Archaeologia Aeliana Series 5

Reflects on the history of the publication and some of the issues involved in producing the latest version, a near complete re-write of its predecessors.

Presents the results of archaeological investigations between 2002 and 2005, prior to and during development of the area. These included archaeological excavations, topographical surveys, watching briefs, and the recording of bastle houses and other structures. This revealed: Neolithic cairnfields and other Neolithic and Bronze Age remains at Bellshiel Law and Todlaw Pike; a Roman Camp at Bellshiel and other Roman military remains; medieval and post-medieval settlement remains; and several bastles. PP-B\r\n

Excavations at two sites on the east side of Oakwellgate revealed archaeological deposits and features dating from the twelfth - twentieth centuries. The principal area of investigation was centred on the former Rectory site, with a smaller area to the south (formerly a medieval burgage plot). No trace of Roman occupation was found, a marked contrast to the extensive evidence of settlement found to the west at Bottle Bank, nor was there any evidence to support the long-held belief that an early church stood to the east of the twelfth century St Mary's Church. At the Rectory, features and pottery dating from the twelfth century suggest that the site was certainly occupied at the time of the first recorded rector in 1275. Substantial structural remains of the post-medieval building were found, including what appear to have been garden features. North of the Rectory were traces of a brick kiln, and waste from clay tobacco pipe manufacture in the mid-seventeenth and eighteenth centuries provided evidence for an industry of which Gateshead was, for a time, the centre on Tyneside.

The shielings at this site have never been described, though a number of them are clearly marked on the first edition Ordnance Survey map and more have been revealed by a detailed survey of the area. Between sixteen and twenty-one dwellings are identified. These are divided into three groups based on the width of the gable; most are multi-chambered, including some with extensions and some with associated stock enclosures, though there are also smaller, single room structures.

1. A Roman folding spoon from Wallsend, David Sherlock, 363-365, fig, refs\r\nDescribes the spoon, made of bronze with a handle in the form of a crouching feline.\r\n2. Nodding scholars, or how an old tile-stamp from Carlisle became a 'new' tile-stamp from Corbridge, M.C. Bishop, 366, refs. Notes the misidentification of a tile-stamp by the author.\r\n3. Celtic Philology and the River Bowmont, Andrew Breeze, 367-368, refs\r\nSuggests that the name of the river is in part derived from a Brittonic term. PP-B