Post by UKarchaeology on Oct 1, 2015 17:47:21 GMT
* (1st October 2015) Public conference at Durham Cathedral will see experts describing exciting finds made during a series of digs and surveys
Remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships Altogether Archaeology Project
The life and times of a man who wandered into a North East valley 4,400 years ago and is now known as the King of Bling will be explored in Durham Cathedral at the weekend.
An excavation of the grave of what is believed to have been a prehistoric metal prospector revealed a gold hair ornament which matched another found on the South Tyne Valley site at Kirkhaugh during a dig in the 1930s.
Both are now in the Great North Museum in Newcastle and conjure up an impressive image of the metal-hunter with his golden hair tresses.
The find was one of many made in a three-year community archaeology project run by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, with backing from the heritage Lottery Fund.
The project, which attracted 600 volunteers, is now ending and at a public conference at the cathedral on Saturday a line up of experts will describe what has been uncovered in the venture’s series of digs and surveys.
One of the star finds was the gold hair-tress ring dating from to 2,300 BC - one of the earliest metal objects ever found in Britain.
It was discovered in June last year by two sets of young brothers from Alston, Joseph and Aiden Bell, and Sebastian and Luca Alderson, who had joined the Altogether Archaeology dig.
Another project examined finds from Epiacum Roman fort, also known as Whitley Castle, in the South Tyne Valley which had been brought to the surface by moles.
Remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships Altogether Archaeology Project
The molehills were sifted by volunteers to reveal the Roman finds.
The Kirkhaugh and Epiacum projects will be part of the conference programme, which also includes talks other Altogether Archaeology projects, such as:
* The discovery of part of an Anglo-Saxon cross alongside the remains of a man who lived between 831 and 1013AD at the site of the former St Botolph’s chapel at Frosterley in Weardale.
* The Long Meg stone circle and Neolithic life in the North Pennines.
* The uncovering of a large religious building attached to a farm at Muggleswick near Castleside in County Durham.
* The industrial archaeology of North Pennines sites such as Killhope, the Dukesfield lead smelting mill near Slaley in Northumberland and the Nenthead lead mines complex.
* Surveys in the Hadrian’s wall corridor and a lidar radar landscape exploration in the Allen Valleys and Hexhamshire. which has revealed hundreds of previously unknown sites of prehistoric, Roman and medieval date. Also featuring will be the latest dig by the project, in which remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers. The find was on land belonging to Northumbrian Water in Upper Teesdale, County Durham.
The project, which is led by Paul Frodsham, the Partnership’s historic environment officer, began after the archaeologist was alerted to the exciting possibility after a large number of stones were seen sticking out of eroding peat at Natural England’s Moor House Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve.
Paul, who arranged the dig alongside fellow archaeologist Rob Young, said: “It was very lucky we were alerted to the stones before they disappeared and we lost an important piece of history.”
In total, about 1,500 pieces were found at the dig. The finds range from finished objects through to waste flakes left from artefact production.
If Paul’s theory is proved right, this site could be the earliest one ever excavated in the North Pennines.
Stuart Pudney, conservation and land manager for Northumbrian Water, said: “When Paul first contacted me about this find I was really excited and more than happy to support an archaeological dig in the area. Working with archaeologists is a regular occurrence for my team as we deal with over 600 projects a year that range from repairing pipes around Hadrian’s Wall world heritage site to working around listed buildings.”
Paul said: “The finds date back to the Mesolithic period, which is the earliest period for which we have evidence for people in the North Pennines. Most of the pieces are very small and include chert, which is a locally found stone, and flint that has probably come from Yorkshire.”
Remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships Altogether Archaeology Project
It is thought that the site was possibly a camp, occupied for a few days each year by bands of hunter gatherers and dates from about 7,000BC.
The site may lie on a route between Yorkshire and Cumbria. While camping there the people may have taken advantage of seasonal resources such as fish in the river, berries or nuts, wild cattle or deer.
Heather McCarty of Natural England said: “We were delighted when Paul informed us of the initial finds and very pleased at the way in which the partners and the volunteers in particular, have all worked together to enable this important dig to go ahead in a short timescale. The dig has greatly increasing our knowledge of the history of the area and tells us a lot more about the early human occupation in Upper Teesdale”.
Samples of birch and pine tree were recovered from the base of the peat nearby, which suggests the site was a partially-wooded landscape.
Paul said: “It’s been one of strengths of the Altogether Archaeology that our partners are very generous, with both access to land and funding. Without help on both these counts we wouldn’t be able to carry out these excavations and make these fascinating and incredibly important discoveries that tell us the history of the North Pennines.
“As well as the finds, which are now carefully catalogued and dated, we also took some samples that will be radiocarbon dated and hopefully tell us about the site’s changing environment, both during and after its occupation.
“It gives us an insight into what life was like in Upper Teesdale and for the first people who lived here after the end of the Ice Age, perhaps 300 generations ago.”
A group of Alston schoolboys have struck gold, unearthing one of the most significant recent archaeological finds in the UK. The boys, aged from 7 to 10, were on a local dig at Kirkhaugh, arranged by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnerships Altogether Archaeology project, when they saw a glint of gold which turned out to be a 4,300-year-old ornament, probably worn as a hair tress
The Altogether Archaeology is also this year’s recipient of the Bowland Award, awarded annually for the best project, best practice or outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of protected landscapes by the National Association of AONBs.
Paul described the award as “extremely gratifying” because he said it recognises the efforts of the project’s volunteers who turn out in all weather to uncover the history of the North Pennines.
Ivor Crowther, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “It’s brilliant news that the great work as part of the Altogether Archaeology project has been recognised and celebrated at a national level.
“The Bowland Award is a real endorsement of the important role that these impressive landscapes, and all the finds that have been uncovered, play in bringing people together, inspiring volunteers and protecting this fascinating part of our heritage. I congratulate everyone involved in making this project such a success.”
Hils Hawkins, a volunteer from Ireshopeburn in Weardale said: “Taking part in Altogether Archaeology is great fun, as well as educational. Without it I would never have had the opportunity, or the confidence, to attempt work like this.
“We benefit greatly from the expertise of the various professionals that have worked with us on the project, such as Stewart Ainsworth of Channel 4’s Time Team. We are very grateful to them all, as well as to the AONB Partnership for leading the project and the Heritage Lottery Fund for financing it.”
A group of Alston schoolboys have struck gold, unearthing one of the most significant recent archaeological finds in the UK
Since the project’s inception in July 2012, Paul and his band of loyal volunteers – some of whom travel many miles to attend the digs - have played a pivotal role in unearthing some of the North Pennines most important archaeological finds.
The project also works closely with local schools and community groups on a variety of events and projects including Dreaming the Land – a week-long event linking fictional stories with archaeological sites of the North Pennines – and a Roman Family Day at Alston at which hundreds of visitors experienced a flavour of life in 201AD.
Paul said: ‘The project was set up to undertake important and exciting research into the archaeology of the North Pennines, to teach local people how to do archaeological survey and excavation, and to raise awareness of the archaeology within local communities, while also enabling lots of people to have lots of fun.
“The end result, which is important, is that local people are increasingly becoming active producers of their own heritage, rather than simply passive consumers of a heritage presented to them by experts.”
Mike Powell, from Stanhope, who has taken part in several digs, said: “The project has created amazing opportunities for local people to get involved with some brilliant archaeology. I really think the AONB Partnership and in particular Paul Frodsham, deserve a huge slice of the credit for developing and leading this fantastic project.”
Although the project is ending, it is not halting the volunteers who at the weekend event will launch the North Pennines Archaeology group. It is fantastic that the enthusiasm generated by the project has left a legacy which will see the volunteers carry it on,” said Chris Woodley-Stewart, director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership.
Conference tickets are £20 to include buffet lunch and a guided tour of the cathedral. Contact 01388 528 801.
(source at pics at: www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/life-times-king-bling-set-10171274 )
Remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships Altogether Archaeology Project
The life and times of a man who wandered into a North East valley 4,400 years ago and is now known as the King of Bling will be explored in Durham Cathedral at the weekend.
An excavation of the grave of what is believed to have been a prehistoric metal prospector revealed a gold hair ornament which matched another found on the South Tyne Valley site at Kirkhaugh during a dig in the 1930s.
Both are now in the Great North Museum in Newcastle and conjure up an impressive image of the metal-hunter with his golden hair tresses.
The find was one of many made in a three-year community archaeology project run by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, with backing from the heritage Lottery Fund.
The project, which attracted 600 volunteers, is now ending and at a public conference at the cathedral on Saturday a line up of experts will describe what has been uncovered in the venture’s series of digs and surveys.
One of the star finds was the gold hair-tress ring dating from to 2,300 BC - one of the earliest metal objects ever found in Britain.
It was discovered in June last year by two sets of young brothers from Alston, Joseph and Aiden Bell, and Sebastian and Luca Alderson, who had joined the Altogether Archaeology dig.
Another project examined finds from Epiacum Roman fort, also known as Whitley Castle, in the South Tyne Valley which had been brought to the surface by moles.
Remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships Altogether Archaeology Project
The molehills were sifted by volunteers to reveal the Roman finds.
The Kirkhaugh and Epiacum projects will be part of the conference programme, which also includes talks other Altogether Archaeology projects, such as:
* The discovery of part of an Anglo-Saxon cross alongside the remains of a man who lived between 831 and 1013AD at the site of the former St Botolph’s chapel at Frosterley in Weardale.
* The Long Meg stone circle and Neolithic life in the North Pennines.
* The uncovering of a large religious building attached to a farm at Muggleswick near Castleside in County Durham.
* The industrial archaeology of North Pennines sites such as Killhope, the Dukesfield lead smelting mill near Slaley in Northumberland and the Nenthead lead mines complex.
* Surveys in the Hadrian’s wall corridor and a lidar radar landscape exploration in the Allen Valleys and Hexhamshire. which has revealed hundreds of previously unknown sites of prehistoric, Roman and medieval date. Also featuring will be the latest dig by the project, in which remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers. The find was on land belonging to Northumbrian Water in Upper Teesdale, County Durham.
The project, which is led by Paul Frodsham, the Partnership’s historic environment officer, began after the archaeologist was alerted to the exciting possibility after a large number of stones were seen sticking out of eroding peat at Natural England’s Moor House Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve.
Paul, who arranged the dig alongside fellow archaeologist Rob Young, said: “It was very lucky we were alerted to the stones before they disappeared and we lost an important piece of history.”
In total, about 1,500 pieces were found at the dig. The finds range from finished objects through to waste flakes left from artefact production.
If Paul’s theory is proved right, this site could be the earliest one ever excavated in the North Pennines.
Stuart Pudney, conservation and land manager for Northumbrian Water, said: “When Paul first contacted me about this find I was really excited and more than happy to support an archaeological dig in the area. Working with archaeologists is a regular occurrence for my team as we deal with over 600 projects a year that range from repairing pipes around Hadrian’s Wall world heritage site to working around listed buildings.”
Paul said: “The finds date back to the Mesolithic period, which is the earliest period for which we have evidence for people in the North Pennines. Most of the pieces are very small and include chert, which is a locally found stone, and flint that has probably come from Yorkshire.”
Remains from a Stone Age campsite have been unearthed by a team of volunteers from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships Altogether Archaeology Project
It is thought that the site was possibly a camp, occupied for a few days each year by bands of hunter gatherers and dates from about 7,000BC.
The site may lie on a route between Yorkshire and Cumbria. While camping there the people may have taken advantage of seasonal resources such as fish in the river, berries or nuts, wild cattle or deer.
Heather McCarty of Natural England said: “We were delighted when Paul informed us of the initial finds and very pleased at the way in which the partners and the volunteers in particular, have all worked together to enable this important dig to go ahead in a short timescale. The dig has greatly increasing our knowledge of the history of the area and tells us a lot more about the early human occupation in Upper Teesdale”.
Samples of birch and pine tree were recovered from the base of the peat nearby, which suggests the site was a partially-wooded landscape.
Paul said: “It’s been one of strengths of the Altogether Archaeology that our partners are very generous, with both access to land and funding. Without help on both these counts we wouldn’t be able to carry out these excavations and make these fascinating and incredibly important discoveries that tell us the history of the North Pennines.
“As well as the finds, which are now carefully catalogued and dated, we also took some samples that will be radiocarbon dated and hopefully tell us about the site’s changing environment, both during and after its occupation.
“It gives us an insight into what life was like in Upper Teesdale and for the first people who lived here after the end of the Ice Age, perhaps 300 generations ago.”
A group of Alston schoolboys have struck gold, unearthing one of the most significant recent archaeological finds in the UK. The boys, aged from 7 to 10, were on a local dig at Kirkhaugh, arranged by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnerships Altogether Archaeology project, when they saw a glint of gold which turned out to be a 4,300-year-old ornament, probably worn as a hair tress
The Altogether Archaeology is also this year’s recipient of the Bowland Award, awarded annually for the best project, best practice or outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of protected landscapes by the National Association of AONBs.
Paul described the award as “extremely gratifying” because he said it recognises the efforts of the project’s volunteers who turn out in all weather to uncover the history of the North Pennines.
Ivor Crowther, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “It’s brilliant news that the great work as part of the Altogether Archaeology project has been recognised and celebrated at a national level.
“The Bowland Award is a real endorsement of the important role that these impressive landscapes, and all the finds that have been uncovered, play in bringing people together, inspiring volunteers and protecting this fascinating part of our heritage. I congratulate everyone involved in making this project such a success.”
Hils Hawkins, a volunteer from Ireshopeburn in Weardale said: “Taking part in Altogether Archaeology is great fun, as well as educational. Without it I would never have had the opportunity, or the confidence, to attempt work like this.
“We benefit greatly from the expertise of the various professionals that have worked with us on the project, such as Stewart Ainsworth of Channel 4’s Time Team. We are very grateful to them all, as well as to the AONB Partnership for leading the project and the Heritage Lottery Fund for financing it.”
A group of Alston schoolboys have struck gold, unearthing one of the most significant recent archaeological finds in the UK
Since the project’s inception in July 2012, Paul and his band of loyal volunteers – some of whom travel many miles to attend the digs - have played a pivotal role in unearthing some of the North Pennines most important archaeological finds.
The project also works closely with local schools and community groups on a variety of events and projects including Dreaming the Land – a week-long event linking fictional stories with archaeological sites of the North Pennines – and a Roman Family Day at Alston at which hundreds of visitors experienced a flavour of life in 201AD.
Paul said: ‘The project was set up to undertake important and exciting research into the archaeology of the North Pennines, to teach local people how to do archaeological survey and excavation, and to raise awareness of the archaeology within local communities, while also enabling lots of people to have lots of fun.
“The end result, which is important, is that local people are increasingly becoming active producers of their own heritage, rather than simply passive consumers of a heritage presented to them by experts.”
Mike Powell, from Stanhope, who has taken part in several digs, said: “The project has created amazing opportunities for local people to get involved with some brilliant archaeology. I really think the AONB Partnership and in particular Paul Frodsham, deserve a huge slice of the credit for developing and leading this fantastic project.”
Although the project is ending, it is not halting the volunteers who at the weekend event will launch the North Pennines Archaeology group. It is fantastic that the enthusiasm generated by the project has left a legacy which will see the volunteers carry it on,” said Chris Woodley-Stewart, director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership.
Conference tickets are £20 to include buffet lunch and a guided tour of the cathedral. Contact 01388 528 801.
(source at pics at: www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/life-times-king-bling-set-10171274 )