating to the…
Museum news The latest on acquisitions, exhibitions, and key decisions.
The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society Are letter boxes, postage stamps, Christmas and birthday cards, love etters, thank you notes, pen pals, and postcards all destined…
CA 432 Letters – February Saving literary homes and cooling towers Chris Catling’s piece about threats to literary homes (CA 431) is nothing new to…
Finds Tray: Silver seal matrix This unusual silver seal matrix dates to the medieval period, but has reused a Roman intaglio as part of its…

Reviews

How England Began: From the Romans to the Anglo-Saxons REVIEW BY CH Nicholas Higham’s comprehensive exploration of how ‘Roman Britain’ transitioned into ‘Anglo-Saxon England’ brings with it a wealth…
Aspects of the Bronze Age in the Atlantic Archipelago and Beyond REVIEW BY KK Published from the papers presented at the Belfast Bronze Age Forum, which took place on 9-10 November…
Hadrian’s Wall and Its Trees REVIEW BY FEDERICO SANTANGELO Shortly after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, David Breeze gathered an outstanding lineup of…
The Historic Landscapes of Cornwall and Devon REVIEW BY STEPHEN RIPPON The character of the countryside all around us plays an important part in many communities’ sense…
A Landscape of Plenty: excavations on a Roman estate, Cambridgeshire REVIEW BY PADDY LAMBERT This report details the results of a large (3.56ha) excavation undertaken by Archaeological Research Services prior…
King’s Seat, Dunkeld REVIEW BY KK On the threshold between the Lowlands and the Highlands, the King’s Seat fort, 1.5km (a mile) west…

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