Durham Archaeol J 17

Reports on two geophysical surveys by Archaeological Services University of Durham. At Picktree a cropmark complex was confirmed as a large ditched enclosure of unknown date, along with part of a possible Iron Age/Romano-British rectilinear enclosure and either ridge and furrow remains or fired clay land drains. The survey at Humbledon Hill revealed an enclosure ditch of unknown age plus other anomalies suggesting ditches and pits within the enclosure. Remains of ridge and furrow cultivation were also found.

Describes three sandstone bowls, all with a small hole in the bottom, one with incised lettering. The authors speculate that they may have had an ecclesiastical function and have been associated with ecclesiastical sites near to where they were found.

Describes recent work on the site of the old church of St Mary along with the history of its condition since the eighteenth century. Archaeologically supervised consolidation work in 1995--1996 revealed three medieval cross-slabs used as lintels or sills and the shaft of a Saxon cross, described by earlier authors, two basal quoins and other decorated stones and architectural fragments, as well as several grave markers both in place and re-used in the churchyard wall and a chest tomb. Evidence of a curving earthen bank was found outside the present churchyard, and a resistivity survey indicated a rectangular building between the bank and the current churchyard wall. Evidence of changes to the fenestration and other architectural features, and to the churchyard boundaries, are discussed. A Roman altar previously found on the site and two tombstones which might be re-used Roman altars indicate the possible existence of a Roman religious site. Includes

The Hooper hedgerow dating technique was used to date field boundaries in the Prudhoe area. The technique is discussed, along with its application and factors affecting the results, such as proximity to existing or former woodlands and the presence of lynchets along some boundaries. The data was checked against a chronology based on the T-junction Rule. Both the average and the total number of species are presented with and without the addition of altered boundaries and boundaries with terminus ante quem dates. The author concludes that the technique failed to produce useful results and discusses the reasons for this failure.

Describes a series of Victorian bank buildings designed by John Gibson, in the context of the history of banking in England and Wales during the nineteenth century. Branches in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham and Sunderland are described, and a distinctive corporate identity is revealed in their design and location including the incorporation of the bank's name on the façades.