Showing 1-20 of 55 news posts. Most recent first | Next 20 
Dig into the past at the 23rd Festival of Archaeology! 13-28 July 2013
Co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, the Festival offers over 1,000 events nationwide, organised by museums, heritage organisations, national and country parks, universities, local societies, and community archaeologists.
For details of events in your region go to http://www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk/
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Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Sites, a talk by Rachel Foster
Thursday 5th September 2013 2.15 pm
Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN
An insight into two of the richest archaeological sites in the country. This talk will help you explore these ancient landscapes and celebrate their contribution to our understanding of our prehistoric ancestors. Limited 30 people
Admission £3.50 (concessions £2.50). Spaces are limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Telephone 01249 705500 or visit our Help Desk at the History Centre. (Payment by credit/debit card or cheque available for the purchase of 2 or more tickets).
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Archaeology and Conservation Fair - Sunday 14th July
Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN
Ever wondered what the county archaeology team based in the History Centre does?
Curious to take a tour of the Conservation Labs upstairs?
Maybe you would like to find out about recent excavations, hoards and the work of local archaeology field units?
The Archaeology and Conservation Fair on Sunday 14th July at the History Centre is a fantastic FREE event with stands from 20 local archaeological organisations and a programme of free 10 minute talks that will tell you all about archaeology in the county.
Open from 11am to 4pm, the fair includes stands from Wiltshire's museums, Wessex archaeology, the National Trust and English Heritage. There will be plenty to interest visitors of all ages, including information on courses, volunteering, and fieldwork. Younger visitors will enjoy making their own Stonehenge, trying out a sandpit dig, handling a range of real objects and finding out about the Young Archaeologists clubs running in Wiltshire and Swindon. The ten minute talks' programme will run throughout the day and includes talks on the First World War project, Finding the Forgotten, the conservation of a large Romano-British pot found in Highworth, recent surveys, excavations and the discovery of 2 important early iron age hoards. Please see the full talks programme for times of individual talks. Tours of the conservation labs will run all day and you can visit the county archaeology service to find out about their work and see the Historic Environment Register demonstrated.
For further information on this event see the History Centre events page
http://www.wshc.eu/home/events.html
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The Peatling Magna Hoard
Iron age gold coins go on disply in Market Harborough. Article from Leicestershire County Council's website:
"This hoard of ten gold Iron Age coins was found in 2010 by Steve Bestwick whilst metal detecting on fields near Peatling Magna, in the District of Harborough. They will be displayed permanently at Harborough Museum from Tuesday 17 July 2012.
The coins were probably produced between 60-50 BC in Gallia Belgica, the Latin name for modern north western France and the Low Countries. They show a stylised horse moving right, surrounded by symbols on one side and are blank on the other.
These coins are slightly earlier than the majority of the coins in the Hallaton Treasure which is also displayed at Harborough Museum. It is rare to find hoards of early imported coins so far north, others are confined to East Anglia and the South East."
Further info and images of the coins can be found on the Portable Antiquities Scheme
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CBA Festival of British Archaeology 2012
Heads up for this years festival which runs from Saturday 14th to Sunday 29th July.
Check out the CBA website at http://festival.britarch.ac.uk/ for current details of what's going down in your hood.
The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre will be hold an open day on Sat 14 July; 10.00 & 14.00
Meet the Wiltshire Council archaeologists & conservators. Find out what they do & have a go yourself! Talk by Julian Richards of Meet the Ancestors. …
Meet the Wiltshire Council archaeologists and conservators. Find out what they do and have a go yourself! Bring along your finds for identification and hear about recently uncovered hoards. A rare opportunity to explore the conservation labs and learn about the conservators' work. Find out more about Wiltshire's amazing archaeological landscape with the county archaeologists. Have a go at excavating and find out how to conserve your finds. Talk by Julian Richards (Meet The Ancestors) Competition for children with prizes awarded on the day.
Location: Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham SN15 3QN. 5 minutes walk from Chippenham Railway Station. Please see our website for directions: www.wshc.eu
Org: Wiltshire Council Name: Nancy Danks Tel: 01249 705500 Email: archaeology@wiltshire.gov.uk
The Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre will also be repeating last years popular event on Wed 25 July; 10.00-16.00.
Free archaeology activity day for all the family. Learn the ancient skills of flint knapping & metal working with experts, or make your own clay pot. …
Free, fun, archaeology activity day. For all the family. Learn the ancient skills of flint knapping and metal working with experts Karl Lee and Neil Burridge. Or make your own clay pots, jewellery or mosaics with the museum's education team. For more details contact the museum on 01249 705020 or email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk
Location: Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre, 10 Market Place, Chippenham SN15 3HF.
Org: Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre Name: Melissa Barnett Tel: 01249 705020 Email: heritage@chippenham.gov.uk
Web: www.chippenham.gov.uk/museum--heritage-centre.aspx
Karl Lee's flint knapping skills are brilliant and you can get an idea of what to expect by viewing some of the videos I shoot at last years event. Neil Burridge's Bronze age casting skills are also featured
http://www.youtube.com/chippychance?gl=GB&uid=YTYRSQjC72ET62TCgvl2Lg
Chance
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Stonehenge tunnel idea resurrected
Stonehenge tunnel idea resurrected
7:10am Tuesday 17th January 2012 By Annie Riddle
The idea of building a tunnel under Stonehenge has been resurrected by a consortium of council leaders from across the South West.
Wiltshire was among the authorities represented at a summit meeting to discuss A303 improvements, organised by Somerset County Council last week. They discussed ways to raise the £1billion needed to widen the remaining single lane sections of the road between Wiltshire and Devon. The tunnel, which would have cost more than £500million at the last count, is one of five separate schemes they believe are needed.
Somerset?€™s leader Ken Maddock believes there is scope to seek new funding in the light of Chancellor George Osborne?€™s autumn statement, which said that pension funds could be used to fund up to £20billion of infrastructure schemes.
He said: ?€œThis is a fabulous opportunity to put a joint bid together that will bring huge benefits to the whole of the West Country.?€
The 2.1km tunnel plans were shelved in 2007 after the government said the soaring cost was not justified.
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/salisbury/salisburynews/9474384.Stonehenge_tunnel_idea_resurrected/
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Old Sarum: Life in the Iron Age and Beyond
Members' Only Event - £30.00
Date: Fri 2 Mar
Property: Old Sarum
Time: AM tour - 10.00 to 12.00/PM tour 13.00 to 15.00
Suitable for: Adults
Go back in time and join archaeologist, writer and broadcaster Julian Richards for a special tour of Old Sarum Castle. Discover what life was like for the people who occupied this ancient site; how they lived and how they survived through the Iron Ages and beyond. Includes refreshments.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/old-sarum-life-in-the-iron-age-and-beyond-os-2-mar
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Stonehenge A344 road closure approved
Plans to close a main road running past Stonehenge have been backed by the government following a public inquiry.
English Heritage wanted to stop traffic from travelling close to the stones and "restore the dignity" of the World Heritage Site by closing the A344.
Following a public inquiry, an independent inspector recommended part of the road could be closed off.
Roads minister Mike Penning has approved the plans and £3.5m will be used to improve nearby roads.
In June 2010 Wiltshire Council granted planning permission for a new visitors centre at Airman's Corner, 1.5 miles (2km) west of Stonehenge.
At the public inquiry, opponents claimed the plans would give English Heritage a monopoly on access to the site.
The scheme will see an 879 metre section of the A344 from its junction with the A303 closed.
Part of the B3086 from its junction with the A344 will also be closed and "increased capacity" added at Longbarrow Crossroads.
A decision over the remainder of the A344 and other byways will be decided by Wiltshire Council.
"This is an important contribution to improve the setting of the monument and ensure its preservation as an iconic World Heritage Site," said Mr Penning.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-15540031
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CBA Festival of British Archaeology July 2011
(Don't know why this is not posted in the news section but here goes...)
The CBA Festival of British Archaeology is ane annual extravaganza of heritage events coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology and this year started on Saturday 16th and runs until Sunday 31st July
Each year the Festival showcases the very best of British archaeology, by presenting hundreds of special events organised and held by museums, local societies, national and countryside parks, universities, and heritage organisations across the UK. The Festival presents everyone the opportunity to learn about their local heritage, to see archaeology in action, and to get involved.
Events ranging from excavation open days and behind-the-scenes tours to family fun days, hands-on activities, guided walks, talks and finds identification workshops take place all over the UK during this special fortnight.
To find out what's on in your area goto http://festival.britarch.ac.uk/ and search your region
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Solstice Operational Planning
Minutes of a meeting of Avebury Parish Council held on the 15th March 2011 at The Social Centre, High Street, Avebury SN8 1RF
c. Avebury Solstice Operational Planning Meeting:
(i) Policing will effectively be the same as last year despite the Swindon Music Festival. The police will have air and public order support. There will be police bikes, a passive drug dog, tow truck and two drop bins at the campsite and pub. The Police are encouraging a family event. Inspector Andy Noble will talk to people in the village if there are any concerns.
(ii) Problems are more likely Mon/Tues (20 and 21 June) than Tues/Wed due to people en route to Stonehenge.
(iii) Land incursions – police can only act if a breach of the peace occurs.
(iv) The campsite will be open 9.00 Monday to 14:00 Wednesday.
(v) Policing 6.00 Monday to 23:00 Wednesday
(vi) Parking in Manor grounds 20.00 on Monday to 10.00 Tuesday
(vii) Kevin Oliver Wiltshire Council Events Manager is looking at what can be done for West Kennett.
(viii) Silbury car park closed 18:00 to 10:00 on Monday and Tuesday
(ix) It is not yet known if the Glebe field will be available this year: approximately 30 campers were turned away last year
Draft minutes of a meeting of Avebury Parish Council held on the 19th April 2011 at The Social Centre, High Street, Avebury SN8 1RF
•Glebe Field: Minute ref. 11c. The Chairman confirmed that the Glebe field will not be available for Solstice camping.
http://aveburyparishcouncil.org/minutes2011.html
Information on past campsite consultancy
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-avebury_camp_consult.pdf
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Four Festival of British Archaeology Events
Discover the Stonehenge Landscape
Tue 19 July 11.00–16.00
Discover the Stonehenge landscape with Neolithic expert and National Trust archaeologist Dr. Nick Snashall.
Join Nick on this day out to explore the Stonehenge landscape and find out about the latest exciting discoveries. This is part of the Festival of British Archaeology–look out for complementary walks running in the Avebury half of the World Heritage Site this week.
Meet at the Stonehenge car park (not NT) by the National Trust map panel on the grassy area of the main car park. A parking charge applies for non-members of English Heritage or the National Trust.Please dress for the weather and wear stout footwear. Bring a packed lunch and a drink. Access is by pedestrian and farm gates; terrain is mostly grassland with some trackways and is often uneven underfoot. Cattle and sheep graze the gently sloping downs.
Accompanied older children welcome – Young Archaeologist Club (YAC) members free. Dogs on leads welcome. All tickets £15
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Monuments of the Stonehenge Landscape
Thu 21 & Mon 25 July 18.30–21.00
Explore the monuments of the Stonehenge landscape with Sonia Heywood – you'll soon discover that they're much more than simple earthworks.
They have a 4,000 year history that tells us much about our past. Our four mile walk will take us on a journey from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age. Part of the Festival of British Archaeology, this walk is run in partnership with Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum–accompanying artefact handling sessions are available at the museum. Places strictly limited.
Meeting at the Stonehenge car park (not NT) by the bright green National Trust information panel. A car parking charge applies for non-members of the Trust or English Heritage.
Dress for the weather and wear stout footwear. Bring sunscreen, a hat and a cooling drink, as there's little shade up on the downs. Access is by pedestrian gates; most terrain is grassland, often uneven underfoot. Cattle and sheep graze the gently sloping downs. Please note, we may be crossing the A344 road, at your own risk. Accompanied children welcome–YACs free. Dogs on leads welcome.
This walk is run in partnership with Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum–accompanying artefact handling sessions are available at the museum, priced £6, or £5 if booked alongside this walk. Children £1 (YACs free).
Contact the Museum on 01722 233151 or see www.salisburymuseum.org.uk for information and to book.
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Summer Landscape Walk
Wed 27 July 14.00–18.00
Discover the landscape, its archaeology – from prehistory to the last century – and its varied wildlife.
This is a walk of about three and a half miles around Stonehenge Down, the great henge of Durrington Walls, the route of the former military railway and King Barrow Ridge.
Meeting at the Stonehenge car park (not NT) by the National Trust map panel, on the grassy area of the main car park. A car parking charge applies for non-members of the Trust or English Heritage.
Dress for the weather and wear stout footwear. Bring sunscreen, a hat and a cooling drink, as there's little shade up on the downs. Access is by pedestrian and farm gates; the terrain is mostly grassland and trackways, often uneven underfoot. Cattle and sheep graze the gently sloping downs.
Adults £4, children free. Accompanied children welcome, free. Dogs on leads welcome.
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Storywalking with the Ancients
Thu 28 July 18.30–20.30
Adventure through time with storyteller Lizzie Bryant, telling stories inspired by the Stonehenge landscape–from ancient mythic landforms to man-made earthworks. Hear exciting stories from times before Stonehenge to the time of the first aeroplanes taking flight.
Meet at the Stonehenge Car Park (not NT) by the National Trust map panel on the grassy area of the main car park.
Please dress suitably for adventuring across the open downs and fields.
We recommend sunscreen and you may like to bring a drink and a snack.
Access is by pedestrian and farm gates; terrain is mostly grassland with some trackways and is often uneven underfoot.
Cattle and sheep graze the gently sloping downs.
Adults £4, accompanied children welcome, free. Dogs on leads welcome.
For more details and to book any of the four events listed above.......
Location: Stonehenge car park SP4 7DE. Directions sent on booking.
Org: National Trust, Stonehenge Landscape
Name: Lucy
Tel: 01980 664780
Email: stonehenge@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stonehengelandscape
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Six Stonehenge Photography Walks
Mon 18 to Wed 20 July 09.00–12.00 & 18.00–21.00
Six guided walks from Durrington Walls to Stonehenge with a focus on photographing the archaeology we encounter.
These guided walks will explore the landscape around Stonehenge while taking photographs of the monuments en route. We will begin at Durrington Walls and walk via the eastern end of the Stonehenge Cursus and King's Barrow Ridge to meet the Avenue where we will then walk towards Stonehenge. The walk will take you on a journey through Stonehenge's prehistoric landscape to approach the stones along the same route as Neolithic worshippers.
There will be plenty of opportunities to photograph along the way with tips on composition and light. No experience of photography is needed and any type of camera can be used. Please bring your camera, suitable walking clothes and boots, drink and snack. Spaces are limited on each walk so that each member of the group will have plenty of opportunity for questions and photographic advice.
Free, please book.
Location: Woodhenge car park. Wilts & Dorset services 5, 6 & 16. 1.5 miles north of Amesbury, signposted off the A345 immediately south of Durrington.
Org: inHeritage
Name: Bill Bevan
Tel: 0114 2345411
Email: billbevan@inheritage.co.uk
Web: www.billbevanphotography.co.uk
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Celtic Feasts and Roman Rituals
Sat 23 July 11.00–16.00
Celebrate HLF project 'Celts and Romans in North Wiltshire': tours of Barbury Castle, storytelling, hands-on activities.
Find out about Truckle Hill and the Chiseldon Cauldrons. …
With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund Wessex Archaeology has been working with community volunteers involved in the excavation of the Truckle Hill Roman Bath-House and the investigation of the Chiseldon Horde of Iron Age Cauldrons to engage more people in the Iron Age and Roman Heritage of North Wiltshire. As the project comes to an end we would like to share everything we've learned about this fascinating archaeology with you through a day of family fun.
During the day you can take a tour of Barbury Castle, create Celtic and Roman themed arts and crafts, listen to storytelling, and explore these amazing sites through hands-on activities and displays.
Location: Barbury Castle County Park, Wroughton, Swindon. Barbury Castle Country Park is south-west of Chiseldon. From M4 Junction 15, follow the A346 towards Marlborough until you see signs for 'Chiseldon'. Then follow the signs for 'Barbury Castle'.The nearest rail link to Barbury Castle is Swindon.
From Swindon bus # 71 or 73 can be taken to within the vicinity of Barbury Castle. The walk to the park is about one mile and uphill.
Org: Wessex Archaeology
Name: Allison Marcucci
Email: a.marcucci@wessexarch.co.uk
Web: www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/celts-and-romans-in-north-wiltshire
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Another Talk by Dr. Jim Leary
Marden Henge: Another Talk by Dr. Jim Leary
Friday 10 June 2011 20:00
Coronation Hall - Alton Barnes
A lecture by Jim Leary, English Heritage.
Learn about the henges at Marden, the oldest known house in the Pewsey Vale, and what happened to the Hatfield Barrow
Booking: No booking necessary, payable on the door
Cost: £4.00; Senior Citizens and Students £3.00; payable on the door
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World to see biggest full moon in two decades
The world is set to experience the biggest full moon for almost two decades when the satellite reaches its closest point to Earth next weekend.
On 19 March ( zenith 18:10 GMT UK), the full moon will appear unusually large in the night sky as it reaches a point in its cycle known as 'lunar perigee'.
Stargazers will be treated to a spectacular view when the moon approaches Earth at a distance of 221,567 miles in its elliptical orbit - the closest it will have passed to our planet since 1992.
The full moon could appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter in the sky, especially when it rises on the eastern horizon at sunset or is provided with the right atmospheric conditions.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/38/20110309/tsc-world-to-see-biggest-full-moon-in-tw-98fda55.html
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European Prehistoric Art: inventory, contextualisation, preservation and accessibility
EuroPreArt aims to establish a lasting data-base of European prehistoric art documentation, to launch the base of an European institutional network devoted to this domain, and to contribute to the awareness of the diversity and richness of European Prehistoric Art, as one of the oldest artistic expression of Humankind.
It will improve methodologies on techniques of inventory, storing data, interdisciplinarity, networking and accessibility/diffusion, namely using new information technologies.
The project will focus on selected clusters, from rock art to mobile art, from Palaeolithic to the Iron Age, from old stored records to modern field work studies.
The project intends to create a model, introduce textual and image data, publish a guide of good conduct and present the results to the wider public on this web-site, open to other contributions.
EuroPreArt, funded by the European Union, Education and Culture 2000 Programme
http://www.europreart.net/
TMAEds - Could not find a "slot" for this one as pan-european.....
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2011 Pagan calendar now available as Android app
2011 Pagan calendar now available as Android app
http://pagancalendar.co.uk/
This Pagan calendar shows Pagan, Witch, Druid and Heathen festivals, dates and events. Important neo-pagan festivals and religious holidays are included even if research into the origins are sketchy, as they are important in modern paganism.
Understanding festivals roots is a good idea, for the fire festivals, research the Coligny calendar and Margaret Murray.
For the Celtic tree calendar, research Robert Graves.
Sources of information on old pagan festivals and calendar dates include the Coligny calendar, Cormac's Glossary and Bede's writings.
Pagan carvings, pictures, artifacts and writings help validate certain events. But many events have a certain amount of guesswork added to make them useable today.
Paganism has always been evolving, and our celebrations do too. As such, both modern and old events are included on this calendar for you to enjoy as you will. The dates are stored in GMT time and adjusted to the time zone you select.
Everything on this site is free.
The calendar is available as a download PDF, ical, Outlook or Android App for your smartphone.
http://pagancalendar.co.uk/
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Stonehenge Apocalypse
A mass pile up on the A303? Carnage at the summer solstice? Visitor centre gets vacuum cleaner sponsor?
Oh my God, Ziller! - Monday 12th July @ 8 p.m. sees the UK premier of the SYFY movie, Stonehenge Apocalypse (2010)
When a group of archaeologists dig up a human skeleton near the historical monument of Stonehenge, an ancient piece of machinery hidden beneath the bedrock is discovered. Not knowing what it could be the workers accidentally trigger the mechanism and start a chain of events that may very well end the world as we know it...
For spoilers and reviews see - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1488598/
Warning: This film clashes with university challenge in which a team from Cardiff take on Brookes University, Oxford
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The Stonehenge Landscape: a Journey of Discovery
Thu 29 July 11.00-15.30
Start point TBC; directions will be sent on booking
Join a Neolithic expert and archaeologist on this walk of around 8 miles through the Stonehenge landscape. Booking essential.
National Trust - 01980 664780
stonehenge@nationaltrust.org.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stonehengelandscape
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Showing 1-20 of 55 news posts. Most recent first | Next 20 |
Hail and Welcome
Chance was born in Ratae in the year of the Rat, and grew up in the territory of the Corieltauvi. Now living days walk west of Wale-dich (Avebury), on the border between the Atrebates, the Durotriges and the Dobunni.
Practical experience of excavation on Neolithic, Bronze-age, Roman sites.
Enjoys exploring on bicycle, with wild camp provisions along Roman roads and ancient Celtic tracks. Interested in the various tribes, how they divided their land, their agricultural calendar, their common beliefs and ritual systems. Often attends the tribal meetings held at Avebury and Stonehenge.
Contact - Chippychance on UTube
http://www.youtube.com/chippychance
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