TAS LECTURE | Reminder for Tue 25 Nov | Steve Sherlock: Anglo-Saxon Teesside Redated

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IMG_1313WNovember 25 | Anglo-Saxon Teesside: 30 years on from the Norton Saxon Cemetery | Stephen Sherlock, Archaeologist Extraordinaire

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.

FINDS HANDLING!

Anglo-Saxon remains were initially found in a field beside Mill Lane, Norton in 1982 and the site was excavated in 1984-5. This proved to be the largest sixth-century cemetery to have been excavated in North East England and is frequently discussed as the northern example of Saxon cemeteries in England. Over the intervening period, the dates of some Anglo-Saxon objects have been reviewed and so one theme Steve will address in his lecture will be the date of the Norton cemetery.

Since 1984 other cemeteries have been excavated in the Tees Valley, for example at Ingleby Barwick in 2003. Furthermore, stray finds have been reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme. The second theme will be to update the known burial record for Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in the Tees Valley. This will incorporate the latest discoveries to include new finds and burials found in the area in 2013.

Silver pendants and bead from excavations at Norton Anglo-Saxon cemetery where revised dates are argued. Not to scale (courtesy Tees Archaeology). Header image is a re-used pendant from the Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Street House, Loftus (S. Sherlock).

The last theme for the talk will be the placement of objects within the grave. Anglo-Saxon burials have always interested people because of the range of attractive objects found in the grave. Traditionally these “grave goods” were seen as the personal possessions of the deceased. A more recent view considers some objects to be items placed by mourners at the grave side. Steve will also look at the role of heirlooms and antiques, possibly passed down from one generation to the next, that are for a short period of time in the seventh century, placed within graves.

References
Sherlock, S.J. 2011. Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries in the Tees Valley and Association with Neolithic and Later Monuments, in S. Brooks, S. Harrington and A. Reynolds (eds) Studies in Early Anglo-Saxon Art and Archaeology: Papers in Honour of Martin G Welch, BAR British Series 527, 112–120. Oxford: Archaeopress.
Sherlock, S.J. 2012.  A Royal Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Street House, Loftus, North East Yorkshire. Hartlepool: Tees Archaeology Monograph 6.
Sherlock, S.J. and Simmons, M. 2008. The Lost Royal Cult of Street House, Yorkshire. British Archaeology 100, 30–37.
Sherlock, S.J. and Welch, M.G. 1992. An Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Norton, Cleveland. London: Council for British Archaeology Research Report 82.
Sherlock, S.J. and Welch, M.G. 1992. Anglo-Saxon Objects from Maltby, Cleveland. Durham Archaeological Journal 8, 71–76.

See you there!

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

TAS Desert Island Competition

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DesertIsland

Desert Island Competition!

Along the lines of Desert Island Discs, imagining yourself marooned as a castaway on the balmy Farne Islands (warmer during the Jurassic) with a salvaged trunk of books, we invite you to write about the books – or an experience – that got you hooked on archaeology, heritage and history. What would be in your trunk?

Tell us about your top three to ten books that shaped your fascination, or write about an experience that captured your imagination and interest. Pictures are great too. We’ll publish the winner and runners up in the bumper TAS BULLETIN Journal 19 (for 2014), in preparation now. The winner will receive a bottle of either Benylin or something sparkling – probably the latter – at the January 2015 AGM. Send your entry to teesarchsoc.news@gmail.com by close, Sunday 7th December.

Join TAS today and get membership through 2015!*

*New members only (excludes lapsed membership).
Subscriptions are normally due on 1 January each year.

 A bit of small print: you do not need to be a TAS member to enter this competition, but we encourage you to join and share in the rich, distinctive heritage of north east England. Pictures must include copyright and/or source credit if not your own. The winner will be selected, subject to suitable submissions, by the TAS Committee whose decision is final, and will be notified by email. If under 21, the winner will receive a book token. You can also send entries by post to TAS Chair, 85 Nutbourne Street, London W10 4HL but please do not send original pictures or materials. The prize must be collected at the AGM or subsequent meeting in Stockton Central Library unless other arrangements are agreed. Only subscribed TAS members are eligible to receive the Bulletin Journal in print or electronic format.

Acknowledgement: thanks to Dr Lorna Richardson, University College London, for the inspiration and permission to extend this to TAS. See Desert Island Archaeology at http://desertislandarchaeologies.wordpress.com/

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

TAS LECTURE | Reminder for Tue 28 Oct | Clive Waddington: Prehistoric archaeology at Low Hauxley

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Prehistoric archaeology and landscape change in the North Sea Basin: Investigations at Low Hauxley

Dr Clive Waddington, Archaeological Research Services Ltd

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.

Mesolithic to Bronze Age activity on an eroding cliff face site at Low Hauxley, Northumberland, has been known since an evaluation excavation in 1983.

 

CW_FlintClive presents the latest results from a new large-scale and widely publicised investigation of the site. Finds include substantial and complex geo-archaeological sequences with multiple phases of Mesolithic settlement, Neolithic occupation, Bronze Age burial, Iron Age and Romano-British settlement with structures, a large lithic assemblage, human bones, ceramics, and botanical macrofossils. The results have relevance both for wider studies of prehistoric Britain but also for understanding prehistoric settlement around the North Sea Basin and the effects of sea level rise since the last ice age.

I look forward to seeing you!

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

TAS LECTURE | Reminder for Tue 30 Sep | Stone Age finds from Carlisle and Isle of Man

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FH7.30pm in Stockton Central Library TS18 1TU
FINDS HANDLING!

CNDRflint_400pxPlease 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.

Antony Dickson 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.

Ronaldsway Meso structure during excavationAn 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!

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

TAS NEWSFLASH | Roman Binchester at risk – please sign this e-petition

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Dear TAS Members and Friends,

As many of you may already know from regional and national media coverage, the Church Commissioners are selling a number of plots in the Bishop Auckland area. Two of these, being sold separately, include the archaeological remains associated with the Roman fort and civilian settlement – now renowned for the spectacular discoveries made by the ongoing research project. Dr David Petts, Durham University, has distributed a call-to-action which follows.

The Auckland Castle Trust have not only placed a wholly reasonable bid of £2M but have also set up an online petition which takes a few seconds to complete using the link, below. Once you have signed, and you can add an optional comment too, please take a moment to share on Facebook and Twitter if you have an account. It’s easy using the share buttons on the Change.org petition page. Also feel free to forward this email far and wide. Many thanks.

Save Binchester Roman Fort

A message from Dr David Petts, Durham University

As many of you know, the Roman fort at Binchester, site of our fieldschool, has been put up for sale by its owners, the Church Commissioners. Worryingly, the site has been divided into separate lots. They owners are selling 10 lots of land (remains of the Bishop Auckland Estate) to the North and East of the town. These include Toft Hill Farm, Binchester Hall Farm, and the Bishop Auckland Golf Course (the old High Park). Two lots, Binchester Hall and Binchester Hall Farm bisect the Roman town more-or-less along the alignment of Dere Street. One lot includes Binchester Hall, the visitor car park, centre, and bath house. The other lot includes the remainder of the fort and is associated with the adjacent farm.

Worryingly, Binchester Hall has planning permission for development, which could affect public access to the Roman site. Additionally, if both lots fall to separate owners, any future access to the site, and research, would be at jeopardy.

Auckland Castle Trust have raised substantial funds to help save the fort for the nation, and work with Durham University and Durham County Council to alleviate the risk of development. However, we need for the offer to be accepted by the Church Commissioners. To help emphasise the level of local, regional and national support for this initiative, it would be great if you could raise your concerns with the Church Commissioners through our change.org petition, and helping us circulate this call via email and social media:

Images above | David Petts in the vicus bath house © Northern Echo; Pre-Constantinian Christian finger ring from 2014 Binchester excavations © Durham University.

Press and Media coverage

An assessment of the issues at stake can be read on this blog post, and in the media:

About the Binchester research programme

Information on the recent excavations led by Durham University, which are jeopardised by the proposed sale, can be found here:

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

Header and footer images | Binchester excavations 2014 © S Carter.

Feel free to forward this e-Newsletter to friends and contacts using the forward to a friend feature at the end of this message—they will be able to subscribe securely. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your contact preferences, use the links below or email us.

 

The Committee welcomes your feedback,
questions, suggestions and news.

UNCOVER THE HIDDEN HERITAGE
OF NORTH EAST ENGLAND

TAS NEWSFLASH | New Exhibition : Street House Before Saxons opens 20 July

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2014-07_Kirkleatham_SHBS800Dear TAS Members and Friends,

STREET HOUSE Before The Saxons

  • NEW EXHIBITION opens Sun 20 July at Kirkleatham Museum
  • EXCLUSIVE RECEPTION & PREVIEW for TAS Members and Street House Project Volunteers

This exhibition chronicles the archaeology of Redcar & Cleveland through the excavations at Street House near Loftus between 1979 and 2013.

Whilst many people will have heard about the Royal Anglo-Saxon cemetery, excavated  between 2005 and 2007, there is much more to this area than the Saxon treasure. The exhibition is the prelude to the award-winning Saxon Princess gallery and sets the scene for much of the archaeology of East Cleveland. It will run for one year.

Highlights

An incredible 5000 year journey …

  • Neolithic rock art, pottery, flint tools, axe and macehead
  • Bronze Age burial urn and Iron Age spear
  • Roman jet, beads, coin, pottery and carved phallic stone
  • Plus loaned objects from English Heritage and regional museums

Exclusive reception and preview

For TeesArchSoc Members* and Street House Project Volunteers
Sunday 20 July at 2pm Kirkleatham Museum TS10 5NW

Join project director Dr Stephen Sherlock and Museum staff for a reception with refreshments and nibbles in the Mayor’s Parlour before visiting the exhibition.

*Please bring your TAS membership card.

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

TAS NEWSFLASH | TAS Summer Event postponed : Festival of Archaeology begins

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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

TAS Volunteer Request : Tees Heritage at Risk

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The Teesside Archaeological Society seeks volunteer on Middlesbrough electoral register to contact Council’s Planning Department for fact-finding

AcklamHallDear TAS Members and Friends,

We are seeking a volunteer, preferably a TAS member, who is on the electoral register in the Borough of Middlesbrough and who would be willing to write/email to the Planning Department, under guidance from TAS and the Council for British Archaeology. A request can be made directly (a Council response is usually required within a stated timeline) or under the Freedom Of Information Act (requiring a 20-day response).

  • See the video, below, about buildings already lost to development in Middlesbrough since the 1960s – it makes for depressing viewing. One could add medieval Eston Church in Redcar & Cleveland which was moved to Beamish Museum after years of stone theft (the vestry was stolen!), arson and unchecked vandalism.

The purpose is to request purely factual information about the nature of archaeological evaluations (and their results) that have taken place, or which are planned, in relation to development activities that are either approved/underway or in the application/appeals process. We note that where English Heritage have been involved, they tend to focus on the built heritage structures and not the archaeological landscape (pers comm).

The four focus areas are:

  • St Hilda’s, Middlesbrough
    MbroVulcanThe original location ‘over the border’ for Middlesbrough’s 19th century origins but with Early Medieval monastic forebears and evidence for prehistoric activity – noting the church was demolished and the whole area subject to development and social failure for many 20th-century generations (TAS Bulletin 11, 2006). A linear park development proposal along Vulcan Street is in an area where previous assessments have indicated that important archaeological assets remain (pers comm);
    Development plans include at least 8.1 hectares.
  • Acklam Hall
    Grade I Listed (header image) and cited in the Domesday book, Medieval landscape and natural environment assets all with a troubled recent history;
    56 executive homes and health hub, planning permissions granted early in 2013;
    Removal of 200 mature trees has already taken place (2014, pers comm and see videos, below);


    “A land’s worth should not always be measured in terms of commercial value, but by its value to communities.”

  • Coulby Newham, off Stainton Way
    Housing development almost complete to the west of Dixon’s Bank and Nunthorpe;
    There is (or was) an Iron Age/Romano-British settlement on Dixon’s Bank* very close to this development (Durham Archaeological Journal 12, 1996) and recent investigations at Fairy Dell (this year) have proven Medieval activity on ancient trods (tracks) through this landscape;
    Original residents’ campaign and petition against green-belt development was unsuccessful.
    *Similar Iron Age and Romano-British evidence seems to exist all around this area, largely obliterated by post-WWII and late 20th-century housing developments such as near Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe and St Mary’s Church (1926, see below).
  • Grey Towers, Nunthorpe
    StMarysNunthorpe“New village” (295 executive homes) at Nunthorpe near Poole Hospital site;
    There is an Iron Age/Romano-British site under and around St Mary’s Church, literally across the Stokesley Road, and a Medieval landscape (monastic, perhaps a deserted medieval village) at Nunthorpe Village to the south, plus earlier prehistoric flint finds in the vicinity (NE Yorks Mesolithic Project & pers comms).

“The David Wilson homes project at Grey Towers Farm, Nunthorpe, was opposed by local campaigners but the scheme was given planning consent by Middlesbrough Council’s planning committee. A 3,000 signature petition was raised against the plan. Campaigners objected to greenfield land being used for housing instead of brownfield sites. They also feared it would have an adverse impact on infrastructure, such as congestion.”
— Evening Gazette 06-Mar-2013 »

Image | © Copyright Mick Garratt and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

  • Are there more developments that you would include?

Context

Since the Council’s withdrawal of funding from Tees Archaeology (the regional professional archaeology advisory and HER service), Middlesbrough Council’s planning process (in relation to the National Planning & Policy Framework − NPPF, and Historic Environment Record − HER maintenance) has not been publicly visible. By writing to the Council we aim to learn what archaeological and heritage-related activities they have been undertaking in areas of commercial and residential development. This is not about positioning, only about fact-gathering.

“In these very challenging times of austerity I think we all empathise with the many organisations − governmental or otherwise – who must make extremely difficult choices in the face of present and future constraints on their funding. However, heritage is a fragile and irreplaceable component of our shared environment, our sense of place, social well-being and economic success. It’s the role of organisations, such as TAS, regional and national, to persuade the decision-makers that Heritage and Archaeology can contribute real, tangible value across communities through footfall, tourism, inclusive participation and education. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.” — TAS Chair

Respect Middlesbrough’s Heritage | YouTube video 2:39 | Published 28-May-2014RespectMbroHer_Video

“Over the years Middlesbrough has lost some fantastic buildings. Everyone is in agreement that Local Government has been hit hard with cuts to their budget. However, I believe these buildings and conservation areas are regarded as a liability not an asset and are demolished or sold off when alternatives should be sought after to ensure these places are protected for future generations to enjoy. This collection of photographs shows buildings still very much talked about and missed by residents of Middlesbrough.”

Get in touch

If you are interested in writing to the Council, with support, please email teesarchsoc.news@gmail.com or telephone the Chair on zero-two-zero-eight 962 02 one-one.

TAS is an affiliate member of the Council for British Archaeology, CBA North and CBA Yorkshire.

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

Disclaimer | While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, neither the writer nor TAS shall be responsible for any errors or consequential damages.

TAS NEWSFLASH | York Potash Project public consultations Jun-Jul 2014

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YorkPotashYork Potash Public Consultations

Pre-application public consultation events for key aspects of the York Potash Project

Dear TAS Members and Friends,

The latest York Potash (Sirius Minerals) company newsletter has details of their pre-application public consultation events for key aspects of the still-controversial York Potash Project. These focus on a series of local public exhibitions taking place in July. If you are unable to make these events, please visit their website where you can view their project brochure and give them your views online at http://yorkpotash.co.uk/consultation.

Have your say!

Details
York Potash is currently conducting pre-application consultation on its mine and mineral transport system which include:

  • Mine-head facility near Sneaton village, 3 miles south of Whitby
  • 23-mile sub-surface mineral transport system between the mine and Wilton, Teesside
  • Materials handling facility at the Lackenby/Wilton industrial complex
  • Harbour facility near Redcar steelworks on Teesside

“More details on…other impacts such as Historic Environment and Hydrogeology will be available in the Environmental Statement once the planning applications have been submitted.”
– Project Brochure

The polyhalite would be extracted via the mine shafts and transported to Teesside on an underground conveyor belt system in a tunnel that has an average depth of 250m. Once at Teesside the polyhalite would be granulated at the materials handling facility, with the majority being exported from the nearby harbour.

The consultation period runs from 26 June to 22 July 2014 with regional exhibitions throughout July.

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications

The header image and wording are those of York Potash and do not reflect the views of TAS.

TAS LECTURE | Reminder for Tue 24 Jun | English Civil Wars NE Military Activity

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Dear TAS Members and Friends,

This is a reminder for our next lecture at Stockton Central Library*, Tuesday 24 June kicking off at 7.30pm. Don’t forget to bring your membership card. Guests are welcome for £4 each on the door, but annual membership makes much more sense. Find out how to join on our website.

*Visit our website for travel directions.

Lecture Reminder

June 24 | The North East turned upside down: Military activity during the English Civil Wars | 2014 BONUS LECTURE

FINDS HANDLING!

Phil Philo | Middlesbrough Museums

CivilWar_DE GHEYN, Jacob 16072014 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.

Kind Regards,

Spencer Carter | TAS Chair & eCommunications