Current Archaeology 435
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An enduring landscape: Uncovering 8,000 years of life and death on the Cotswold Edge
Recent excavations at Milestone Ground on the eastern edge of Broadway have revealed one of the most intriguing archaeological landscapes yet found in Worcestershire. Beneath quiet pasture lay evidence of human activity stretching back 8,000 years, including Mesolithic flint tools, Bronze Age burials, hundreds of Iron Age storage pits, a Roman farmstead, and the largest late Roman cemetery known in the county. Constance Mitchell reports.
Llanbedrgoch: Exploring a unique early medieval trading centre on Anglesey
Ninth-century Carolingian coins from the reigns of Louis the Pious and Charles the Bald are not the sort of objects you would expect to find on a remote farm on the Isle of Anglesey, so, when metal-detectorists began reporting these and other exceptional artefacts from the early medieval period, the National Museum of Wales (now Amgueddfa Cymru) sent Mark Redknap, then Curator of Medieval and Later Archaeology, to investigate. Between 1994 and 2012, Mark led ten seasons of fieldwork on the site, revealing the remains of a trading settlement with a form unparalleled in Wales. With the full report recently published, Chris Catling describes its key findings.
Evidence of medieval fenland use discovered in Burwell
During the most recent excavations there, the team discovered what appears to be a small lode, which may have been used to bring boats further into this settlement.
Friends of the City Churches
The Friends organise a rota of more than 100 volunteer ‘watchers’ to keep the churches open. They put on lectures, tours, and special events, while encouraging others to make use of the buildings.
Ancestors: the prehistory of Britain in seven burials
In this latest book by Alice Roberts, we are taken on a tour of prehistoric Britain through an in-depth exploration of seven of the most famous burials from this period found on
Rare Iron Age idol found in Irish fen
On its recovery, the idol was taken to University College Dublin for an extensive three-year conservation project.
Rethinking the Ancient Druids
In her latest book, Miranda Aldhouse-Green argues that we can broadly accept the portrait made of the Druids by ancient Greek and Roman writers, including their alleged practice of human sacrifice; and
Finds tray – Roman strap fitting
This is a Roman enamelled copper-alloy strap fitting, believed to date to c.AD 100-300. It was found this past winter by metal-detectorist Dave Arveschoug near Middle Rasen in Lincolnshire. Although most of
Buried in the Bronze Age: unearthing a rare log coffin in Lincolnshire
The discovery of 4,000-year-old log coffin and the remains of its occupant in Tetney, Lincolnshire, along with an equally rare stone axe buried with it, has brought together archaeologists from across the field in a massive effort not only to excavate and preserve the wood before it can disintegrate, but also to examine every avenue of evidence that this unique burial can provide. Hugh Willmott, Tim Allen, and Ian Panter report on their ongoing efforts.
Seasons, saints, and feast days
When exactly did we begin to lose touch with the natural cycle of the sun, the stars, and the seasons? Was it at the start of the Industrial Revolution, when people moved from land-based activities to working in factories?
Roman fort revealed in Devon
The first trench revealed the deep V-shaped profiles of the three ditches, highlighting how heavily fortified the site was
‘Archaeology on Prescription’ health and wellbeing project launched in York
York Archaeological Trust, which also trades under the name York Archaeology, has launched a new community project at the former Willow House care home in the Walmgate area of York, specifically designed to improve participants’ health and wellbeing while teaching them new skills in archaeology.
Archaeology in Tokyo: seeking out the past of a megacity
Preparations for the 2020 Olympics saw excavations under way at numerous sites in Tokyo. Simon Kaner reflects on what archaeology tells us about activity in the area before and after the birth of a great city.
Footprints offer early evidence of human occupation in North America
These tracks could offer concrete evidence that humans reached North America before glacial advances closed the ice-free corridor and Pacific Coastal Route
New details of Bristol’s 17th-century plague hospital revealed
Across the country, plague victims were lodged in basic pesthouses constructed during earlier outbreaks.
Taking a new look at life and death in Giza: how the pyramids built Egypt
The ancient Egyptian necropolis at Giza is one of the most celebrated archaeological sites in the world. Although the iconic pyramids dominating the plateau continue to excite awe and curiosity, these royal tombs are only one aspect of an extraordinary site. A new book reveals how the rich and poor, and the living and dead, rubbed shoulders at Giza, as Mark Lehner and Zahi Hawass told CWA’s Matthew Symonds.
Finds ‘of national significance’ on Scotland’s earliest railway
The 1722 Waggonway Project has discovered three phases of early wooden railway in East Lothian
Mass graves of Crusader soldiers identified in Lebanon
Each of the bodies showed signs of serious injury and were buried with swords, maces, and arrows.
Competition: Current World Archaeology Photo of the Year 2022
The winning image and three runners-up will be featured in CWA.
News in brief from China, Guatemala, and Spain
Brief summaries of important archaeological discoveries, including the world’s oldest coin mint, ancient Mayan parks, and a cave painting scene of honey-gathering.
Revealing the Lady of Baza’s true colours
The painted sculpture depicting a seated woman was found inside a burial chamber with other rich grave goods.
Great Sites of the Ancient World
This gloriously illustrated volume takes readers on a tour of 100 archaeological sites around the world. While many of the selections are familiar entries in lists of great sites – such as