Programme 2009 - 2010
Day
Date
Title
Speaker
Friday
20th March 2009
Ancient Meols: The North-west's oldest port
There is no physical evidence today of the existence 2000 years ago of what seems to have been a significant settlement on the north edge of the Wirral peninsula. The rise in sea levels over the period, and the propensity for wind-blown sand to cover objects to great depths, have eliminated from view any trace of structures of the time.
The evidence which is available consists of a large collection of finds, of a wide-ranging nature, from the beaches in the area, gathered by various individuals in the last 200 years. Following construction of the sea defences, erosion has been prevented and finds are now uncommon. The finds have been principally metallic in nature, but include non-metallic items. In date they range from neolithic to medieval and later, with the most significant items being Iron Age and Roman. The main cluster of items indicates that the settlement was of the type associated with marine and/or naval activity.
The suggested dating for the settlement is based upon the finding in a small area of comparitively large numbers of Roman coins of types which had been withdrawn from use prior to the invasion and occupation of Britain by Rome in AD43. These coins suggest that Rome already had a major presence in the area long before the invasion occurred. The speaker's hypothesis is that this was a localised peace-keeping force, established to ensure that the regular inter-tribal warfare of the locals did not interfere with the availability of cattle, salt, copper and other minerals from the area.
Dr Philpott also hypothesised that the medieval material resulted from the re-location of the settlement occasioned by encroachment of sand on the earlier site.
The talk was well illustrated with slides and was well presented.
Dr R Philpott
National Museums, Liverpool
Friday
17th April 2009
An Introduction to the British Neolithic: the chambered tombs of Scotland
34 Society members and visitors heard Dr David Hunt give an interesting talk on the Neolithic (New Stone Age: 4,500-2,500BC) Chambered Tombs of Scotland. He gave general background information about the Neolithic, saying this was a time of polished stone axes, when farming was introduced to Britain and Stonehenge was started. People in Scotland were often living in complex houses. He had looked at tombs around the Moray Firth, in the south-west of Scotland and on Orkney. They normally have a passageway with chambers off it, but the whole mound is usually much larger than the area taken by the tombs. Up to 50-60 people were buried in them, often over a long time, and they may have been kept elsewhere before the bones were moved into the tombs. Many of the tombs are decorated with carved patterns, often circles, and the passage usually allows the light at sunrise on the winter solstice to shine on its end. Chambered tombs are found in England, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe, particularly near the Atlantic seaboard.
Dr David Hunt
South Ribble Museum
Friday
15th May 2009
Cattle in the Roman Period
Dr Stallibrass gave a fascinating talk on animals, especially cattle, in Roman Britain. Studies of the animal bones from the forts on Hadrian's Wall and elsewhere have shown that the soldiers were eating mainly beef, in large quantities. During the Roman occupation, most of the local people lived in much the same way as they had been, in small scattered groups of farmsteads. There might have been a small increase in animal production locally, but not a lot, so most of the meat must have been brought in from further afield. There is some evidence for it being brought in as meat, probably cured (e.g. salted or smoked). But Dr Stallibrass also speculated that there were specialist cattle ranches: she suggested that the Scottish southern uplands is one possible area, and then the animals were driven, in much the same way as there was cattle droving before the railways were built.Dr S Stallibrass
University of Liverpool
Sunday
7th June 2009
Visit to Vindolanda
We had a most interesting visit, firstly to the Fort at Vindolanda, and then to the Roman Army Museum at Carvoran.
We were met by Andrew Birley, the director of excavations at Vindolanda, who (ignoring a strong and biting wind) gave us a brief, professional description of the site and the current archaeological excavations. He said that historically it was believed that only soldiers lived in the fort and that civilians, including the soldiers' families, lived in a settlement, or vicus, outside it. However he now thinks there is no clear cut distinction. Both were on military land, which could not be sold, so that no one could own property, it could only be rented. The vicus therefore could only exist as long as the Army was in occupation of the fort - if the army moved on, so did the vicus. In 270 AD the fort was deserted, but it was re-occupied and re-built in its latest form in about 305AD, when the Army came back. The walls were strengthened, but there was no vicus. Everyone was living in the fort.
There are two present excavations, one inside the fort and one in the vicus, which are designed to provide further evidence for this theory, and which will continue for the next five years. The fort excavation is showing that in the fourth century individual houses and shops were built on top of the third-century barrack block. The whole fort has a lot of fourth-century coins suggesting that it had a market, but there are no such coins outside. The coin finds also show that the front half of an earlier military granary was being used in the fourth century for commercial purposes. The third-century vicus had long and narrow strip-houses as taxes were paid on length of the street front. The ground floor was built of stone, but one or two more upper floors were built of timber and daub. They may have overhung the street, which was not wide, so it would have been crowded and dark (but must have cut out the biting wind). Some metal pieces, including a strap end and part of a brooch showed that the fort area continued to be used until the eleventh century; a stone building has been found for this time. There is slag showing there was metal working on site, and stones with inscribed crosses indicate a sixth- or seventh-century Christian presence. During our visit the excavators unearthed a Roman spear-head.
After lunch, we visited the Museum, which has many of the finds from the fort, and also pictures of the fascinating writing tablets, small slices of wood on which people wrote. When these are treated the writing can be read by experts and give a fascinating glimpse of everyday life at that time.
The photographs of our day are here (courtesy of Bill Shannon)
Friday
3rd July 2009
Evening walk round Lytham. We meet at 6.50 for 7pm at Lytham Windmill on the sea front. (See Note B)
Dr Alan Crosby
Saturday
19th September 2009
Visit to Manchester - Gorton Monastery and Castlefield.
27 members assembled on time at the Monastery and were treated to a splendid presentation and slide-show, covering the whole history of the complex, from concept and construction to its present state. The name "Monastery" is factually incorrect but is sanctified by common usage. The correct title is Gorton Friary, as the Franciscan order is open, the friars' task being to provide help and support to the local community. The Monastery web-site, which gives an excellent overview of the site, its history and current usages, can be seen here.
There are 2 sets of photographs from our visit - some by the Webmaster here and some by our Treasurer here.
After a break for lunch, the members assembled at MOSI (the Museum of Science and Industry) for a "Green-badge" guided tour of the Castlefield area, which apparently claims to be the originator of the Industrial Revolution. The area is an interesting juxtaposition of Roman, Victorian and modern development. There are some photographs (courtesy of the Treasurer) here of our tour which show the Castlefield area as it is today. Attached to these are some older photographs (also courtesy of the Treasurer) which demonstrate how the area has changed over the last 30 years.
The weather was kind, being basically dry and calm. A very good day was enjoyed by all.
Friday
16th October 2009
Discovery and Conservation of the Lancaster Roman Tombstone
Heather Davis, from the Lancashire Conservation Studios (and replacing the programmed speaker who was unable to be present), gave an interesting presentation on both the Roman memorial stone that was found in Lancaster in 2005, and on the work of the Studios in its conservation. The Studios are housed in the converted Church of St Mary in Preston, and the story of its conversion was fascinating. It is now a "state of the art" complex of studios for the conservation of paintings and historical artefacts for all the Lancashire Museum Services. It also does work from all over the country on contract.
The memorial stone was its first project, and a very important one. It was found during building works near the canal by the A6 in Lancaster, close to a known cemetery, but no grave was found associated with it. The stone is now displayed in Lancaster Museum, and stands about eight feet tall. The finely-carved stone shows a Roman Cavalry officer on his horse; he is holding the severed head of a barbarian enemy (no doubt British) with the officer's foot on the back of the headless body beneath the horse. Such stones have been found on the continent and eight complete ones have been found in England, but no others have a severed head. Below is a commemoration to the officer, Iscus, which still has traces of red paint. The whole stone would have originally been painted, and though gruesome is a magnificent sculpture.
Heather Dowler
Lancaster Museum
Friday
20th November 2009
Preston Friary Excavations
Very little is known about the Friary at Preston, other than the basic fact of its existence. There are occasional references to it in the documentary record - for instance Henry III gave it some land in 1260. Its location is also not definitively identified, but was believed to have been adjacent to Marsh Lane, on the site of the proposed new International Hotel. Therefore, when construction began, the opportunity was taken to carry out a rigorous archaeological examination of the site. This area of Preston has been extensively used over the years since the Dissolution, and particularly during and after the construction of the Lancaster Canal. As a result the only features expected to be identified were canal wharves and the like.
In fact the team found a number of graves, pieces of medieval floor tiles and the foundations of a small part of a building. The area dug was very small, so it was impossible to confirm what the building was, but from its shape and orientation it may have been the north transept of the Friary church. After the Dissolution the site was bought by Thomas Holcroft for a house. He may have pulled down the church and used the domestic building for his house. Later this may have become the House of Correction, which is shown on early maps south of the excavation site, and is now probably under the Guild Way. So the foundations could well have been in the right place to be the church and some of the burials seem to be from after the Dissolution. It was very interesting to hear about something whose only lasting legacy to Preston is the name Friargate: that is, the road of the Friars.
Stephen Rowland
Oxford Archaeology North
Friday
15th January 2010
Annual Dinner - Amelie's Restaurant, Coppull, Chorley.
On a very cold and wintry evening 17 brave souls ventured into the depths of wildest Coppull and were rewarded with a superb meal cooked to perfection, presented with French style and panache, and served with excellent timing and grace. And at a very competitive price. A lovely evening was enjoyed by all. Our thanks to Anna-Marie, Olivier and the staff.
Friday
19th February 2010
AGM and members' evening
Note A
Additional information will be posted here, or in the Diary, as soon as it becomes available. This information will include methods of travel (coach or car), costs, times and detailed itineraries.
Note B
Members and guests are only invited to participate in this visit on the condition that they take care to avoid injury to themselves and to others and to property belonging to themselves and others. By agreeing to participate in this visit they accept that neither the Society nor its officers or leaders accepts responsibility for any loss caused by any person on the visit, however caused.
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