British Archaeology (118)

Following a review of the 1857 Burial Act, the Ministry of Justice has decided that archaeologists in England and Wales will no longer be required to routinely rebury all excavated human remains, as has been the case since 2008. Comments on the decision and its implications from university and commercial archaeologists are quoted. LD

Round-up of archaeological news from around Britain, as well as two items relating to Europe and one on the repatriation of human remains from Australia to the Torres Strait Islands. LD

Describes and discusses the first episode of 'Mud Men', an eight-part television series about mudlarking on the Thames foreshore in London broadcast on the History Channel. LD

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has more money than expected to give to new projects over the next two financial years, and has launched a public consultation as part of a review of priorities, programmes and processes. This article explains what the HLF is and how it has supported the conservation, understanding and enjoyment of archaeology in the past, using a project at Fin Cop hillfort in the Peak District as an example of how community archaeology has benefitted. The extra revenue is placed within the context of reductions to heritage funding elsewhere. LD

Six archaeological sites across Britain and Ireland are described that are being or may soon be destroyed as a result of various factors, and which cannot be saved by professional archaeologists alone. Working with local volunteers and communities to record whatever possible can be a way forward. The featured sites comprise: a Mesolithic landscape and Bronze Age cemetery at Low Hauxley, Northumberland, currently being eroded by the sea; an Iron Age settlement at Sloc Sabhaidh, North Uist, endangered by the sea; Roman forts in Devon, threatened by arable farming; prehistoric and medieval fisheries at Fergus Estuary, County Clare, Ireland, threatened by rising sea levels and coastal erosion; Hubberston Fort, Pembrokeshire, a 19th century barracks and gun battery, damaged by vandalism and neglect; and a World War Two air raid shelter at Waverley Road, London, threatened by proposed housing development. LD

Mick Aston visits the remains of medieval monasteries that were home to hermit monks, in France and on the Welsh border.

A new website launched by English Heritage aims to introduce the archaeology of the newly established South Downs National Park to as wide an audience as possible, and to communicate the excitement of research and discovery. LD

Discusses the brand image of companies that provide archaeological services, suggesting that the trade names of commercial units fail to conjure up the excitement and drama of the subject. Convincing the country that archaeology matters to everyone is important in the current economic climate. The way to achieve this is not through monographs and the minutes of specialist study groups, but instead lies in branding, marketing and PR. LD