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British Archaeology 41
Title
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Title:
British Archaeology 41
Series
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Series:
British Archaeology
Volume
Volume number and part
Volume:
41
Number of Pages
The number of pages in the publication or report
Number of Pages:
18
Publication Type
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Publication Type:
Journal
Year of Publication
The year the book, article or report was published
Year of Publication:
1999
Source
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Source:
BIAB (biab_online)
Relations
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Relations:
URI:
http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba41/ba41toc.html
Created Date
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Created Date:
02 Jan 2016
Please click on an Article link to go to the Article Details.
Article Title
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Abstract
Destroyed; masterpieces of 17th century carving
4
St Brandon's Church in Brancepeth, County Durham, which contained some of the most outstanding 17th century decorated woodcarving in Britain, was destroyed in a catastrophic fire in 1998. This short item briefly discusses the carvings, which were of the Cosin style, and mentions hidden features of the church that were revealed by the fire: the west gable of the Saxon nave, and a number of carved 12th century grave slabs that had been reused. LD
In Brief; Awards 1998
4
The 1998 British Archaeological Awards were presented in November to the people and projects regarded as having made the greatest contribution to archaeology in the twenty-one years since the awards were first set up. The recipients of the awards and their related projects and achievements are outlined in this short item. LD
In Brief; London track
4
Short item on the recent discovery of a timber trackway dating to the middle Bronze Age, on the Isle of Dogs in east London. This was found by archaeologists from the Museum of London, and seems to have been part of a platform on the edge of a water channel in a boggy area close to the river Thames. LD
Iron Age village for summertime only
5
This short item reports on the recent excavation of an unusual type of Iron Age settlement that seems to have been occupied only during the summer months. Located on farmland in Northamptonshire, near Rugby, the site was investigated by the Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit in advance of development. The settlement, one of the largest of this period known in Britain, covered an area of around twelve hectares and included about ninety structures. The heavy clay soils of the area would have been more suitable for pastoral than arable farming in the Iron Age, and the village may represent a summer grazing settlement of a type more commonly associated with the transhumance culture of the western and northern uplands. LD
No small fry in Saxon fishing industry
5
A recent survey of the sites of seven fish weirs in and around the Blackwater estuary in Essex has been carried out by archaeologists from Essex County Council as part of English Heritage's Monuments Protection Programme. This article sets the historical context before outlining the findings from the survey. About five hundred fish weirs are thought to survive around the English coast, the majority dating from the 12th to 14th centuries. Radiocarbon dates from three of the Blackwater estuary examples range from about AD 600 to 950, making them among the earliest in the country. LD
Inexhaustible symbols cut into chalk
Paul Newman
6 - 7
This article discusses the purpose of the enigmatic chalk figures that are cut into a number of hillsides in southern England, and outlines some of the theories regarding their origins. White horses are considered first, followed by a section on hill figures of human form which focuses on the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset and the Long Man of Wilmington in Sussex. Although some hill figures are known to have been created in relatively recent times, such as the horse at Alton Barnes in Wiltshire, cut in 1812, others are of uncertain date, allowing for numerous interpretations. However, where layers of 'original' soil can be identified at a site it is now possible to obtain dates through Optical Stimulated Luminescence. In 1995 samples from the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire produced three dates of approximately 1400--600 BC, suggesting an origin in the Late Bronze Age and challenging widely held assumptions regarding the figure's artistic style. LD
Modern diagnosis of ancient disease
Tony Waldron
8 - 9
Until recently, palaeopathologists have had to rely on their own observations of the changes taking place in human skeletons, aided where possible by X-ray evidence, in order to identify the occurrence of infectious diseases in individuals. However, recent scientific advances have led to a new era of investigation into ancient biomolecules: DNA from bacteria can now be recovered and amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of the applications of the new techniques are outlined in this article. Although the work on ancient biomolecules has been an exciting development, traditional palaeopathology has also brought new knowledge in the last few years; recent discoveries relating to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are discussed here. LD
Luxury and design in Roman gardens
Linda Farrar
10 - 11
This article outlines some of the characteristics of gardens found across the Roman world, before describing some of the archaeological evidence for garden features that has been identified in Britain. Some suggestions are then made for those wishing to create a Roman-style garden of their own, including suitable focal points and appropriate plant types. LD
Old Absalom's wheels keep on turning
David Graham
12 - 13
Farnham Pottery in the village of Wrecclesham, near Farnham in Surrey, is the best-preserved example of a Victorian country pottery left anywhere in England. Although still run by the great-great-grandson of the original founder, the business recently fell upon hard times and, with the buildings in urgent need of repair, the site has been purchased by the Farnham (Building Preservation) Trust, a registered charity. A programme of historical research and recording work has now been undertaken by the Surrey Archaeological Society, in collaboration with the English Royal Commission [RCHME]. This article discusses the history of the pottery, which was founded in 1872 by Absalom Harris, and outlines future plans for the site. LD
Archaeology to capture the public mind
Richard Morris
15
This article discusses some of the factors that can lead to archaeological ideas and discoveries being covered on television news and in the press. Whilst archaeology is a tremendously popular subject, as evidenced by the large audiences for television series such as Time Team and Meet the Ancestors, a great deal of archaeology goes on that is never reported. For a discovery to become a news story, it needs to have a context that people can relate to -- stories about brewing beer in the Neolithic and the possible Mesolithic use of birch bark tar and pine resin as chewing gum have recently achieved wide coverage, for example. However, discoveries that capture the public imagination are the most powerful; an example is the recent discovery of an upturned oak tree within a timber circle on the north Norfolk coast. LD
CBA Update; Field boundaries
18
A report on the protection of field boundaries, published in November 1998 by the House of Commons Environment Sub-Committee, has been welcomed by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) as it incorporates many of the conclusions for which the CBA had lobbied. This short item outlines some of the key findings and recommendations. At present, only hedgerows enjoy some legal protection; the committee has drawn attention to the importance of other kinds of traditional field boundaries and has called for new primary legislation to cover these. In addition, it has recommended an increase in funding for field boundary protection under environmental initiatives. LD
CBA Update; Oxford Castle
18
An unwelcome proposal to redevelop Oxford Castle into a hotel and shopping complex may be revised or dropped, following Oxfordshire County Council's agreement to draw up a conservation plan for the building. The plan will be funded jointly by the council and the Castle Action Group, and will consider the historical and social significance of components such as the Saxon tower, the Norman motte, the medieval well chamber, two 18th century prison wings and a 19th century prison block. Some development will be needed in order to fund conservation of the buildings, but this will have to take account of the conservation plan and is likely to be less ambitious than the original proposals. LD
CBA Update; Schools history
18
This short item reports on a recent campaign to ensure the continuing strong presence of history and archaeology in British schools, in advance of the publication of a draft of the new National Curriculum for English schools. Early indications are that history teaching will be strengthened, and that the teaching of historical skills will continue to place emphasis on the use of primary materials such as sites, monuments and artefacts. The Council for British Archaeology has called for use of the word 'archaeology' in the Curriculum and for the inclusion of prehistory; at present, British history as taught in schools begins with the Roman period. LD