London Churches Quiz
St Paul's Cathedral was London's tallest building for more than 200 years. How high is it?
Heritage
Medieval coin hoard found near Dumfries, and other archaeology stories from around the UK
A round-up of some of the latest news; includes the discovery of one of Scotland's largest medieval coin hoards.
Heritage Dynamics: understanding and adapting to change in diverse heritage contexts
Review by Joe Flatman I do not disagree with anything that Kalliopi Fouseki says in this book about the management of cultural heritage. As she summarises in its conclusion, ‘heritage as a thing and as a process is a dynamic,…
Visitors invited to enjoy tales by lantern light at Tamworth Castle
Visitors can craft their own lanterns in a 30-minute workshop, before taking their creations on a tour of the castle whilst accompanied by a storyteller.
New exhibition at London’s Museum of Freemasonry
The exhibition is free, and is running until 23 December 2023. To find out more about it, including opening times, visit: www.museumfreemasonry.org.uk/whats-on/inventing-future.
Water Features
Outside which French city would you find the Pont du Gard, the tallest of all Roman aqueduct bridges?
Home of Chelsea Pensioners to open to the public for the first time
A Grade I- and Grade II-listed building, designed by King Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren, the hospital was opened in 1692 as a retreat for veterans.
BOOK TICKETS NOW FOR CURRENT ARCHAEOLOGY LIVE! 2023
Current Archaeology Live! 2023 is coming up quickly, and tickets are selling fast. This year the conference, in partnership with University College London’s Institute of Archaeology, will be on 25 February (Saturday) at the UCL Institute of Education, a stone’s throw from our previous venue of Senate House, near Russell Square. Join us as we listen to a fantastic line-up of expert speakers sharing the latest discoveries from these shores as well as further afield (and even underwater). Here are the latest details of what we have planned, and everything you need to know to book your place.
Early medieval quiz
Born in c.673, which early monk is remembered as the 'father of English history'?
This week: the year in review
It has been a year of non-stop turbulence in the news – from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the continuing upheaval of Covid-19, and from record-breaking heatwaves to the return of rampant inflation. These seismic events have provided us with…
Christmas Quiz
Which Germanic god is closely connected to the pagan festival of Yule?
RAF Museum receives Royal Charter to mark 50th birthday
It was granted to the museum by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, ‘in recognition of its objectives to educate and inform the public and members of the RAF about the history and traditions of the Royal Air Force'
Royal Residences Quiz
Which king was the last to live at the Palace of Westminster?
UK exhibitions, events, and heritage from home in Winter 2022 and Spring 2023
There are many great historical and archaeological events on offer this winter, including newly opened heritage experiences and exhibitions, lectures, and events. Or, if you would prefer to get involved in history and heritage at home, there are plenty of resources online, ranging from new digital collections and virtual tours to podcasts, social media accounts, games, and much more. Amy Brunskill has put together a summary of some of the options available.
Conserving Crathes Castle’s painted ceilings
The project involved extensive remedial conservation work to secure the rare, 17th-century painted ceilings for future generations.
DNA, diets, and dealing with the weather
Svante Pääbo is the second member of his family to be elected a Nobel laureate: his father, Sune Bergström (1916-2004) shared the same Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1982. Is there a gene, one wonders, for Nobel-Prize-winning science?
Reopening of museum ship HMS Caroline postponed until 2023
In 1916, she was involved in the Battle of Jutland, the most significant naval battle of the First World War, and the only main fleet action between the German and British navies.
Museum news: from unlocking past lives at the Museum of East Dorset, to changing perceptions at the Museum of Homelessness
The latest on acquisitions, exhibitions, and key decisions
Glass fragments highlight Islamic connections in late medieval Scotland
Discovered at Caerlaverock Castle, the glass fragments are believed to have been part of a vessel made in modern-day Syria, Iraq, or Egypt during the late medieval period.
New experience at Sudbury Hall inspires children’s curiousity about heritage
Children can enjoy posing for a portrait in the Long Gallery and dressing up in the candelit Saloon, before curling up with a book in the Library.
Research reveals Tattershall Castle was an architectural trendsetter
A series of new investigations, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council in partnership with the University of Nottingham and the National Trust, has completely rewritten the castle’s history.
Ancient Migration Quiz
Roughly how long ago did the earliest human migrations begin?
Heritage on the River Thames
I was reminded of his contempt for journalism during the summer, when the BBC and scores of newspapers that consider themselves serious reported that the drought was so severe that the source of the River Thames had dried up.
Ministry of Works Signage Appreciation Society
What is it about Ministry of Works signage that motivates so many people to share images via social media? Partly it is just the fact of their survival, as reminders of a simpler age of heritage tourism before the era…
Archaeology, Heritage, and Wellbeing: authentic, powerful, and therapeutic engagement with the past
Review by Timothy Darvill Using archaeological sites and museum collections in new and imaginative ways to improve people’s wellbeing has become a significant theme in recent years. This wide-ranging volume of essays provides a welcome addition to the fast-growing literature…
Historic maze at Glendurgan Garden restored
The garden was gifted to the National Trust in 1962, and now welcomes more than 85,000 visitors every year.
Final countdown begins for Museum of London move
The Museum of London will close its doors on 4 December, ahead of its planned relocation to larger premises in West Smithfield’s historic General Market. What will the new museum look like, and what is planned at the original site during its final few months? Carly Hilts reports.
Ancient Egypt Quiz
Which city was the capital of Ancient Egypt during the Old Kingdom?
Remarkable Stones Quiz
The historic boundary-marker known as the London Stone, indicating the downstream limits of the City's jurisdiction, is located at which point on the Thames Estuary?
Stained-glass windows of Notre-Dame Cathedral restored following fire
Although none of the stained-glass windows were destroyed or damaged by the fire, many of them, already dusty, were exposed to smoke and soiled as a result.
Doune Castle, star of ‘Outlander’ and ‘Monty Python’, reopens to the public
Built in the early 14th century, the castle is known for its striking 100ft-high gatehouse and one of the best preserved great halls in the country.
A Contemporary Archaeology of London’s Mega Events
Review by Robin Hughes In this engaging example of contemporary archaeology, Jonathan Gardner explores the multifaceted impacts of three London-based ‘mega events’ on the capital: the Great Exhibition of 1851, the 1951 Festival of Britain on the South Bank, and…
Archaeology events, exhibitions, and heritage from home
There is a wonderful selection of archaeological and historical events and exhibitions scheduled for this summer, ranging from the return of Europe’s largest Viking festival to new exhibitions at the British Museum and the London Transport Museum. There are also still many ways to get involved in history and heritage at home, with online museum tours and educational resources, social media accounts, TV shows, and much more. Amy Brunskill has put together a summary of some of the options out there.
The Faversham Society
‘Widening access’ and ‘access for all’ are two of the slogans that characterise today’s heritage practice, but the community-minded people of Faversham have been doing access for half a century. Open House, held almost every July since 1982, sees the…
Study sheds light on 70 years of women football fans’ experiences
Interviews also revealed memories of cheering on players Jackie Milburn and the Robledo brothers, and of drinking Bovril during half-time.
CWA 113 Crossword – May 2022
Across 7 Phoenician city state destroyed by Rome in 146 BC (8) 9 Light cavalryman originating in Hungary in the 15th century (6) 10 Sailing vessel developed in Macau in the 16th century (6) 11 Germanic people who invaded Italy…