Issue 4 October 2010

Welcome!
This is the fourth edition of the CBA SW Newsletter in its new format, and
it seems that the new look continues to find favour with our readers. As for
the content, this continues to evolve: this time something of a theme has
emerged with the South West taking a prominent place on the national stage.
Not only is the CBA Weekend Meeting taking place in Cornwall this year (see
page 3), but two major archaeological events have brought the South West -
and more specifically Somerset - into national prominence, and, what’s more,
on the major news pages, rather than tucked away in the specialist interest
sections. There is, however, one way in which the newsletter’s contents fall
short of our own ambitions, and that is that they remain rather too top down:
we do hope that, as the newsletter becomes more established, it will be used
by you, its readers, to share your news, views, plans and experiences. We give
all of our contact details on the back page: do please make use of them!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

30 September and 7 October, Bristol and
London Docklands: MIRO workshops on
minerals in the historic environment (page 10)

15-17 October, Truro: CBA Weekend Meeting

(page 3)

20 October in Wells, and 12-13 March 2011

in Dunster: SANHS symposia (page 9)

30-31 October, Cardiff University: conference

on Emperors, Usurpers and Tyrants (page 10).

images from www.archaeology.co.uk/news-features/frome-

hoard.htm

THE FROME HOARD HITS THE

NATIONAL HEADLINES
In our previous edition we carried an article
about the discoveries of a metal detectorist
and about the role of the Portable Antiquities
Scheme (Issue 3, June 2010, page 15). The
1
Iron Age objects found in Cornwall were
remarkable and significant, but have been
somewhat upstaged by the find reported
by David Crisp from a field near Frome. He
originally found 21 coins, but then came
across a ceramic pot filled with more. He
contacted Anna Booth, Finds Liaison Officer
for Somerset, who arranged for the pot and
its contents to be professionally excavated.
The outcome is the largest coin hoard ever
found in Britain, and the second largest
treasure hoard.
The pot containing the coins was broken, and
the coins were removed in 12 layers, with
each layer containing up to 16 separate bags
of coins, representing 67 different types. Of
the total of more than 52,500 items, 44,245
have been provisionally identified and are
now being conserved by experts at the
British Museum. They have been dated to the
period AD 253-293, and most are made from
debased silver or bronze, with a total weight
of around 160 kg. This places them in the
reign of Carausius, the leader of a separatist
regime who ruled Britain independently from
AD 286 to 293, a time when the Empire was
beset by “barbarian invasions, economic
2
crises and coalition government” (!).
Because of the weight of the coins and the
fragility of the pot, it is thought that the pot
was first buried in the ground and then the
coins poured into it. This in turn implies that
whoever consigned the equivalent of four
years’ pay for a legionary soldier to the earth
was not intending to recover it, but was
making an offering on behalf of an agricultural
community for a good harvest and favourable
weather.
Samples from the collection have been
exhibited at the British Museum and at Frome
Library, where they attracted enormous public
interest. The hoard has now been officially
designated as Treasure, and a valuation is
to be agreed in October. Work has already
started on raising the funds to acquire the
collection for the nation, with the intention
of putting it on permanent display in the new
Museum of Somerset when it opens in 2011.
for further information on the Frome hoard:
contact Anna Booth, Finds Liaison Officer, Somerset
County Council
address Somerset County Museums Service, Somerset
Heritage Centre, Brunel Way, Norton
Fitzwarren, Taunton TA2 6SF
email ALBooth@somerset.gov.uk
phone 01823 347457
web http://finds.org.uk/blogs/fromehoard/
www.archaeology.co.uk/news-features/
frome-hoard.htm
... AND NOW: ANOTHER FIRST FOR
SOMERSET......
New carbon dating techniques have revealed
that some of the first humans to recolonise
Britain after the last Ice Age 14,700 years ago
were living in Gough’s Cave in the Cheddar
Gorge, and practicing cannibalism.
Recent research has shown that tribes of
hunter-gatherers moved into Britain from
Spain and France with extraordinary rapidity
once global warming made this possible. The
group that settled in the Mendip Hills was
already known to have practiced cannibalism,
but a fresh analysis of the cut marks left
on the remains of animals and humans has
now established that they were deliberately
killing both types of victim, and then using
sophisticated butchering techniques to strip
every bit of food from the bones; in other
words, this was not ritual activity but hunting.
As a result of this new research, the resettling
of Britain is now seen as “rapid, dramatic and
bloody” rather than gradual.
Gough’s Cave today. Image from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
science/nature/8151524.stm
3
to find out more about colonisation and cannibalism in the
Mendip Hills:
web www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jun/20/ice-
age-cannibals-britain-earliest-settlers
... AND A MAJOR COUP FOR
CORNWALL!
The enormous significance of both of these
news items from Somerset is bound to be a
major talking point in Cornwall, when the CBA
convenes for its national weekend meeting
from 15 to 17 October in Truro. Full details
of this event were covered in our previous
edition (Issue 3, June 2010, pages 3-4); suffice
it to say that there will be a rich mix of guided
site visits, talks and presentations, as well as
much networking and socialising, supported
by some splendid hospitality.
Image from www.iknow-cornwall.co.uk via the CBA website.
If you have not yet signed up to take part
in this major event, and to help welcome
colleagues from across the country to our
region, you may still have time!
for further information about the CBA Weekend in Cornwall:
phone 01904 671417
address CBA, St Mary’s House, 66 Bootham, York YO30
7BZ
email marketing@britarch.ac.uk
web www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/weekend
Colleagues in Cornwall are naturally looking
forward to the CBA visit in October. As well
as all the various activities of the county’s
Historic Environment Service, there is an
active Cornwall Archaeological Society plus a
unique collaboration between archaeologists
and volunteers, the Cornish Ancient Sites
Protection Network (CASPN); this has now
been running for over 10 years, and helps
to look after and protect the ancient sites
in West Penwith and Lizard (LAN) areas of
Cornwall. In Issue 2 (January 2010, pages 1-2)
we reported on the system of site monitors
and the programme of monthly clear-ups at
various sites that have become overgrown
and lost for quite a few years. Working
with local farmers, landowners, and groups
such as Natural England and the National
Trust, CASPN & LAN have established good
relationships with site owners, and have an
enthusiastic and willing team of volunteers
who venture out in all weathers to help look
after the sites and clear them of gorse and
vegetation. Recently, CASPN’s work at one
particular monument, the Mên-an-Tol, has
been recognised by English Heritage, who
have signed a Management Agreement for
the Group to look after the site.
Cornwall has one of the densest
concentrations of ancient sites in western
Europe, and one of the highest visitor footfalls
to them, so CASPN & LAN’s work has become
an essential part of maintaining a positive
visitor experience. Naturally the members
of both groups hope that visitors to the CBA
weekend in October will have an enjoyable
experience while adding to that footfall!
Volunteers at Roskruge Barton.
4
to find out more about CASPN and LAN:
web www.cornishancientsites.com
BUT WHEN DID CORNWALL BECOME
ENGLISH?
This is not a leaked question from a pub
quiz planned for the CBA Weekend, but the
title of a series of lectures to be given in
November by Dr Oliver Padel. The talks will
be given at the Royal Cornwall Museum, and
will examine the evidence for when Cornwall
became a county of England, and the extent
to which Cornish was spoken in the 14th and
15th centuries. The first talk is at 2 pm on 13
November, and the second and third at 10.30
am on 20 and 27 November.
for further information about the talks on when Cornwall
became English:
phone 01872 272205
email enquiries@royalornwallmuseum.org.uk
AND NOW .... NEWS OF A YOUNG
ARCHAEOLOGISTS CLUB AT THE OTHER
END OF OUR REGION
Last time (Issue 3, June 2010, pages 10-11)
we reported on Young Archaeologist Clubs in
general, and in particular on the work being
undertaken by the group in West Wiltshire.
Now, their neighbours in North Wilts have
come forward with news of their activities.
YAC North Wiltshire meets once a month, and
they are based in English Heritage’s National
Monuments Record Centre in Swindon.
Because their regular meeting rooms had to
be taken over to house staff, they have been
out and about more than usual, even to the
extent of visiting Avebury in January!
During their visit to Ringsbury Camp, a local
hillfort, members learnt how to make hazel
hurdles, as used in managing Iron Age sheep.
In June they were introduced to geophysical
surveying by Vaughan Roberts and Jim
Gunter, who demonstrated how to lay out a
grid and operate a Resistivity meter, following
which the group used their new skills to look
for evidence of fences or walls which showed
up on an aerial photograph from 1947. The
autumn programme includes opportunities to
find out about henge monuments and Roman
settlements, while December always features
a seasonal party, which this year will have a
Viking theme.
to find out more about YAC North Wilts:
contact Katy Whitaker
email katywhitaker@btinternet.com
The Bath and Camerton Archaeological
Society (BACAS) has applied for two grants
under the CBA Challenge Funding scheme
which encourages ‘original research in the
independent sector’. The first application was
for funding to allow them to obtain radio-
carbon dates for four samples taken from an
excavation of a Iron Age/Romano-British site,
as part of the Society’s on-going ‘Blacklands
Project’; the aim is to enable them to
ascertain the exact period of occupation
across the site.
The second application was seeking funding
5
for radio-carbon dating and isotope analysis
of a skeleton found during an investigation of
Roman occupation and activity in the Maiden
Bradley area. If our deadlines prevent us from
bringing you news of the outcomes of these
bids in this edition we will make sure we carry
a full report in the next!
A BRONZE AGE SHIPWRECK
DISCOVERED OFF THE DEVON COAST
from Current Archaeology, May 2010
The May edition of Current Archaeology
carried an article about the discovery of
Britain’s oldest shipwreck in treacherous
waters at Moor Sand, near Salcombe in
Devon. The find was made by members of
the South West Maritime Archaeological
Group (SWMAG) and published at a
conference in Plymouth in February this year.
The boat was carrying a large cargo of bronze
and tin ingots, and included a total of 64 kg
of copper and 20 kg of tin, one ingot of which
itself weighed 9 kg, the largest such ingot ever
found in the UK. Other finds, including gold
torques and a leaf sword, have helped to date
the wreck to 800-700BC.
There was no sign of the ship that had been
carrying the cargo, but it is thought that it
had either been overturned by rough seas,
causing it to spill its cargo, or had sunk intact
and then broken up. The find is particularly
significant because two samples of the cargo
have been matched to copper-working sites in
Switzerland, thus providing evidence that bulk
commodities were being transported over
long distances at this early period.
to find out more about the Bronze Age shipwreck at
Salcombe:
journal Current Archaeology, issue 242, May 2010
THE BRISLINGTON COMMUNITY
ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT
Members of BCAP excavate a garden test pit in 2009.
According to the CBA’s (national) newsletter
for April 2010, Brislington was once hailed
as one of the prettiest villages in Somerset,
but is now ‘a neighbourhood in the city of
Bristol’. Rather less contentiously, they also
draw attention to its long history, which dates
back to the Neolithic, and features, inter alia,
a Roman villa, a medieval pilgrimage site and
World War 2 defences.
In 2009 local people set up the Brislington
Community Archaeology Project (BCAP)
to investigate and celebrate their local
archaeological heritage. The Project has been
designed to accommodate people with a
wide range of interests, and to attract support
from community groups, local businesses and
professional bodies. It has gone on to develop
a role in planning and consultative processes,
to carry out watching briefs and to undertake
small scale excavations. The illustration
above shows a test pit being explored in a
local garden. These often represent some
6
of the few sites open to amateur, urban
archaeologists, and in one such case a
Neolithic flint tool was recovered.
In order to gain maximum benefit from such
finds, the Project has recently established
a virtual museum - an on-line database of
artefacts to showcase what has already been
found and to encourage local residents to pay
heed to the items in their own flower beds
and to get them identified and documented.
to find out more about the Brislington Community
Archaeology Project:
web www.brislingtonarchaeology.org.uk
FIELD-WALKING TURNS UP A SAILING
VESSEL!
Last time (Issue 3, June 2010, pages 11-12)
we included a report from Archaeological
Consultancy Ltd of their standing buildings
survey on a small building which proved to
be associated with a disused quarry. Matt
Mossop has now provided a very different
example of their work, this time involving
the investigation of an item at the other end
of the scale, namely an incised slate, which
apparently depicts a square-rigged sailing
vessel.
While field-walking in Paul parish, West
Penwith, Graham Hill recovered the slate
amongst an impressively diverse prehistoric
and later early medieval assemblage. Diligent
field-walking by a number of enthusiasts and
archaeologists has produced some
remarkable collections of artefacts in
Cornwall, which are increasingly being well
documented by the Portable Antiquities
Scheme(PAS), adding very considerably to our
understanding of the historic environment of
the county and of the wider region.
Graham Hill has been field-walking since
2004, and is largely self-taught. He has
assisted on excavations and more recently
has undertaken a number of experiments in
lithic manufacture, in the course of which he
has made a number of axes and has pecked a
substantial hole through a one tonne granite
boulder using flaked diorite beach pebbles.
The tiny inscribed slate is less than 40mm
long with considerable portions missing. It
appears to show a furled square-rig sail on
a single mast (top left), with an additional
spar presumably to secure the bottom of the
sail. This arrangement is well documented
for Viking ships, whilst a small structure (top
right) may potentially represent either an
anchor beside the steeply swept curve of
the prow (with surf and spray beneath) or a
support for a steering oar on the starboard
side of the stern. The prow or stern has a
noticeably differentiated uppermost section
which may represent a re-enforcement
plate, sheath or removable section, in line
with the Viking tradition of removable
dragon heads. There is however a general
lack of obvious oars, oar ports, rowers and
associated helmets and shields, whilst what
could be a human figure is equally open to
interpretation. The sweep of the stern or
prow could fit well with any wooden, reed or
7 History Group has made use of this facility to
skin built vessel designed for relatively rough
waters or the open sea.
The zigzag lines are reminiscent of a number
of prehistoric boat and raft depictions,
principally from Egypt and Mesopotamia
which are commonly interpreted as reed-raft
bindings, though the motif is equally common
in late Mesolithic North European art work
right through to the modern period and may
also represent decorated gunwales of almost
any period.
Graham’s collection is important because of
his systematic recording and illustration and
his fresh approach to interpretation. The
vast majority of diagnostic pieces have been
beautifully illustrated, cross referenced and
plotted by GPS on OS base maps in a detailed
catalogue that would put many professional
archaeologists to shame. Working closely with
PAS he has recorded an estimated 10,000 find
spots to date in his 600 page catalogue.
An initial analysis of the resultant scatter
patterns has identified numerous discreet
assemblages, many of which appear to
correspond to similarly defined areas of
archaeological activity. These have included
flint working areas from the late Mesolithic
through to the Neolithic, as well as two
probable Mid-Bronze Age house platforms
near Castallack and possible prehistoric route
ways. It is hoped that further study of his
catalogue may also facilitate the study of drift
and erosion patterns in the plough soil.
to find out more about Graham Hill’s work:
contact Graham Hill
email amandablunsdon@btinternet.com
contact Matt Mossop, Archaeological Consultancy Ltd
email mmossop@archaeologicalconsultancy.com
THE MARTOCK LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
GETS TO GRIPS WITH RESISTIVITY
The CBA SW group has resistivity equipment
which is available for loan to local groups, and
provides training in its use. The Martock Local
explore Stapleton, an in particular to try to
locate the site of a manorial complex which is
described in the Somerset HER.
this offer, or to find out what else might be in
the pipeline, should contact Suzie Thomas,
CBA’s Community Archaeology Support
Officer, who will put them in touch with the
appropriate Learning Project Manager for the
region.

to find out more about the BBC’s learning resources and

activities in support of major history programmes:
contact Dr Suzie Thomas, Community Support Officer,
CBA
email suziethomas@britarch.ac.uk
phone 01904 521245
web www.britarch.ac.uk
address St Mary’s House, 66 Bootham, York, YO30 7BZ

Within a short space of time they have

produced some interesting results, and are
keen to undertake further work on resistivity NEW PUBLICATION FROM CBA SW
and to explore further techniques such as
magnetrometry using gradiometry equipment
from South Somerset Archaeological Research
Group.

to find out more about the Martock Local History Group’s

resistivity project:
contact Doug Gurzynski, Fieldwork Co-ordinator, MLHG
email douggur@btinternet.com

THE NORMANS ON TV

You will no doubt have seen

at least some of the BBC’s
impressive and varied
coverage of various aspects of the Normans
over the last few weeks. This is the first of
a series of major history programmes to be
shown on the channel, each of which will be
accompanied by a number of free learning
resources and activities, all of which can
be ordered by groups and organisations for
local use. There are a number of terms and
conditions covering such use, but there are
also ‘potentially’ opportunities for publicity
through local radio and television.
Any local groups wishing to take advantage of
The Last of the Britons - Kings, Thugs or
Saints? is the title of a collection of papers
by leading experts of the field, which were
originally presented at a symposium held
in Taunton Castle in 2005 by the Council
for British Archaeology South West and the
Somerset Archaeological and Natural History
Society.
The papers have now been re-published by
CBA SW, on a print-on-demand basis, and
8
the result represents a summary of current archaeological significance of church sites,
knowledge concerning the position of and how to go about safeguarding it.
Somerset and its adjoining counties during
the ‘dark ages’. It contains an interesting
mixture of opinions and data from the
disciplines of both archaeology and history
from prominent contributors such as Mick
Aston, Simon Draper, Peter Leach, Susan
Pearce, Barbara Yorke, Chris Webster, James
Gerrard, Anthea Harris, Keith Gardner,
Richard Sermon, Gill Swanton, Larissa Fry and
Andrew F. Smith.

This new re-issue is available in paperback

priced £9.75 (including P&P), or as a free PDF to access guidance on Church Care:
download. All proceeds go to CBA SW. web http://www.churchcare.co.uk/

to order a copy of this publication or to download the free

PDF version:
web http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cbasw/

COURSES, CONFERENCES AND

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

CBA SW SYMPOSIA

Last time, we mentioned English Heritage’s
Heritage at Risk programme which is
addressing the extent to which places
of worship are at risk, and advising
congregations on how to take care of these
important buildings (Issue 3, June 2010, page
5). Co-incidentally, the Church of England and
the CBA are working together to encourage
and support local stewardship of ancient
church sites and ruins, and the Church
Buildings Council has published guidance on
Ruined Churches: Problem or Opportunity.
This complements guidance available from
the Church of England’s Church Care website
on topics such as
• caring for your church building
• caring for your church’s contents
• caring for your churchyard, and
• developing your church building
The site also has useful guidance on the
9
The Somerset Archaeology and Natural
History Society is organising two symposia
this year. The first is taking place on 2 October
2010, which is probably too close to our
date of publication for the information to be
of much use, but if you are in time and are
interested in The Archaeology and History
of the Second World War in Somerset,
then contact David Dawson urgently (details
below).
Then on 12 and 13 March 2011 there will be
a joint annual symposium and archaeological
forum with the Exmoor National Park
Authority. The venue has been booked at
Dunster Village Hall, as has Mark Gillings
of the University of Leicester as the main
speaker.
for further information on the CBA SW symposia:
contact David Dawson
email davidp@dawsonheritage.co.uk
WORKSHOPS ON MINERALS AND THE
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
The Mineral Industry Research Organisation
(MIRO) is coordinating a series of one-day
training workshops around England to explain
and promote their guide to best practice in
dealing with archaeological remains as part
of mineral development within the planning
process. The workshops are sponsored by
English Heritage through DEFRA; thanks
to support from the Aggregates Levy
Sustainability Fund they are free of charge
and lunch is provided. Unfortunately the
vagaries of our publication schedule mean
that this notice will almost certainly reach
you after the Bristol event has taken place
on 30 September, but the final event in this
series is being held from 10 am to 4 pm at
the Museum of London in Docklands on 7
October 2010.
for further information on the one-day workshops on
minerals and the historic environment:
contact Pam Badham, Office Manager, MIRO
address Concorde House, Trinity Park, Solihull,
Birmingham, B37 7UO
phone 0121 635 5225
email pam.badham@miro.co.uk
BRISTOL UNIVERSITY SHORT COURSES
IN ARCHAEOLOGY
The Department of Archaeology &
Anthropology at Bristol University offers a
wide range of short courses open to everyone
and available as part of the University’s
lifelong learning programme.
The 2010-2011 course programme features
courses on Egyptology; Bones and Burial
Archaeology; Medieval Archaeology;
Cathedral Architecture; Iron Age Hillforts;
World War 2 Defences; and British Prehistory,
as well as courses on tools and techniques,
including Geophysics; Artefact handling;
Archaeological Illustration and Surveying, and
a popular Introduction to Archaeology class
and Summer School.
The courses are delivered in a variety of
ways, including Saturday Dayschools; evening
classes and longer courses, and many are
designed to provide accreditation and a
straight-forward route into higher level study.
for further information on the Bristol University programme
of short courses in Archaeology:
contact Heather Crawley, Short Courses Administrator
address Department of Archaeology & Anthropology,
University of Bristol, 43 Woodland Road, Bristol
BS8 1UU
phone 0117 954 6070 (Wednesdays only)
email arch-lifelong@bristol.ac.uk
web www.bristol.ac.uk/archanth/continuing/short-
courses
CONFERENCE AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
ON WESTERN BRITAIN FROM AD 350 -
500
Cardiff University is marking the 1600th
anniversary of the ‘end’ of Roman Britain with
a conference from 30th to 31st October with
the title of Emperors, Usurpers, Tyrants: the
history and archaeology of western Britain
from AD 350-500. The fee is £20 for two days;
the full programme and a booking form are
available on line.
for further information on the Cardiff University Conference:
web http://www.cf.ac.uk/share/newsandevents/
events/archaeology/emperors-usurpers-tyrants.
html
10
British Archaeology magazine

Keeping you informed

Keep up to date with the latest discoveries in archaeology. Each
68 page issue is packed with discoveries, news, features, reviews and opinion.
Written by archaeologists, it is the most talked about UK archaeology magazine.
Support the CBA and help safeguard the future of Britain’s archaeology

Subscribe today for just £21 a year*

Magazine also available to full CBA members from £29 a year.
CBA membership also includes CBA regional group membership.

Visit www.britarch.ac.uk/subscribe or call 01904 671417.

*New subscribers only

11
AND NOW – OVER TO YOU!
We hope that you have enjoyed this, the fourth edition of the CBA SW Newsletter, but – more
importantly – we hope that you will also become active contributors to it. We want the news­
letter to contain information about the full range of activities taking place in the region, and
we want to encourage comments and feedback on the articles; for example we are happy to
publicise forthcoming events, but we would very much like to include reports from members of
the archaeological community who attend these events and want to share something they have
learned that may be of general interest.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
We still need volunteers to join the CBA SW committee, which only meets three times per year.
Please get in touch via cbasw@britarch.ac.uk.

SUBSCRIBE
If you would like to receive a copy of this Newsletter regularly through the post, and become
a member of the South West regional group, please send a cheque for £6 to Matt Mossop,
Treasurer, CBA SW, Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, Goodagrane, Halvasso, Penryn, Cornwall,
TR10 9BX.

This Newsletter has been produced by the Council for British Archaeology for the South West;
independent charity no. 268532. It is published in January, June, and October each year.
Please send copy for inclusion to the Editor (contact details below): the deadline for
Issue 5 is 5 January 2011, but it would be helpful to know well in advance
if you may have something to offer!

to provide feedback on this newsletter

and its contents, or to submit items for a
future edition:
contact Barry Lane, Chair, CBA SW
the Chair
email barry.j.lane@btopenworld.com
OR Alan Lambourne, Editor, CBA
contact SW Newsletter
the
Editor
email alan-lambourne@clara.co.uk
address The Old Coach House, 70 East
Street, Ashburton, TQ13 7AX
phone 01364 654543

http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cbasw/ 12