Anne Lightbrown’s Delightful Tour of our Recent Event

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Museum, News, Visitors

ArchFest 17 was a brilliant event (and the fact that people turned up enthusiastically in the rain is testament to that!). We were very busy all weekend with 1277 visitors to the museum and it was those people and the part played by the tremendous volunteers and staff that helped to make the weekend enjoyable whilst getting thoroughly soaked!

Dr Phil Harding’s dig (using Mick Aston’s shovel and overlooked by the giant statue in the front garden!) for the remains of the lost gatehouse (guided by old maps and geophysics) found some medieval tiles and pottery while providing a fascinating insight into practical archaeology and demonstrated to the onlookers that a lot can be accomplished in a small amount of time and space. Within just a few hours they had found something they did not know before and this was the essence of archaeology. The discoveries, paired with Phil’s humour, made the dig incredibly popular and his tent always had a crowd round it. Whilst amongst the crowds I met a family who had come from Southampton and whose daughter was interested in archaeology even at her young age. They said they were “really enjoying watching the dig”, and from what they could see from where they were standing, couldn’t wait to have a look round the rest of the stands as they all looked “very interesting”. Working with Phil was Lorraine Mepham who is a finds specialist. She worked throughout the event identifying objects which she would discuss with a sold-out crowd in a talk the following day.

Adjacent to the dig was cooking masterclasses. Although some of the ingredients may have been brought from Tesco, it just shows it is still possible to connect with history in the modern day. Visitors could also enjoy slightly less historical hot dogs and burgers brought from a BBQ.

Another live demonstration included that of the College of Chivalry which showed eager listeners the importance of archery in conflicts of the past as well as teaching them how to be proper archers. The first of these lessons was that you “shoot”, not “fire” a bow as many people may have thought, due to the inconsistencies of Hollywood.

Some of the many projects showcased included Human Henge who described their first year at the festival as “wonderful”. They were highlighting the work they are doing to help people with mental health problems engage with culture and history through a partnership with Bournemouth and English Heritage. This was a very exciting stall as this is a pilot project (so new it is still in its research phase) which will hopefully be developed by June 2018. The Maritime Archaeology bus gave visitors a chance to engage with maritime archaeology including World War One ship wrecks. This seemed to have captured the imagination of many young visitors as at the end of the day they could be seen sailing boats they had made with Scrapstore in the puddles that had formed – you know what they say about lemons and lemonade! Waterloo Uncovered were enjoying their first year at the festival displaying finds from the last three years of work. This project involves leading battlefield archaeologist working with veterans from recent campaigns and helping to aid their recovery and rehabilitation into life after the army. Their stall was supplemented by virtual tours of the farmhouse three times a day which provided another different type of activity. Whilst Waterloo Uncovered were enjoying their first time at the festival, Friends of Clarendon were equally enjoying their third time at the event. They say that it is the “enthusiasm of the people they meet” and the enjoyment they get from talking about the ”fantastic site” which keeps them coming back (and they will hopefully return in the future too!). The Cathedral was kept secure by the Butser IX Legion marching around it impressively while General Pitt-Rivers told us of his contribution in the early days of archaeology.

All whilst this was happening, a variety of highly interesting talks were taking place from a diverse range of speakers with an equally mixed selection of topics being a pioneering female journalist for the BBC (Kate Adey) to the “Pompeii of Britain” (Must Farm). The knowledge the speakers brought, coupled with opportunity for intellectual questions and answers made them very informative.

Overall, the weekend was very successful and enjoyed by all who attended. We learned a lot and enjoyed learning it and we hope to see you next year!

ArchFest 17 in Numbers

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Museum, News, Salisbury, Visitors, Volunteering

In 2 days

15 staff members, a lot of colleagues from the café, and over 50  Volunteers were busy.

Over 70 exhibitors and living history enthusiasts and 22 clubs, groups and organisations were involved.

There were 12 speakers, there was one General Pitt Rivers.

1277 visitors came.

A Festival of Archaeology Weekend

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Museum, News

This gallery contains 15 photos.

Thank you

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Museum, News

This, from one of the exhibitors at ArchFest this weekend. It says it all about everyone involved:

I haven’t stopped laughing yet!! What a way to end the weekend!!

Despite all the little difficulties, we had a brilliant two days – better than last year. The visitors who braved the conditions were genuine enthusiasts and the discussions (often protracted due to showers keeping them under cover with us) extremely varied, challenging and productive. We were all hoarse by the end of each day.

A great part of the success was due to the hard work of your team of volunteers who retained their good humour throughout. In particular the tea and coffee team really sustained us all, by their constant attention and steady supply of the cheering brews.It didn’t seem to matter what queries and problems we exhibitors threw at anyone, staff member or volunteer, they were dealt with quickly and cheerfully.

The Fire Drill was a stroke of genius to wind up the proceedings just when the rain was beginning to make us a bit despondent!! Sorry – joke intended. But again I have to say how impressed I was at the efficiency and professionalism with which you all cleared the building. I don’t know how long it took, but it was pretty damn quick – clearing the gazebos was a bit more difficult, but you still did it.

Congratulations to everyone concerned.

Thankyou

Emergency procedures were flawless (it wasn’t a practice!)

Highest Security in the Close

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News, Salisbury

We will all have had the last minute, intriguing, email from Bridget last week, informing us that access into and within the Close was to be severely restricted on the Thursday. During Wednesday, the grass to the west of the Cathedral was transformed with tiered seating and marquees and there was the sound of military bands and marching boots as rehearsals took place.  The sadly now familiar business of pulling up man-hole covers and careful resealing them after a search, took place. On Thursday police were everywhere and bags were searched, but it is to everyone’s credit that this manages to be done in a still relatively relaxed atmosphere.

Who was coming? What was happening? Again, sadly, once upon a time it would have been all over the newspapers and local people would have been able to join in the fun but it is the way of the world now that it cannot be. Nevertheless, those of us in the Close were pleased to watch and enjoy the Army Air Corps celebrate its 60th anniversary with Prince Charles.

Their pride was evident in the immaculate uniforms, marching and music. Prince Charles arrived, appropriately, in a helicopter, which landed in the Close and after speeches, presentation of colours and a brief service, we understand that a good lunch was enjoyed by all.

Happy Birthday!

The Quest for Mounds

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Archaeology, English Heritage, Museum, News, Wessex, Wiltshire

Last week, we reported on Dr Leary’s talk about his team’s work at Marden henge in the Vale of Pewsey.  Just part of the work involves the study of the remains of the hill within the henge, called Hatfield Barrow, now flattened.

It had been excavated by Sir Richard Colt Hoare in the early nineteenth century, found to be largely empty, and when it collapsed into the excavation hole it was levelled by the farmer. The modern excavations of the remains show this mound was contemporary with Silbury, though smaller than, (the largest pre-historic mound in Europe), built circa BC 2 400. Dr Leary was sufficiently intrigued by this to consider an excavation of another, apparently similar, mound in the area, Marlborough Mound in the grounds of Marlborough School.

Legend has it that Marlborough Mound contained the bones of Merlin, and it certainly was the motte on which the Norman keep of Marlborough Castle was built around AD 1100. Was it older than this? With considerable support from the College itself, and from other agencies, Dr Leary was able to co-ordinate the extraction of cores from the mound which, with carbon dating by English Heritage, showed that the mound was also originally built c BC 2 400.  Three such mounds in one small area!

Silbury – the largest of the three mounds mentioned here

For Jim Leary, this raised the question – what about the other mounds, scattered around the country, and most, like Marlborough, assumed to be Norman mottes?

He was able to do similar research on a number. The audience at the museum talk waited with bated breath as the slide with time-lines went up on the screen, to reveal….. No, all the mounds further investigated were, as originally thought, about one thousand years old, ie Norman. Except one.  It wasn’t circa 5 000 years old, but Iron Age (just over two thousand years old). And the only known example in this country.

It is at Skipsea in Yorkshire.  On the Continent these Iron Age hills were the wealthy ‘seats’ of nobility, always associated with enclosures which, in turn, always show, through finds, amazing cultural links with far-flung places.  Does Skipsea have an enclosure?  Oh yes……. it does. What a time to be in archaeology!

See the Round Mounds Project for more.

 

THE LOST CITY OF OLD SARUM reported by Volunteer Ann Howell

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Archaeology, Museum, News, volunteer, Wiltshire

ALEX LANGLANDS AT THE CHALKE VALLEY HISTORY FESTIVAL 2017

Sponsored by Salisbury Museum

A personal impression by Ann Howell

Well, it rained, but this did not dampen the happy atmosphere at the site. The site was  on farmland at the back of Broad Chalke. This was my first visit and I was very impressed how big and well organised the whole festival was, with helpful, welcoming staff.

By 4.55pm the huge tent was packed, the talk being at 5pm.

Adrian gave a short talk on the Museum and then Alex began. He is impressive, not least because he does not try to be so. His delivery was casual with not a single note in sight. His vast knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject was self-evident. Images were projected onto a very large screen at the front of the tent which could be seen clearly by everyone. He began by outlining what most of us already knew about Old Sarum. How William I built a motte and bailey castle on site in 1067 and then in August 1086 called all the Tenants-in-chief and landowners of any account to swear fealty to him against all men. This was a “monumental occasion”, Alex said, and asked the question – did William pick Old Sarum for this purpose on an ordinary hill fort or was it already an important site in Anglo Saxon times?  There is evidence to suggest that it was the latter.  The Romans built five roads leading from Old Sarum.  And in Anglo-Saxon times there was a cross roads leading to Mercia in the north, Wilton in the west, Winchester in the east and to the south the coast.  It was, in fact, an ideal  trading post and perhaps an administration centre?

He presented geophysical survey maps on screen which clearly showed evidence of activity beyond the moat on the Stratford-sub-Castle side.  There was a lot going on, “..but what?” he asked. His team will be attempting to find out in the next three weeks of digging in this area. We all wait with bated breath for the result.

If you have not heard Alex Langlands speak, please make every effort to do so. You will not be disappointed. He will be at Salisbury Museum on 22 July speaking on the same subject!

CVHF Talk Sponsored by Salisbury Museum

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Archaeology, Museum, News

Dr Alex Langlands, renowned historian and broadcaster, and long-time friend of this museum, is speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival today (5pm). His talk, ‘The Lost City of Sarum’ will be reprised at our own Festival of Archaeology on Saturday 22 July at noon so if you can’t manage Broad Chalk today, then book a ticket with us for July.

Volunteer Ann Howell will be joining Director Adrian Green and Chair of Trustees Susanna Denniston at the Festival to publicise the Museum which is sponsoring this talk by Dr Langlands.  It will be a popular event. We wish them fine weather and a good crowd.

Steam Car Club of Great Britain at Salisbury Museum

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News, Salisbury, Wiltshire

A Wiltshire Wander in blazing sunshine brought a group of magnificent vehicles to the Museum forecourt today.

Thank you for your visit – safe journey onwards.

Volunteer trip to Avebury

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News, Volunteers, Wessex, Wiltshire

On Monday, volunteers from The Salisbury Museum and other local organisations had the opportunity to visit Avebury, meet and socialise with one another, and to have a guided tour of the site, as well as visit the manor, church and museums. Forty attended in all, eighteen from our museum, seven from Wessex Archaeology, nine from Wiltshire Museum and six from Stonehenge, English Heritage. It was organised by the Stonehenge and Avebury Learning and Outreach Group (SALOG), and hosted, of course, by Avebury itself who opened up their doors and made sure that, amongst other things, we had excellent refreshments by way of coffee, tea and cake.

Feedback from volunteers:

“Thanks for this little adventure, Bridget. Very enjoyable, even if once again I asked awkward questions!   Not intentionally, of course!”

“Thank you so much for organising the trip today.  No matter how many times I visit Avebury I am always in awe of our ancestors and always learn more about our past.  It was a great day out and the Manor House was a revelation too. Mo and I took every opportunity to handle and examine the exhibits. As Miranda would say “such fun”. Thank you.” 

“I’ve been before, but not for many years.  I had no idea how vast it is.  It was so special to have a guided tour.”

   

An artist’s impression showing the method that might have been used to move and lift the stones

Excavations suggest that Avebury was begun around 2 600 BC, with the digging of the spectacular ditch and bank. The addition of the stones, sarsens, was a little later, and presumably undertaken over a considerable period of time. It is said that as many as six hundred stones may have been erected, creating a huge outer circle, two inner circles and marking two avenues, each well over a mile (which is about 1.5km) long . It is thought possible that there were, in fact, four avenues, but there is no evidence as yet. The stones weigh up to ten tons (or tonnes) each.

Most of the stones had fallen or had been broken up for building purposes when, in 1935, Alexander Keiller (of marmalade fame) bought the manor house and much of the land around about.  His work followed on from that of earlier archaeologists and antiquarians. He had the stones re-erected and where they were no longer available, he marked the places with concrete posts. This was not guesswork. Stones which had earlier been removed to be broken up for building would have had a fire set beneath them. This was the best way to do it – the hot rock eventually splitting and taken away in wheelbarrows or on carts. It is, of course, the burning in the soil that tells the archaeologist where the stones have been. This is how the archaeologists have been able to trace the avenues, where very few of the original stones remain.

The bank is nearly a mile around and encloses about 28 acres (11 hectares). It is calculated that it would have taken about 1.5 million man hours to complete. It encloses the ditch (originally about 30 feet or 9m deep) , suggesting that the bank was for watching from and the ditch to prevent the ‘audience’ from getting any closer to what was going on. What ever it was, it was important.

Described variously as the largest henge in the world, in Europe, but certainly in Britain, this monument is apparently pre-dated by Stonehenge (in its earliest form), although both were almost certainly in use at the same time in the third millenium BC and it is possible that Avebury is earlier than currently estimated (see recent newspaper reports). Were they used for the same purpose, or same sort of purpose? Were they linked in some way? Were they rivals? Why were they built in this part of Britain? How were so many people drawn in to help construct these places? The assumption is that it is religion (in the broadest sense) that provides the motive and impetus, the focus, for such undertaking. Is it just so far from our modern view of the world that we can’t quite comprehend it?

A great day out. Many thanks to Bridget and all others concerned.