Dear TAS Members and Friends,
TAS Summer Event postponed
Those of you who attended the June lecture will recall that I mentioned plans for a summer event – CSI: TEESSIDE, crime scene and archaeological forensics – in partnership with Teesside University. We were hoping to run this day event in late July as part of the UK Festival of Archaeology. While plans have been progressing very well, with the full support of the University, I regret that we must now defer – not cancel – the event until a later date in the year. Unfortunately, a medical situation has arisen which means the prime organiser is unable to complete the event preparations in time. While the issue is serious enough, involving a period of incapacitation, I am relieved to say that our organiser will fully recover. On behalf of the Committee I’m sorry for any disappointment. We will let everybody know when we’re ready to resurrect the event, preferably during a school holiday so that we can host a wide audience.
The FESTIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY is on!
In the meantime, the 24th Festival of Archaeology runs from Sat 12 to Sun 27 July and promises an exciting range of events across our region.
The festival is the largest celebration of archaeology in the world, with over 1000 events – many free – right across the UK.
Coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, it is run by over 400 museums and heritage organisations to offer the public a chance to have a go at digging and recording finds, watch experts at work and find out about the latest discoveries in their area. You can peruse event listings at www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk.
Competition!
To celebrate an amazing summer of archaeology, with the Festival of Archaeology, CBA are running a fantastic photography competition! There are two categories: ‘16 and Under’ and ‘17+’
- The theme for the ‘16 and Under’ category is Archaeology: A Worm’s Eye View
- The theme for the ‘17+’ category is People and the Past
More info
Roman Binchester excavations
There are also a few weeks left for excavations at Roman Binchester – a truly amazing season this year with large trenches open around a bathhouse in the civil settlement (with walls approaching two metres in height!) and in the corner of the fort where a barrack-and-stable block is being investigated along with a latrine, ovens and corner turret. If you mention to the supervisors that you’re a TAS member, they’ll do their best to give you an in depth tour of the two areas.
There’s a special Roman Army event and open day on Sat 26 and Sun 27 July. I would also highly recommend the excellent excavation blog (web diary) at: http://binchester.blogspot.co.uk/.
More info
Next TAS Lecture
In addition to wishing you a fantastic summer, whatever you are up to, may I lastly remind you about our next lecture on Tue 30 September at 7.30pm in Stockton Central Library TS16 9HU.
Antony Dixon of Oxford Archaeology North will tell us about two quite incredible early prehistoric sites – and equally challenging excavations. The Carlisle ring road dig included Neolithic wooden tridents in a still-waterlogged ancient river channel and caused Europe to run out of plastic sample tubs. An extension to Ronaldsway airport runway on the Isle of Man had to be conducted at night to avoid aircraft and revealed, amongst many finds, a burnt Mesolithic hut (if not a village), and burning means preservation.
I look forward to seeing you in September.
Kind Regards,
Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications
7.30pm in Stockton Central Library TS18 1TU
Please remember to bring your membership card or a completed application form to join. Guests are welcome for £4 each on the door. Refreshments will be available at the end of the lecture.
An extension to Ronaldsway airport runway on the Isle of Man had to be conducted at night to avoid aircraft and revealed, amongst many finds, a burnt Mesolithic hut (if not a village), and burning means preservation.
2014 marks the 370th anniversary of the Battle of Marston Moor, probably one of the most decisive and best known events of the English Civil Wars. The North East is not noted for other landmark events during this conflict but its people played a significant role during the wars. Phil’s talk will give the background to the conflict, particularly the first civil war, the armies, their equipment and tactics, and try to give a more detailed look at the importance of engagements fought, in particular at Piercebridge, Yarm and Guisborough early on in the war, to the later sieges at York, Scarborough, Newcastle and Skipton.
Prof Peter Rowley-Conwy | University of Durham
Teesside Archaeological Society 