Cambridge Antiquarian Society - Monthly Talk (Jointly with the Prehistoric Society)
'Rivers of Bronze: the eastern fens of East Anglia in the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age' by Rob Wiseman (OA East)
Monday 1st October 2018 at 6pm
Faculty of Law, West Road, Sidgwick Site, University of Cambridge, CB3 9DZ
There is no charge for visitors or guests at lectures. New members are warmly welcomed.

 

Fane Road Archaeology Group - Monthly Talk
'Nassington Roman Barn – Year 3' by Derek Roberts (MidNAG)
Monday 1st October 2018 at 7pm
The Parkway Sports & Social Club, Maskew Avenue, Peterborough, PE1 2AS
FRAG members have been excavating a Roman Barn at Nassington in conjunction with MidNAG. Derek Roberts will provide details about the latest discoveries and what we are learning about agriculture, industry and daily life in the Nene valley during the Roman period.
All welcome (Members: Free; Non-members: £5).

 

Cambridge Archaeology Field Group - Monthly Talk
'Aspects of some recently excavated Anglo-Saxon cemeteries from Cambridgeshire' by Paul Spoerry (OA East)
Wednesday 3rd October 2018 at 7:30pm
McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Downing site, Cambridge - Parking is available on site from Tennis Court Road.
All welcome (CAFG invite contributions of £1 from non-members)

 

Fen Edge Archaeology Group - Monthly Talk
'The Relhan collection: recording south Cambridgeshire’s antiquities in the early 19th century' by Alison Taylor
Wednesday 3rd October 2018 at 7:30pm
Landbeach Village Hall, 1 The Green, Landbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9FD
Richard Relhan was an apothecary who worked in Cambridge in the early 19th century and was able to devote time to travelling around south Cambridgeshire in a horse and cart, making water colour record drawings of attractive sites and buildings in many villages. There are over 300 of these drawings, many illustrating church monuments and scenes of topographic interest. Unusual items include Barnwell Priory and the Cellarers’ Chequer, Anglesey Abbey and Bartlow Hills. As the drawings were made before Victorian repairs etc were made to churches, and when memorials were still comparatively fresh, the drawings are a valuable historic record. They now belong to Cambridge Antiquarian Society. The University Library has digitised the drawings on behalf of the Society, whose members will prepare notes on many of the monuments recorded, and all will be made publicly available.
Admission: Members £2; Non-members pay £3.

 

Longthorpe Tower - Medieval Experience Day
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th October 2018
10am, 12.30pm and 3pm daily
Have you ever wanted to time travel and become a valiant knight or fine noble lady? Now's your opportunity with this very special event at Longthorpe Tower. You'll be dressed in authentic medieval costume before getting to sample medieval food, have a go at traditional crafts, make medieval cures, and try on a suit of armour – with the help of your very own squire of course! Sessions last 2 hours and each workshop only has 4 places - so booking is essential! £15 per person, over 18s only.
To book, please call Peterborough Museum at 01733 864663. If you require any further information, please call the Museum or email longthorpe.tower@vivacity.org

 

Histon and Impington Archaeology Group - Talk
'Pre-Construct Archaeology: Recent Surprises in East Anglian Commercial Archaeology' by Mark Hinman (Pre-Construct Archaeology)
Monday 8th October 2018 at 7:30pm
Histon Baptist Church, 2 Poplar Rd, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LN
This talk will counter the commonly espoused view that ‘surely archaeologists have found everything there is to find by now’ with Mark’s own impression from a career in commercial archaeology  that ‘we have barely scratched the surface of British archaeology’ . He will use some of the finds from the last 7 years at PCA’s Cambridge office to illustrate this.
Open to all. Members free and visitors £3, accompanied children free. Refreshments available.

 

St Neots Local History Society - Talk
'Revolutionary State? Royal Palaces in Cromwell's England' by Dr Simon Thurley
Thursday 11th October 2018 at 7:30pm
Guest Hall, Priory Centre, St Neots, PE19 2BH
The execution of Charles I brought about the sale of the century. Royal palaces were sold, as were their contents. Just a small number of royal buildings were reserved for the republican regime. Oliver Cromwell was King in all but name and his need for magnificent residences and buildings was as great as any monarchs. In this talk he is shown in an unfamiliar light - interested in French furniture and fashions and holding court in princely style.
Simon Thurley is one of the country’s leading historians, and for thirteen years was Chief Executive of English Heritage. He is a regular broadcaster, presenting a number of television programmes on history, archaeology and architecture as well as author of several books.
All welcome. Cost £5 per person. Tickets available from St Neots Museum, The Old Court, 8 New Street, St Neots, PE19 1AE. Tel. 01480 214163 (or on the door, subject to availability)

 

Witham Archaeology - Finds Display
Sunday 14th October 2018 between 2:30pm and 4pm
Display of archaeological finds by Witham Archaeology
Rampton Village Hall, Church End, Rampton CB24 8QA
Finds from an archaeological dig carried out in Rampton in January this year will be on display along with finds from HEFA test pitting in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Fen Edge Archaeology Group’s test-pitting display will also be on show. During January 2018 Witham Archaeology carried out an archaeological dig in advance of development at 31 High Street, Rampton. Finds from the dig show that the site was occupied mainly during the 12th and 13th centuries. Ditches found at the site probably formed boundaries to a toft which fronted onto the High Street. Finds included pottery, quern stones and animal bone, which came mainly from a cluster of pits on an area of slightly higher ground. The environmental samples from the site show it was a place where people were living rather than farming. The decline in activity at the site after the 13th century is similar to that identified by the HEFA test pit surveys. Refreshments will be available. Proceeds to the Friends of All Saints’ Church.
Everyone welcome. Admission free – drop in at any time.

 

Peterborough Museum - Talk
'Peterborough Abbey and the Peterborough Chronicles' by Nicholas Karn (University of Southampton)
Tuesday 23rd October 2018 at 7.30pm
Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1 1LF
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle from Peterborough is not just a book, for it tells us much about the monks' ideas on identity, place and nation. There were other chronicles and histories written at Peterborough, more than at almost all other English abbeys. These often tell a more local story, about the monks and their links to local society, about the great men who passed through, and about the holy and not-so-holy abbots who ruled the place. Dr Nicholas Karn, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Southampton and an expert on Benedictine monasticism.

 

FenArch - Monthly Talk
'A Landscape through time: Archaeology of the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme' by Tony Walsh (MOLA Headland)
Wednesday 24th October 2018 at 7:30pm
Mendi's Restaurant, 21 Old Market Place, Wisbech, PE13 1NB
This illustrated talk explores the evidence uncovered so far, including Neolithic henge-like monuments, industrial Roman kilns and Saxon settlements. Tony Walsh is one of four Project Managers for MOLA Headland Infrastructure working on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme on behalf of Highways England. He will discuss the fascinating archaeological findings from one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which has brought together the skills and knowledge of over 250 archaeologists.
Admission: Free to all, but booking is essential at info@fenarch.org.uk or Text: ‭07765 172450‬

 

Peterborough Museum - Exhibition
Treasures Exhibition
Open 10am-4pm (except Mondays during term time and Christmas) until Sunday 9th January 2018,
Peterborough Museum, Priestgate, PE1 1LF
National treasures with a connection to the Peterborough area from institutions around the country (including the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum) are being displayed together at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery for the first time ever.
Each of the treasures on display has either been found in or has a very strong link to Peterborough, such as the Water Newton Treasure found at Durobrivae (Ancient Roman Peterborough) and the Casket of St Thomas Becket which was commissioned by Abbot Benedict of Peterborough in 1177.
Free to all.

 

 

Community Volunteer Archaeologist Resource Review
A reminder that Oxford Archaeology is currently undertaking a review of community archaeology 'how to' guides on behalf of New Forest National Park Authority, as part of their 'Our Past, Our Future' Landscape Partnership Scheme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. We have launched an online survey aimed at community volunteer archaeologists who undertake supervised or self-guided archaeological projects, either as part of a community group or as an individual. We are interested in finding out what about where you currently seek guidance on investigating archaeological sites and what you find useful.Here is a link to the online survey: http://surveys.oxfordarchaeology.com/index.php/497754/lang-en The survey will be open until midnight on Sunday 7th October 2018. The review is not about ranking or critiquing existing guidance but getting an understanding of what exists, what is accessible and what volunteers and community groups engage with. It is hoped that this review will be of interest to the wider archaeological sector and help to inform the creation of new resources in the future. Please could you circulate the survey to your contacts in community archaeology and encourage people to respond. If there are people without computer access we would appreciate it if some assistance could be provided for them to complete the survey as we would value their feedback. You can indicate at the end of the survey about whether you would like to be contacted about the results of the survey and our research into community archaeology resources. If you have any questions or queries about the review please contact: community@oxfordarch.co.uk or 01223 850515

 

 

Throughout 2018, we are featuring a different Jigsaw resource guide each month to inform and inspire community archaeologists about best practice. Jigsaw has produced various guides on techniques for researching archaeological sites, identifying archaeological artefacts and on recording and reporting the results of archaeological investigations.
This month's featured best practice guide is: A Basic Introduction to Archaeological Excavation - an introduction to setting up and running an archaeological excavation

 

Wimpole Estate Excavation - Guided tours
Weekdays from Tuesday 14th August - Friday 14th September (except August bank holiday Monday) at 11am and 2pm

Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0BW
This summer, Oxford Archaeology East will be excavating the site of a late Iron Age and Roman settlement ahead of the development of a new visitor centre and car park for the Wimpole Estate. Public engagement is an important part of our work as a registered educational charity, and we will be providing events and opportunities for visitors to view and understand the ongoing excavations. There will be two free ticketed guided tours of the site each weekday, as well as an exhibition of former archaeological finds in the mansion and a children's' archaeological trail around the parkland. More details will be announced nearer the time on the National Trust's website for the Wimpole Estate: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate 
Guided tours are free but ticketed. Tickets available from the Stable Block on the day.

 

Ramsey Abbey Community Archaeology Project - Open Weekend
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th August between 10:00am - 4pm
Abbey College, Abbey Road, Hollow Lane, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire PE26 1DG
A chance to view ongoing excavations in the grounds of Ramsey College, the site of a Benedictine Abbey. The Ramsey Abbey Community Project have carried out a large area of geophysical survey and are now investigating the results of this survey thanks to the generoisty of National Lottery players and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The archaeological work will be carried out by volunteers with the Ramsey Abbey Community Project with the guidance and support of archaeologists from OA East. Members of the public are welcome to visit during the middle weekend of the two week excavation. On Sunday 19th August, have a go at making your own medieval tile with a tile maker.
Free. All welcome.

 

And a date for the diary for Autumn 2018...

 

Fane Road Archaeology Group - Monthly talk
'Baston Manor Pit: a middle Bronze Age and Roman landscape' by Rob Atkins (MOLA)
Monday 3rd September 2018 at 7:00pm
The Parkway Sports & Social Club, Maskew Avenue, Peterborough, PE1 2AS
Fieldwork at Baston took place over a 48ha area between 2002 and 2014. The site is located on the western Fen Edge at between 3m and 5m aOD. The main feature was a middle Bronze Age field system and settlement. A round house, pits, wells and a long routeway for moving and sorting cattle were uncovered. Remains of log ladders, buckets, and hurdles were also found. A small Roman settlement and routeway linked to the Car Dyke was also excavated.

All welcome (Members: Free; Non-members: £5).

 

St Neots Local History Society - Monthly talk
'Curse Tablets in Roman Britain' by Paddy Lambert (OAE)
Friday 7th September 2018 at 7:30pm
Eynesbury Junior School, Montagu St, Eynesbury, Saint Neots PE19 2TD
Curse tablets – the private messages which were never meant to be read, sent to the exotic gods who controlled all things. Over 300 curse tablets have been recovered from Roman Britain, which are unique in the entire Roman Empire. They provide a glimpse into a thoroughly ‘ancient & modern’, world, nearly 2000 years ago. From petty theft, to unrequited love, the curse tablets from Roman Britain were the ‘Ancient Romano-British Twitter’ of its time. Hear about the real Romans, warts and all!
All welcome (Members: Free; Non-members: £3.00)

 

'A Landscape Through Time: Archaeology of the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme' by Tony Walsh (MHI)

Monday 10th September 2018 at 7:30pm

Histon Baptist Church, 2 Poplar Rd, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LN

Tony Walsh, one of four Project Managers for MOLA Headland Infrastructure working on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme on behalf of Highways England, discusses the archaeological findings from one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which brings together the skills and knowledge of over 250 archaeologists. This illustrated talk explores the evidence uncovered so far, including prehistoric henge monuments, industrial Roman kilns and Saxon settlements and will focus on the eastern end of the scheme near Cambridge. Also discover how you could get involved yourself in the future through community archaeology activities and take away information leaflets to share with friends.

Free admission.

 

Eddington Excavation, North West Cambridge Site

Saturday 15th September 2018 between 10am - 4pm

An open day for members of the public (including children) to visit, with exhibitions of some of the finds, information, activities for younger visitors and tours of the current areas of excavation.

For more information see the Open Eddington events listing: http://www.nwcambridge.co.uk/news/open-eddington-0

Free. All welcome.

 

St Neots Local History Society - Talk
'Oliver Cromwell – Revolutionary State? Royal Palaces in Cromwell's England' by Simon Thurley (see attached poster)
Thursday 11th October at 7:30pm
Guest Hall, Priory Centre, St Neots, PE19 2BH
The execution of Charles I brought about the sale of the century. Royal palaces were sold, as were their contents. Just a small number of royal buildings were reserved for the republican regime. Oliver Cromwell was King in all but name and his need for magnificent residences and buildings was as great as any monarchs. In this talk he is shown in an unfamiliar light - interested in French furniture and fashions and holding court in princely style.
Simon Thurley is one of the country’s leading historians, and for thirteen years was Chief Executive of English Heritage. He is a regular broadcaster, presenting a number of television programmes on history, archaeology and architecture as well as author of several books.
All welcome. Cost £5 per person. Tickets available from St Neots Museum, The Old Court, 8 New Street, St Neots, PE19 1AE. Tel. 01480 214163 (or on the door, subject to availability)

 

The cover story of British Archaeology magazine is the archaeological discoveries made on the A14 http://new.archaeologyuk.org/british-archaeology-magazine

 

Throughout 2018, we are featuring a different Jigsaw resource guide each month to inform and inspire community archaeologists about best practice. Jigsaw has produced various guides on techniques for researching archaeological sites, identifying archaeological artefacts and on recording and reporting the results of archaeological investigations.
This month's featured best practice guide is: Medieval Pottery Identification - a more in-depth guide to Medieval pottery types found in Cambridgeshire

 

Cambridge Archaeological Unit - Northstowe Open Day Phase 2
Saturday 30th June 2018 between 10am - 4pm
Access via Old Oakington Barracks gate, Rampton Road, Longstanton, CB24 3EN
Site tours and displays of finds from phase 2 of CAU's excavations at Northstowe. Parking available on site. Sensible footwear advisable.
Open to all. Free.

 

Histon and Impington Archaeology Group - Monthly Talk
'Life round the Green – Histon in the 1890s' by David Oates
Monday 2nd July 2018 at 7:30pm
Histon Baptist Church, 2 Poplar Rd, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LN
David will use original photographs from his family’s extensive collection to introduce you to  people, places and events in the heart of Histon at the turn of the 20th century. Feasts, fires and festivities all happened against a background of now-disappeared cottages at the centre of village life.
Open to all. Members £2 and visitors £3, accompanied children free. Open evenings: free to all. Refreshments available.

 

GamArch - Talk
'Saxons in Gamlingay' by Sarah Inskip (University of Cambridge)
Thursday 5th July 2018 at 7:30pm
Eco Hub, Stocks Lane, Gamlingay, Sandy SG19 3JR
20 years ago an archaeological dig in Gamlingay uncovered a Saxon community with a farmstead, hall and cemetery containing 118 graves. Now, as part of a wider study, a new resarch project by Sarah Inskip at the University of Cambridge is exploring the health and life of these residents. Following a presentation by Sarah last year, she will be updating us about the results of her analysis of the human remains and plans to have a permanent memorial for the Saxon community of Gamlingay.
All welcome.

 

Fen Edge Archaeology Group with Friends of Landbeach Tithe Barn Trust - Talk
Timber-framed Aisled Barns
Saturday 14th July 2018 between 2-4pm
Tithe Barn, Waterbeach Road, Landbeach CB25 9FA
Join Ken Bonham, barn expert and enthusiast, as he explores the timber-framed, aisled barns of south-east England, their construction, distribution and relationship to the aisled barns of the Low Countries. Plus listen to the Fen Edge Archaeology Group talk about their geophysical survey of the land surrounding the Landbeach Tithe Barn.
Free admission, but donations welcome towards the restoration of the Tithe Barn.

 

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology - Exhibition
A Survival Story – Prehistoric Life at Star Carr
20 June 2018 – 30 December 2019
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sunday: 12.00 noon – 4:30 p.m.
MAA, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ
The mysterious 11,000-year-old headdresses, found at the Mesolithic site of Star Carr in Yorkshire are just such an example.
exhibition which focusses on the remarkable discoveries made at Star Carr. 11,000 years ago, Star Carr was situated on the shore of a lake. The lake has long since dried up, but some areas are still waterlogged, preserving bone, antler and wooden objects and providing us with a unique perspective of Mesolithic life.
Admission free

 

The discovery of two late Roman/early Saxon graves during the A14 excavations recently featured in an article on the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jun/18/archaeologists-in-cambridgeshire-find-graves-of-two-men-with-legs-chopped-off For more news from the A14 excavations, you can visit the MOLA Headlands website: https://molaheadland.com/news/

 

Throughout 2018, we are featuring a different Jigsaw resource guide each month to inform and inspire community archaeologists about best practice. Jigsaw has produced various guides on techniques for researching archaelogical sites, identifying archaeological artefacts and on recording and reporting the results of archaeological investigations.
This month's featured best practice guide is: Archaeological Landscape Survey - Principles for Measuring Earthworks