Introducing the March/April issue of British Archaeology

Submitted by Andy B on Saturday, 12 February 2005 Page Views: 3568

Mike Pitts summarises the March/April edition of British Archaeology magazine for us:

* The great stone circles project
First news of a major fieldwork study of British stone circles - the first of its kind since a British Association project started in 1899 - that began on the Scottish Isles of Arran, Lewis and Mainland, Orkney. At Vestra Fiold, Orkney, excavations revealed what are thought to be the first megalith quarries ever seen in Britain. At the heart of the study is the belief that to understand the circles, the question to ask is not "what were they used for", but "how did they come to be"?

* The extreme sport of hedge laying
As we went to press, the hunting act (notwithstanding the efforts of the Countryside Alliance) was set to become law on 18 February. We know about animals and rural employment, but, says Jonathan Finch, there is more than that to hunting with hounds. He traces its impact on our landscape from hunting's origins in the 18th century. He reveals that 19th century railways helped hunts by making them accessible to town dwellers, and that hunts planted scrub and created artificial earths to encourage foxes to breed. Specialised listed buildings may be at risk as they face a new future.

* The world's first snowshoes?
Jacqui Wood made reconstructions of Oetzi's cloak and shoes for the museum in Bolzano, Italy, when the frozen 5,300-year old iceman and his kit went on public display in 1998. She followed the archaeologists' interpretations, but was puzzled by the shoes. Now she has made more replicas for a forthcoming TV film, and believes she has solved the shoe problem. What are conventionally described as a leather boot and wooden and string fragments of a backpack or pannier, she says, are in fact the remains of a snowshoe, of standard modern north American size and shape. In support of her theory, she points out that the tight grass cloak the man was wearing would have made it impossible for him to have worn a backpack.

* First historic cockfighting pit found
Archaeologists in St Ives, Cambs, were puzzled by a shallow circular ditch behind urban tenements in the medieval town centre, until historical research revealed the site had names linked to cockfighting (le Pits) and an 18th century will that referred to "the Cockpit". Though still practised, the sport was banned in the UK in 1835.

* Digging up the space age
The extraordinary story of how English Heritage fieldwork, with heritage lottery funded research conducted by the Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, revealed the extensive cold war testing site for Blue Streak, Britain's only intermediate range ballistic missile. In the 1950s the Ministry of Works led the world in reinforced concrete: huge concrete structures now lie abandoned in the remote Spadeadam moorlands in Cumbria. Amongst the discoveries is a hole dug for a Blue Streak launching silo, for which no records are known to exist.

* Archaeology by community
Community archaeology projects, in which local people pool their varied skills under the guidance of a single professional archaeologist, have taken off in North Yorkshire. Ian Pearce and Kevin Cale report.

* The circus comes to Colchester
Following the recent announcement of a Roman circus in Essex, archaeologists who made the discovery give their first report on what they found and its significance.

* Julian Cope talks about his archaeology
Revealing that he was put off megaliths because of their association with hippies, until his mother in law told him Stonehenge was built by Greeks, and that he identifies with an early 19th century baronet

REGULARS
* Archaeology in view
Some key players in TV archaeology talk about their hopes and fears
* Spoilheap
Is concerned that the National Maritime Museum appears to be confused about its ancient ships
* Books
Mesolithic Scotland, bronze age boats and other titles
* Opinion
John Schofield wants respect for graffiti
* Science
Sebastian Payne on the promise of ancient DNA
* Briefing
The comprehensive listing of archaeological activities, with exhibition news
* Letters
The good news about battlefield archaeology, and more Nebra debate
* CBA News

British Archaeology magazine is the only UK-wide retail British archaeology magazine, available bimonthly by subscription and in larger WH Smiths and Borders and selected independent newsagents

Mike Pitts, editor

Contributor Bio for Andy B: Megalithic Portal Founding Editor.

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