Archaeology in Europe

Archaeological Study Tour to The Peak District and the Fens 1 to 6 April 2010

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:12:08 PST

The EMAS Easter 2010 study tour is to the Peak District and the Fen Country. This area of middle England contains some of the highest and the lowest land in the country, and this topographical variety is reflected in the varied nature of the archaeology.

The Peak District and the surrounding areas are rich in archaeological remains, from prehistoric sites such as the caves and rock shelters at Creswell Crags or the well-preserved henge at Arbor Low to medieval sites such as Peveril Castle or Wingfield Manor. The Fenland area offers a similar range of archaeological periods, with sites varying from barrows such as Hoe Hill to late medieval buildings, such as Tattershall Castle.

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5.000 Jahre Geschichte an der Porta Westfalica

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:10:38 PST

In Porta Westfalica-Barkhausen (Kreis Minden-Lübbecke) haben die Archäologen des Landschaftsverbandes Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) ihre diesjährige Ausgrabung beendet. Neben Funden aus dem 2008 entdeckten römischen Marschlager haben sie Spuren aus allen Epochen seit der Zeit früher Bauern vor 5.000 Jahren bis hin zum dreißigjährigen Krieg entdeckt.

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Iron-age village in Sidmouth?

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:09:36 PST

The parents of 100 children living in Baker Close, Sidmouth, are now fighting archaeologists as well as developers in their battle to keep a field as a play area.

On Wednesday railings went up around two fields opposite Baker Close and Howarth Close, as workmen cleared the area ready for an archaeological dig, following findings during a survey on the land which has been earmarked for housing.

Building is scheduled to start next year and anomalies during a survey, believed to have been prompted by the discovery of Saxon finds, may dash hopes that the field would be retained as a play area until then.

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Archaeologists to study Bronze Age barrow at Stedham

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:07:33 PST

Archaeologists are to study a Bronze Age barrow in a corner of a sand quarry site at Minsted, near Stedham.
West Sussex County Council has given consent for the scheme, submitted on behalf of the Dudman Group which operates the Minsted site.

Stedham with Iping Parish Council was told two other barrows had already been destroyed by operations at the quarry over the years, and this barrow was one of a series of five that extended to Fitzhall, on the Elsted road.

Clearance of undergrowth is due to take place this month in preparation for archaeological trenches to be dug and the findings assessed by experts in the spring of 2010.

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How Sweden conquered Finland in the Middle Ages

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:06:05 PST

A new article is shedding light on how the Kingdom of Sweden was able to conquer and take control the lands of southern Finland between the 13th and 15th centuries.

In his article, "Sweden's Conquest of Finland: A Clash of Cultures," Philip Line examines how the kingdom of Sweden was able to impose their rule on Finland and convert its inhabitants to Christianity. The article appears in the book The Clash of Cultures on the Medieval Baltic Frontier, edited by Alan V. Murray.

Fine notes that many of the sources for this conquest "are both meagre and suspect," but that some information can be found from archaeological sources. Until the 13th century, the area of southern Finland seems to have been sparsely populated with just a small Christian presence. Both Sweden and the Russian state of Novgorod launched raids into the area, and Fine believes that one of the reasons for the Swedes making more aggressive moves into Finland was to prevent the territory and its trade routes from being taken by the Novgorodians first.

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Bid to bring Anglo Saxon gold hoard home

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:04:12 PST

A CASH value could be placed on the Staffordshire Hoard by the end of this month giving Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery its first clear indication of how much it needs to raise to buy the treasure.

Archaeologists from the British Museum are currently casting their expert eyes over the 1,600 Anglo-Saxon gold pieces found buried in a field in near Burntwood earlier this summer.

It could be a tough job as the Staffordshire Hoard being the largest and most significant Anglo-Saxon find ever is completely unique and some would say priceless. The museum’s Treasure Valuation Committee is expected to meet before the end of the month to put its first cash figure on the largest ever Anglo-Saxon find and offer it to the Secretary of State for Media, Sport and Culture.

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The savage beauty of maligned marauders

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:02:54 PST

WHEN we think of the Vikings, most of us probably conjure up images of Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis slugging it out in the famous Hollywood blockbuster.

The film was based on legendary tales from the sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons who are among the many colourful characters featured in Robert Ferguson's masterly book The Hammer And The Cross – A New History of the Vikings.

Tracing the history of the Vikings is notoriously difficult as they weren't literate and their culture was based on an oral tradition of sagas, eddas and the poetry of the skalds. As a result they're frequently portrayed as marauding hordes intent on little more than raping and pillaging.

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Solar Chariot 3600 Years Old Unearthed in Saratov Region

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:01:43 PST

The ancient find is a psalium, an element of harness. Experts state that it is just 200 years younger than the first chariot, invented in that very part of the continent, according to research.

The psalium is made of a bull’s hipbone. Amazing is the craftsmanship of the master who made this artifact, as well as the ideal state in which it has come down to us.

The swastika was once a symbol of the solar chariot. It is corroborated by archeological finds unearthed not far from the Nizhnyaya Krasavka Settlement of the Saratov Region. The site of the ancient settlement of the Arians has been examined by students and professors for three years already. Within this period the expedition acquired around 20 000 artifacts of various value.

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Possible Roman villa found in Ceredigion

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:59:22 PST

ARCHAEOLOGISTS working for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales in Aberystwyth think they have discovered Ceredigion’s first Roman villa.

Unusual markings in summer crops first seen during aerial photography in the dry summer of 2006 showed a great rectangular structure, and footings of a simple rectangular building, buried below fields near Trawsgoed Roman fort.

This summer the site was investigated during filming for a second series of the highly acclaimed Hidden Histories television programme for BBC2 Wales, following the day to day work of the Royal Commission.

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Archaeologists discover Stone Age weapons factory in Leicestershire

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:58:19 PST

University of Leicester archaeologists have discovered a Mesolithic Stone Age weapons factory on a building site near Melton in Leicestershire.

Thousands of tiny pieces of flint remained hidden and preserved by layers of soil for 10,000 years until property developers started excavations for a new housing estate.

Dr Patrick Clay and his team from the University of Leicester Archaeology Service (ULAS) now have the mammoth task of cataloguing around 8,000 finds.

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Roman ruins found under theatre

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:57:25 PST

An ancient Roman ruin has been discovered by builders working on the £25.6m redevelopment of the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

The townhouse, thought to date from between the late second and early third Centuries, is believed to have belonged to a wealthy citizen.

Archaeologists found the remains of the building's under-floor heating, leather shoes, seeds and a plate.

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Time team star digs in for city's history event

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:53:38 PST

TV'S Time Team star Paul Blinkhorm will be going back to his roots when he joins Milton Keynes Archaeology Day 2009 as its special guest.

Before his days on the screen pottery expert Paul began his career in Milton Keynes during the '80s and will be delving into the city's Anglo Saxon past and offering his expert views at the event to be hosted by Central Milton Keynes library on Saturday.

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Balkan Heritage (BH) Field School

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:17:14 PST

The Balkan Heritage (BH) Field School has just opened the application session for six projects in 2010 in Archaeology, Art History, Restoration and Conservation of artefacts and monuments, Fine Arts and Christian Theology:

Balkan Heritage (BH) Field School (est. 2003) functions as a legal part of Balkan Heritage Foundation – a Bulgarian public, non-profit, non-governmental organization. It implements various educative projects in the areas of Archaeology, Cultural Anthropology, Folklore, Art History, Restoration and Conservation of artefacts and monuments, Fine Arts and Theology Europe with participation of students, scholars and volunteers from all over the World.

Balkan Heritage Mission is to support study, protection, restoration and promotion of sites, artefacts and practices belonging or related to the cultural heritage of South-Eastern Europe.

Projects’ location: Bulgaria, Macedonia

Projects’ language: ENGLISH

Projects in 2010...

Bulgaria: Archaeologist Unearth More Valuable Finds in Nesebar’s Necropolis

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:13:02 PST

Archaeologists discovered yesterday precious objects in three new tombs in the Necropolis in the Black Sea town of Nesebar.
The archaeological excavations are being carried out on an area, where the Nesebar municipality intends to construct a building, the municipality’s press centre told media on Monday.

Household objects, mirrors and gold particles were discovered in the three tombs, the press centre said. Their exact nature, value and period from which they date will be determined after a thorough examination.

The objects discovered are the latest of the 650 finds that the team of 25 archaeologists unearthed during excavations over the past 12 months of 950 tombs dating to various historical periods.

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One step closer to bringing our treasure hoard back home

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:07:03 PST

Hopes of bringing the Staffordshire Hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure back to its home county and region have been given a boost after the British Museum said it would not try to buy it.

The news came at the launch of a temporary exhibition of the 1,662 pieces of gold and silver at the London museum.

Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “The British Museum confirmed they are not interested in acquiring the hoard and said that once the valuation is made, there is no suggestion that it will go anywhere other than Staffordshire and Birmingham.”

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Lewis chessmen may have been from different game

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:32:23 PST

A new paper suggests the 12th and 13th century ivory sculptures may have been used to play an ancient Scandinavian game.

Some of the Lewis Chessmen may not have been chessmen at all according to new research.

The 12th and 13th century gaming pieces which were discovered in Uig on the Isle of Lewis in 1831 are considered to be Scotland’s most renowned archaeological find.

The paper by David Caldwell, Mark Hall and Caroline Wilkinson suggests a number of the 93 ivory pieces may have been used in a game called hnefatafl – an ancient Viking board game that pre-dates chess.

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Lewis Chessmen might not be Chessmen

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:52 PST

Some of the Lewis Chessmen may not have been chessmen at all according to new research.

The 12th and 13th century gaming pieces which were discovered in Uig on the Isle of Lewis in 1831 are considered to be Scotland’s most renowned archaeological find.

An article in the journal Medieval Archaeology by David Caldwell, Mark Hall and Caroline Wilkinson suggests that many of the 93 ivory pieces may have been used in a game called hnefatafl – an ancient Viking board game that pre-dates chess.

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Czech archaeologists uncover Europe's largest rondel enclosures

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:36:57 PST

After examining 40 hectares on land, the experts gathered hundreds of thousands of finds. The most important ones include the four rondel enclosures.

The enclosures, of a circle or oval shape and usually of 50 to 200 metres in diameter, appeared in Europe in the Neolithic period. Their inner space was not inhabited. Experts believe they might have served for cult, military or trade purposes.

Over 100 rondel enclosures have been uncovered in Europe to date, including several in the Czech Republic.

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This treasure stirs the West Midlands' Anglo-Saxon soul

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:28:56 PST

The Staffordshire hoard has brought history to life in modern-day Mercia – and it is here that the collection has to return

From the Lindisfarne gospels to the Lewis chessmen, much of British heritage policy is about putting things back where they belong. Now we have a golden opportunity not to commit the original sin, and ensure the most fascinating find in a generation remains where it should.

The Staffordshire hoard, that stunning collection of 1,500 Anglo-Saxon gold and silver goods discovered near Lichfield, has just gone on display at the British Museum with the earth still on it – the hoard's final outing before the treasure valuation committee sets a price to be split between the finder Terry Herbert and the field owner. But once those experts have announced whatever millions are needed, the loot must be fast-tracked out of Bloomsbury back to the kingdom of Mercia.

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Sexuality in Late Medieval Iceland

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:27:12 PST

Is there anything more private than sexuality? And more political? Sexuality has always been used for political purposes, and there are many examples of historical changes where political and sexual strategies of power have interacted. In his dissertation, historian Henric Bagerius at the University of Gothenburg, examines the relationship between politics and sexuality in late medieval Iceland. The results of his research show that sexuality was often used to mark boundaries of various kinds: between chivalrous and common, human and monstrous, and masculine and feminine.

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Donegal brain surgeon at work in AD 800, burial site reveals

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:25:06 PST

BRAIN SURGERY was being carried out in Ireland more than 1,000 years ago – and patients survived.

People with disabilities were treated with compassion and respect within their communities in medieval Ireland but TB and other diseases, possibly including cancer, claimed many lives while others died by the sword.

A multitude of insights about life and death in Gaelic Ireland were gleaned following the discovery of an unknown medieval church and the graves of about 1,300 men, women and children who lived along the banks of the river Erne at Ballyhanna, Co Donegal, several hundred years ago.

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Novice metal detector man discovers 'stunning' treasure hoard

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:24:18 PST

A Iron Age treasure hoard has been unearthed by a safari park keeper using a metal detector for the first time.

David Booth was “stunned” when he found several 2000-year-old gold neckbands in a field in Stirlingshire.

He had driven to the site and parked his car. Then, after taking only seven steps, he found the treasure.

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Doubts cast on Chessmen origins

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:23:18 PST

New research has cast doubt on traditional theories about the historic Lewis Chessmen.

The 93 pieces - currently split between museums in Edinburgh and London - were discovered on Lewis in 1831.

But the research suggests they may have been used in both chess and Hnefatafl - a similar game that was popular in medieval Scandinavia.

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Caesar rises: several millennia's artefacts from the bed of the Rhone

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:51:54 PST

In a dark space in a new exhibition at Arles museum in southern France, underwater sounds play over looped video footage of scientists taking part in digs on the Rhone riverbed.

An intrepid team of archaeologists has been diving for 20 years, struggling with poor visibility, strong currents and flipper-nibbling bullhead catfish to bring up the 500 or so objects on displayed.

In 2007, just when these Indiana Joneses of the water were ready to hang up their wet suits, they bumped into intriguing column fragments, friezes and chunks of mausoleums.

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The Many Mysteries of Neanderthals

noreply@blogger.com (David Beard) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:50:14 PST

We are currently the only human species alive, but as recently as maybe 24,000 years ago another one walked the earth — the Neanderthals.

These extinct humans were the closest relatives we had, and tantalizing new hints from researchers suggest that we might have been intimately close indeed. The mystery of whether Neanderthals and us had sex might possibly get solved if the entire Neanderthal genome is reported soon as expected. The matter of why they died and we succeeded, however, remains an open question.

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