The Archaeology Field Group project at Calne Castle Hill Site project can now get under way, as approval for the first stage has been received from Wiltshire Council. The project aims to find archaeological evidence to show whether a castle ever existed on the site. There are 29 current or now disused local place names containing the word 'castle' which strongly suggests that there was a building, motte and bailey or hill fort of some importance on the site.
A small working party has been busy applying for a Challenge Fund grant from the Council for British Archaeology, obtaining licences, organising field work, and site protocols and has completed a Project Design. The first million brambles have also been cleared on the 10 x 10 metre site.
Initial survey work will carried out jointly with the Bath and Camerton Achaeological Society between 4 and 5 May 2010. In the expectation of stage 2 licence being granted excavation work has been scheduled for 5 to 19 July 2010 with public Open Days on 17 and 18 July to coincide with the first weekend of the Festival of British Archaeology.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Librarian and Archivist - job details
Following the announcement that Lorna Haycock, the Sandell Librarian, is to retire, we are now seeking to appoint a new Librarian and Archivist.
The job description and application form are now online.
Applications must be returned by 5pm on 13 May, and we plan to interview shortlisted candidates on 25 May.
The job description and application form are now online.
Applications must be returned by 5pm on 13 May, and we plan to interview shortlisted candidates on 25 May.
Museum Librarian to retire
Our long-standing Librarian, Dr Lorna Haycock, has announced that she will be retiring in June, after 20 years service at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum. Lorna’s knowledge and expertise is well-known, and she has written a number of books about the history of Devizes. She brings the history of the town to life, through her many lectures, and also by her very popular guided walks. At the Museum, she has opened up the treasures of the Library to hundreds of researchers, and is assisted by a team of volunteers.
The Museum will now be starting the difficult task of finding a new Librarian to continue Lorna’s excellent work.
The Museum will now be starting the difficult task of finding a new Librarian to continue Lorna’s excellent work.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Prehistoric Wiltshire DVD Shortlisted for Award
Our Prehistoric Wiltshire DVD - presented by Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology and Time Team - has been shortlisted for the BUFVC Learning on Screen Award for best Undergraduate Film. The DVD is now on sale for £12 plus p&p from our shop.
Monday, 12 April 2010
EVENING LECTURE: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Blacknall Field, Pewsey
Illustrated lecture by Dr Bruce Eagles outlining the final conclusions of the post-excavation report on the excavation of the Saxon cemetery at Blacknall Field, Pewsey
The excavation, led by the late Ken Annable, uncovered more than 100 graves of men, women, children and infants, many of them accompanied by grave goods – swords, spears and jewellery – all of which are now in the Museum. Many of these objects can be dated to between AD c475 to c550, suggesting the starting date of the cemetery was among the earliest in this area. Detailed examination of the human bones indicates that the population was reasonably healthy, but also suffered much weapon-inflicted violence, perhaps related to the fact that at that time Pewsey lay near the western limit of Saxon settlement at the frontier with the Britons,
The long-awaited monograph on the excavation will be published on 21 April 2010. Copies of the book will be available to purchase after the lecture, at a 20% discount off the normal price of £40. Members who placed pre-publication orders may also collect their copies during the evening.
Stay after the lecture, have a glass of wine and view some of the artefacts in the Museum’s Saxon Gallery.
NB - an academic seminar on the excavation will be held at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London on 30 June 2010. Programme and other information will be posted on the Society website shortly.
Booking:
Essential. Contact the Bookings Secretary on 01380 727369 or send us an e-mail.
The excavation, led by the late Ken Annable, uncovered more than 100 graves of men, women, children and infants, many of them accompanied by grave goods – swords, spears and jewellery – all of which are now in the Museum. Many of these objects can be dated to between AD c475 to c550, suggesting the starting date of the cemetery was among the earliest in this area. Detailed examination of the human bones indicates that the population was reasonably healthy, but also suffered much weapon-inflicted violence, perhaps related to the fact that at that time Pewsey lay near the western limit of Saxon settlement at the frontier with the Britons,
The long-awaited monograph on the excavation will be published on 21 April 2010. Copies of the book will be available to purchase after the lecture, at a 20% discount off the normal price of £40. Members who placed pre-publication orders may also collect their copies during the evening.
Stay after the lecture, have a glass of wine and view some of the artefacts in the Museum’s Saxon Gallery.
NB - an academic seminar on the excavation will be held at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London on 30 June 2010. Programme and other information will be posted on the Society website shortly.
Booking:
Essential. Contact the Bookings Secretary on 01380 727369 or send us an e-mail.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Insignia of Dignity: The Bush Barrow Burial - Lecture by David Dawson - 29th April
Our Director, David Dawson is giving a Lecture on the Bush Barrow Burial on the 29th at Salisbury Museum.
Tickets are £5 (members) £6.50 (non-members)
To book please contact the Museum
The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EN
(01722) 332151
Tickets are £5 (members) £6.50 (non-members)
To book please contact the Museum
The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EN
(01722) 332151
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Cathedrals as History - lecture by Jon Cannon - 23 April
Writer and broadcaster, jon Cannon is lecturing about Cathedrals as History; a Thousand Years. Jon worked for English Heritage, and teaches at the University of bristol. He wrote 'Cathedral: The Great English Cathedrals and the World That Made Them', and presented the 2008 BBC Documentary 'How to Build a Cathedral'.
This will be the Wiltshire Victoria County History Annual Lecture, in conjunction with Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. The lecture will on 23 April, and the evening will begin with a glass of wine at 7. Tickets are £10 and are available from Salisbury Museum or by post from WVCH, 21 Elizabeth Drive, Devizes, SN10 3SB.
This will be the Wiltshire Victoria County History Annual Lecture, in conjunction with Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. The lecture will on 23 April, and the evening will begin with a glass of wine at 7. Tickets are £10 and are available from Salisbury Museum or by post from WVCH, 21 Elizabeth Drive, Devizes, SN10 3SB.
Where has Grim's Ditch gone?
The latest WANHS Archaeology Field Group newsletter about their project at Grims Ditch is now online. The team were looking fo evidence about Grim's Ditch in the South of the County, near Hindon.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Museum open over Easter! White Horses exhibition now open!
Our latest exhibition - White Horses and Hill Figures - is open over Easter. We are open on Saturday (10-5), Sunday (12-4) and Monday (12-4).
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