Archaeologists based in Orkney are investigating a number of 19th century whale skeletons recovered during a dig at a neolithic site.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42066646
Latest News
November 23, 2017
November 21, 2017
The Welsh Government’s historic environment service Cadw will remain part of Welsh Government for the foreseeable future, Culture Minister Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas confirmed today.
As a government division, Cadw has put a greater focus on diversifying its appeal over recent years, becoming more economically sustainable and improving its ‘big 10’ attractions – something which has paid dividends, with record attendance numbers in 2017, up 8.4% on the previous summer.
Earlier this year a steering group report (Historic Wales – A roadmap towards Success, Resilience and Sustainability for the Heritage of Wales) included a specific recommendation relating to the future governance of Cadw. A robust business case was then taken forward to identify the best option.
The business case considered the steering group’s recommendations that Cadw should become ‘a charitable body or an executive agency outside of Welsh Government’. This was measured against the status quo, undertaking an in depth analysis of the functions of Cadw and the drivers for change.
The case was taken to Cabinet colleagues in October, with Dafydd Elis-Thomas happy to implement the decision to accept its core recommendation that the successes of Cadw are best built on and developed from within Government.
The Culture Minister said:
“I have long admired the good work done by Cadw in showcasing some of the magnificent heritage we have here in Wales, opening it up for all to enjoy.
“This has been done largely from within Government, and whilst it was appropriate at this juncture to explore all avenues as to how we can build on this success, I’m pleased to implement Cabinet’s decision to accept the business case’s clear recommendation that Cadw should remain part of Welsh Government.
“But it is also imperative that Cadw looks to evolve and progress, keeping up with best practices and having the flexibility and courage to make the best decisions for all its stakeholders and for the thousands of historic sites that comprise our unique historic environment.
“On this basis, I’m equally pleased to accept recommendations relating to increased autonomy for Cadw in certain aspects. These include establishing a formal system of delegation and internal freedoms, making best use of strategic partnerships between national organisations and establishing an internal operating board.
“These recommendations will maximise the contribution that Cadw can make to an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales. In particular they will help ensure that the public continues to have the best possible quality monuments, attractions and events to enjoy.”
Cadw is the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service, working for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales. It looks after and opens to the public 129 monuments across Wales. Of these, 29 are staffed sites and the remainder are free open-access sites.
gov.wales/newsroom/culture-tourism-sport/2017/171121-cadw-to-remain-in-government/?skip=1&lang=en
November 20, 2017
This summer, the University of Reading Archaeology Field School excavated one of the most extraordinary sites we have ever had the pleasure of investigating. The site is an Early Neolithic long barrow known as “Cat’s Brain” and is likely to date to around 3,800BC. It lies in the heart of the lush Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire, UK, halfway between the iconic monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury.
November 7, 2017
Plans for a wind farm near the site of an ancient hill fort in the Scottish Borders have been unanimously rejected by councillors.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-41899701
Original Story.
November 6, 2017
Amateur archaeologists excavating a Bronze Age site in the United Kingdom have discovered a cache of unusual stone tools unlike any that have been found before.
The tools appear to have been deposited deliberately — perhaps ceremonially — in what would have been a stream around 4,500 years ago, according to the researchers.
livescience.com/60606-stone-tools-unearthed-at-bronze-age-site.html
Thanks to Stone Pages for this information.
October 23, 2017
A COLLECTION of stones has been unearthed by a team of UK archaeologists investigating fields in St Clement earmarked for a new estate of 200 affordable homes.
Five stones, which could date back to the Island’s neolithic past when the dolmens were built, were discovered by a team from the Museum of London Archaeological Services at the former Samarès Nursery site.
Read more at..
October 20, 2017
The winners of the Scottish Heritage Angel awards have been revealed.
(Good to see Whithorn and in particular Leslie Merriman receive awards)
The “army of builders” of Stonehenge ate animals brought from as far away as the north east of Scotland, according to a new exhibition at the famous Neolithic site in Wiltshire.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-41669774
October 16, 2017
We all want to believe that the places and heritage we love will be protected by somebody else for our children to enjoy. Some really important places in the UK benefit from protection by law and are supposed to be kept safe by our government bodies for the benefit of everyone. One such place is the ancient Neolithic burial site on the hill at Knock Iveagh. Although the burial site (cairn) is older than the pyramids and should be treated as a gem in the crown of beautiful Co Down, right now unfortunately it looks like somebody has dropped the ball because it is under terrible threat. Our public bodies have the power to save the hill and it is up to us to make sure they do so. That is why we are asking for your contribution to this important fight. Legal advice costs money, but this is a fight we can and must win.
October 13, 2017
Archaeologists unearth massive 5,000-year-old structure near Lincoln industrial estate
Archaeologists from Network Archaeology Ltd have teamed up with Lincolnshire Live to reveal more about the incredible artefacts from a dig along part of the route of Lincoln’s Eastern Bypass
lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/archaeologists-unearth-massive-5000-year-603713.amp
October 10, 2017
For those who like to walk and cycle and it’s free...
The new Permissive Path at Stonehenge is finally open after a three-year delay waiting for the grass to grow strong enough to bear the weight of a few cyclists and pedestrians.
A group of pedestrians and cyclists from surrounding villages joined together to mark the re-opening of the route, accompanied by former Wiltshire councillor Ian West. He campaigned strongly against English Heritage for the path to be re-opened as specified in a planning agreement.
The right of way passes within a few feet of the Heal Stone and gives free access to the public. The path allows the public to use the old A344 road and the new path from Airman’s Corner roundabout to the A303 free of charge and without any passes.
“It allows you to take some beautiful photographs without having to have a local residents’ pass and then booking your appointment time along with other tourists,” said a jubilant Mr West. “The path opens up the old connection between Shrewton and West Amesbury, if you are brave enough to cross the A303, although the authorities deem it to be a safe crossing,” he added.
Horses are not permitted on the new path, which is part of the old road now grassed over, but they can go from the roundabout to By-Way 12, which passes close to the stones, to Larkhill in one direction and Druids Lodge in the other, free of charge and without passes. This opens up the access to the by-way and allows travel in both directions on horseback.
yourvalleynews.co.uk/frontpage-news/new-stonehenge-path-open-last/
October 7, 2017
One of England’s “most important Bronze Age finds” has gone on display for the first time near to where it was found.
October 5, 2017
RESIDENTS of Trellech woke up to a strange sight on Sunday morning (1st October) when their historic standing stones took on a new look.
The three stones are known as Harold’s Stones, supposedly erected by Harold, last of the Saxon kings, in commemoration of a victory over the Britons in 1063. The stones also supposedly gave the village its name, with ‘tri’ meaning three, and ‘llech,’ stone, in ancient Welsh.
But Sunday morning saw the stones clad in a white plastic with the letters L, E and S taped onto the plastic. The ‘work of art’ had been signed ‘Angel 17’ which gave no clues to the originator of the work.
Local resident Stephanie Poulter first saw them when driving by and thought to herself that some effort had been put into this.
“It was a mystery who had done this but obviously someone had gone to a great deal of effort,” she told the Beacon.
The plot thickened as by 5pm, the wrapping had vanished, taken down by someone unknown.
Standing stones that are 5,000 years old are helping to boost the Western Isles economy by £4m a year, according to a new report.
October 4, 2017
Possible evidence of a medieval Norse parliament meeting place may have been found at an archaeological site in the Highlands.
October 2, 2017
“Archaeologists from Bradford have created a digital model of the iconic Sculptor’s Cave in Moray, Scotland.
The high resolution digital model not only demonstrates the size and layout of the cave but importantly highlights the Pictish (early medieval) symbols found on the walls that make the cave so fascinating.
The cave was also used as a focus for complex funerary rites and the deposition of precious objects in the Late Bronze Age/Iron Age.....”
bradford.ac.uk/news/2017/sculptors-cave-video.php
Nice walk through video on link.
September 29, 2017
A shortlist of 12 nominees in four different categories has been revealed for the annual Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-41415926
Whithorn Roundhouse worth a vote but then again they are all excellent.
September 26, 2017
They were being laid in the grounds of Soulton Hall, Wem, as part of a wider scheme to create the long barrow next year.
The impressive limestone features, each weighing a couple of tonnes, stand approximately 12 feet high and six feet wide, and are the first step in the building of the Soulton Long Barrow by Sacred Stones Ltd and the Ashton family.
The Soulton Long Barrow was granted planning permission earlier this month and will be made entirely by hand using natural limestone, lime mortar and traditional techniques.
Inspired by those built by our prehistoric ancestors, it will house cremation ashes and will provide a much-needed alternative venue for funerals and commemorative experiences.
It is hoped the barrow will act as a focal point for community to celebrate life, free from the constraints imposed by municipal alternatives. The long barrow will also provide a unique backdrop for educational and creative events.
Managing director of Sacred Stones, Toby Angel, said: “These beautiful standing stones are a precursor to what will be an historic build; the first long barrow in the region for 5,000 years. As well as marking the path to the barrow, these monoliths are our statement of intent and commitment to creating a natural, secular barrow in a rural setting where families can come with no time limitations and celebrate life.
“We established the company in response to our own experience of crematoriums and the frustration of spending longer in the car park than at the service. When we saw the public’s reaction to the Wiltshire barrow and their engagement with the structure there, it encouraged us to form Sacred Stones. In death, as in life, choice is hugely important and grief needs time without constraint. We know, through testimony, this is what a barrow provides and we are honoured that a few local people have already reserved a space for their ashes here.”
Tim Ashton, of Soulton Hall, added: “This is a special day for my family, and the community we serve. It’s hugely exciting to be one of the first farmers to build a long barrow in modern times.
“My family have been stewards of this land for a long time; our passionate connection with Soulton is shared by the many people who live and work around us, and by the many that visit each year.
“By committing to the barrow, we amplify the honour it is to engage with the land, and I passionately believe this important structure will serve the community for generations to come.”
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Book your slot now!
September 25, 2017
rte.ie/news/munster/2017/0925/907390-megalithic/
A hillwalker in west Kerry has made a stunning discovery which connects a 4,000-year-old tomb with the equinox. The megalithic tomb, known as the Giant’s Grave, is situated in the valley of Loch an Dúin on the eastern side of the Conor Pass.
Ancient rock art can be found within the tomb, including a cup and circle near the head of the tomb.
For the past 14 years Daithí Ó Conaill, a retired school principal, has visited the site during the winter and summer solstice hoping to make a connection between the tomb and the sun.
He has now discovered that the wedge tomb is actually aligned to the setting sun of the equinox, which last occurred on Friday 22 September.
As the sun sets directly into a ‘V’ shaped valley in the distant Brandon mountain range, a shaft of light enters the wedge tomb, illuminating the chamber and the rock art at the head of the tomb. The event can be witnessed at sunset for a number of days either side of the equinox.
Archaeologist Míchéal Ó Coiléain who has carried out extensive surveys in Loch an Dúin said it was a stunning discovery, providing a fine example of the engineering brilliance demonstrated by the people who constructed it.
“Daithí’s discovery is wonderful and it goes to show that people living 4000 years ago are aware of movements of the sun. They are agricultural communities, so to know when the longest days of the year, the shortest, and when the equinoxes fall is so important. To construct such a perfectly positioned monument required remarkable expertise and knowledge.”
The Equinox occurs twice a year when the plane of the Earth’s equator passes directly through the centre of the Sun’s disc. During an equinox, night and day are approximately the same duration.
September 22, 2017
The remains of a 6,000-year-old dwelling have been uncovered during water mains work in Ayrshire.
September 21, 2017
A 3D model has been created of the ruins of an Iron Age home in the Highlands.
September 20, 2017
Rivalries in Orkney more than 4,500 years ago led to competition between communities including over how people were buried, according to new research.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-41319168
September 19, 2017
In his letter to The Times (Saturday, 16 September) Mike Pitts, Editor of the British Archaeological magazine, writes –
theheritagetrust.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/we-will-learn-more-about-stonehenge/
September 14, 2017
Visitors to a 6,000-year-old site who are removing stones and piling them up to be “artistic” could be causing significant damage, experts say.
Stones from Stowe’s Pound on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, are being used to build the “fairy stacks” by people “probably unaware” they are breaking the law.
The stacks have been described as “historic vandalism”.
The practice at the Scheduled Ancient Monument site has also been condemned by Historic England.
September 11, 2017
A tunnel past Stonehenge will be dug largely along the route of the existing A303, the government has announced.