Happy Valley Dig Summer 2009
As part of an ongoing investigation into activity in Happy Valley, Marlow, we are conducting an exploratory excavation. Volunteers and AiM members have been working hard for the last two Sundays and we envisage the dig taking at least two more Sundays.
Part of AiM’s purpose is to educate and train, so we welcome even novice diggers to come along and assist.
Happy Valley is near Beechwood Drive (off the Henley Road and at the junction between the Henley Road and Pound Lane). We meet at 10am and aim to finish at about 12:30 depending on the weather and the willingness of the diggers!
For more information contact John Laker, our Fieldwork Co-Ordinator, on 01628 481792
View Larger Map
Discovering the Iron Age
The Bucks County Archaeologist, Sandy Kidd is coming to give us an interactive talk on the Iron Age. The talk is a break from our normal pattern of talks and is aimed at the younger archaeology enthusiast as well as adults. Therefore the start time for this talk will be earlier than normal, at 7.30pm
Historic Towns Project
To assist co-ordinator David Green with his efforts on the Marlow section of the Historic Towns Project, we will be inviting both local photographers and collectors of photographs in an attempt to accumulate a selection of new and older photographs that will give an accurate feel for the Town of Marlow. So why not come along to see the pictorial records of the Town and, if you have any of your own, please bring them along too. We will gather in the Garden Room, Liston Hall, Liston Road, Marlow at 8.00pm.
Happy Valley Walk
Walk around Happy Valley, Marlow, in association with the Chiltern Woodlands Project.
The walk will cover Happy Valley and the area including the Pullingshill Wood World War 1 trenches, and will be guided by John Laker and other members of AiM.
Archaeology within Wycombe District
Archaeology in Marlow are going to be presenting a talk to Wycombe Arts Festival
Forensic Sciences in Archaeology
A talk about Forensic Sciences in Archaeology. We will write the talk up, once it has occurred, so check back later!
Archaeological Investigations at Sutton Hoo
A report on the Talk
The Archaeology of Sutton Hoo and the Treasures Found There
Thursday 19th March
This was a superbly presented and illustrated talk by Dr Angela Evans, retired head of the Anglo-Saxon Department of the British Museum.
Sutton Hoo, often thought of as a treasure laden ship burial excavated about 70 years ago is much more than that. A major series of mounds, sited on ground overlooking an important river valley was the burial place for the upper echelon of local Anglo-Saxon society, the leaders, the warriors, their relatives and some of their animals have been unearthed over the years.
Many of the mounds appear to have collapsed but further investigation has revealed that they were robbed out in times past. Furthermore recent excavations (1980s – 1990s) uncovered much new material from existing and previously uncovered burials.
Dr Evans’ knowledge of the major artifacts uncovered across northern, middle and eastern Europe and beyond to Asian regions has enabled a better understanding of trading routes of this period in history. The raw materials, processes of manufacture, design, embellishment and decoration all contribute to the creation of patterns of movement and the advancement of peoples towards the British Isles.
The sheer quality of the workmanship and craftsmanship in the items on display and stored in the British Museum, the choice of base materials and the complexity of decoration make it quite obvious that these were grave goods of important people.
Heaving a 90 foot boat to its hilltop resting place must have been an enormous organizational task. The items revealed on excavation show how incredibly technical and developed (despite the lack of specialized tools and equipment) this society had reached. How lucky we are, that ancient graves, with the burial goods, i.e. the necessities for the next life, can still be found and researched and continue to give us more and more information about our ancestors.
Dr Evans’ presentation was not to be missed, her awareness of the Sutton Hoo site to date, is impressive, her knowledge of its history even more impressive. She sold the whole concept of Anglo-Saxon life brilliantly to a limited, but very interested, audience.
Gerry Platten
History and Archaeology of Piggots Wood
Thursday 12th March – History Walk
Pigotts Wood, North Dean, starting at 2pm a guided walk for 2 hours with John Morris to look at the archaeological features found in this interesting ancient beech wood. Please contact John on 01844 355503 or email woodlands@chilternsaonb.org to book. Donations welcomed!
http://www.chilternsaonb.org/events_detail.asp?ID=29501260
Field Trip to St Albans Abbey
Field Trip: St Alban’s Abbey led by Geoff Crockford and Nigel Hughes
We’ll dowse the Abbey and also the grounds of Verulamium park. The park stands on the site of the Roman city of Verulamium, excavated by Sir Mortimer Wheeler in the 1930s. Roman city walls, a mosaic floor and a hypocaust can still be seen. We shall also investigate the mysterious Iron Age earthworks and a long barrow. This will be a fascinating site to visit with a pair of expert guides.
Please check the Thames Valley Dowsers Events page for more details
Bisham connection to Byzantium 330-1453 Exhibition
If anyone is interested in the history of Bisham Abbey and/or is thinking of going to the Byzantium 330-1453 exhibition; on at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, until 22 March, you might be interested to know that the uncle of a resident of Bisham Abbey is featured in the exhibition.
Katherine Grandison lived at Bisham with her husband William Montacute, Earl of Salisbury from c.1337 until her death in 1349. Her uncle, Sir Otho (Othon) Grandison, was a close friend of Edward I and accompanied him, when as Prince Edward, he went on crusade to the Holy Land in 1270. It is this uncle who is represented in the exhibition, on a spectacular altar frontal of red silk, embroidered in gold. His tiny figure is shown kneeling before the Virgin and Child flanked by St Gabriel and St Michael. There is speculation that this was one of his gifts to Lausanne Cathedral where he is buried.
So, If you visit the exhibition, look out for item 256, labelled rather strangely, a Funerary Cloth, on loan from the Historisches Museum, Bern. Maidenhead Civic Society has recently been given permission by the Director of Bern Museum to include a photo of Otho on the altar frontal, in a forthcoming publication about the Grandison family.
Archaeology in Marlow would like to thank Ann Darracott from the Maidenhead Civic Society for this information.
More information about the exhibition, which closes on 22nd March, can be found at http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/byzantium/
More information about Maidenhead Civic Society can be found at http://www.maidenheadcivicsoc.org.uk/
