Britain’s Bloodiest Battle

Did any body see ‘Secrets of the Dead’ the other week on Channel 4 - the one about the Battle of Towton in the Wars of the Roses? It was a bit grim but cleverly demonstrated how modern forensic science could be used to reconstruct the final stages of a battle scene.  On Palm Sunday, in 1461, 60,000 men gathered in a field outside Towton, near York.  According to the history books, by the end of that day, 28,000 of them were dead or dying.  Three years ago, 37 skeletons from this battle were discovered near Towton Hall.  These men had met their ends brutally, possibly after being taken prisoner and tortured.  They showed evidence of massive head wounds; even signs of mutilation.  Blade hack-marks indicated that noses and ears had been sliced off and there were puncture marks in their skulls.  Shannon Novak, an American forensic anthropologist, was able to show the sequence in which the blows were inflicted and also evidence of previous battle wounds which had healed.

CIA Congress

Last month Adrian Morris and I attended the Congress of Independent Archaeologist held at Sheffield University.  The theme this year was ‘Demystifying Archaeology’ and there was a full programme of speakers ranging from ‘Vanishing Datums’ to ‘The Law for Archaeologists’.  The contrast in speaker styles was striking and some talk re-organising, due to last-minute cancellations, all added to the entertainment of the day, which was most informative.  A full account of the proceedings is to be forwarded to me and will be available shortly for those who are interested.  Delegates came from all over Britain and during the breaks we got in conversation with a number of other ‘independent’ archaeologists.  These included Ed Archer and Alan Paton from the Lanark Arch.  Soc. (Ed had previously given a marvellous account of his work on a Franciscan Monastery).  Alan told us of an expert on water mills who may be able to help us with our work on the Arley Mill.  I have forwarded the details.  We also spoke to Eric Houlder from Pontefract Arch Soc.  Members who went on the Pontefract trip a few years ago, will remember Eric who gave us a wonderful guided tour round the castle.  He is now a freelance archaeological photographer and has been involved in a number of important excavations over the last few years including Sutton Hoo and the Towton war grave.  It was Eric who provided the photographs for the recent TV programme.  He has agreed to give the society a talk in the new year – the date has yet to be set. 

Constitution

For various reasons we have come to the conclusion that the society needs a proper written constitution, so last month the committee met and put together a draft version.  I have included it with this newsletter to give you a chance to review it.  If there is anything you wish to change or add, you can let us know in plenty of time for the AGM in February when we will be able have a formal vote on it.

Next Meeting

(Wednesday 6th October at the our new venue the BP Centre in Greenough Street at 7.30 pm as usual.)

If you travel up the M6, looking to your right just past the Standish turn-off (careful how you drive), you get a marvellous view of the westerly tip of a group of hills known as the Pennine Chain.  This scene, known locally as ‘Winter Hill’ and ‘The Pike’, has been unchanged (apart from the odd TV mast) for many thousands of years.  This month’s speaker is Dr Martin Bain, who will be giving us a talk on the Historic Landscape of Rivington and Anglezark, which lie in the shadows of these hills.  By studying the archaeological and palaeo-ecological evidence, Dr Bain has been able to trace the permanent influence of man on the landscape, from forest cover to grass and heathland communities and the shift towards open moorlands as we know them today. 

Last Summer, Dr Bain gave the society a most interesting account of the palaeolithic history, based on the research he has been carrying out over the past 10 years.  On Wednesday he will be presenting the next instalment, which includes the Bronze and Iron Age periods.

Hope to see you there - B.A.