George
Author's posts
Sep 25
Guide – Hidden Remains
Hidden Remains Identification of features is simplified when the full extent of remains such as earthworks, can be easily seen. However, once the roof has gone, the walls perished or robbed, the interior burnt and the wreck left to perish for hundreds of years, the remainder flattened and used as a field for crops, the …
Sep 25
Guide – Visible Remains
Visible Remains “The identity of an earthwork can be determined to a certain extent by the shape of the field marking that is left. If it is square or rectangular with rounded comers, it is highly likely that the constructors were from the Roman army. If it is an irregular quadrilateral with a gateway on …
Sep 25
Guide – Glossary
Glossary of prehistoric features This section was compiled with the help of the English Heritage NMR record. It currently includes descriptions for those Military, Domestic and Agricultural features that would have been in existence up to the Roman Period in Britain. Primary Name Alternate Name(s) Description ALTAR An elevated table or podium on which to …
Sep 25
Guide – Desktop
A Guide to DIY archaeology The Desktop Search Virtually all archaeological investigations begin with a desktop search of one form or another, the term desktop search simply means the sort of research you can do from a desk. Assuming that you have read the first section of this guide, you will already know about the …
Sep 25
Guide – LOS Analysis
Line of site analysis The purpose of using line of site analysis is to better understand the sites relationships with other locations, to identify possible trade and communications routes, and the location of other possible sites of interest, as well as providing an element of “evidence by association”. For example, a church on a possible …
Sep 25
Guide – Getting Started
How to research an ancient site Introduction The first step in researching any site, is to understand what is already known about it, many sites have had previous archaeological research, often there are air photographs or even excavation reports. Clearly it makes sense to understand as much as possible about a site before going on …
Sep 25
Guide, Introduction
A Guide to DIY archaeology Introduction Background – Man’s impact on the landscape For thousands of years men and women have fashioned the landscape according to their needs. Through the processes of farming, industrial development and related activities the successive occupying people have left their own unique mark. Initially, the geology of an area, the …
Sep 25
Castle Dykes, North Stainley
Castle Dykes – North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire This earthwork was partially excavated in 1870, these revealed the foundations for a Roman villa of obvious opulence. It’s final Roman owners were believed to have suffered a grisly death as the villa burnt around them. It is likely that future excavations will reveal that the villa …
Sep 22
Heads at St Michael, Kirklington
An analysis of head carvings in a local area In many churches throughout England there are carvings of possible pagan origin, others, whilst appearing to have been carved in a clearly Christian time, seem to recall pagan themes. This initial research report looks at one particular set of carvings at the Church of St Michael, …
Sep 22
Timeline 60BC – 138AD
Roman/Celtic Time Line The Celts were the dominant force in western Europe in the mid to late Iron Age, reaching a peak during the mid 1st millenium BC. In fact it was the sack of Rome by the Celts which stimulated the Romans to re-fortify and ultimately become the dominant military force in Europe for …
