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Following our successful trip to Angers this summer, Monsieur Brodeur, from their
archaeological club, has suggested a formal twinning of the two societies. Also Monsieur
Boisbouvier, from the Chennehutte site, is keen for us to use our resistivity meter (when
we get it) on his Roman site. Trips to France are not cheap but there may be funding
available from The European Forum of Archaeological Societies, for this to work we need
the involvement of a third country. Fortunately, Angers happens to be twinned with Pisa in
Italy. Audrey Carret, who is the current Ambassadress from Angers, has discovered an
archaeological society in Pisa and has contacted them on our behalf. I am pleased to say
that she has now received a very favourable response from the Italian group, who are keen
to be involved. Paolo Emilio Bagnoli from the Gruppo Archeologico Pisano has seen our
website and is going to add the link to theirs. For those interested, their web
address is www.comune.pisa.it/gr-archeologico
Roman Mosaic found
 Unearthed accidentally by workmen in Somerset, it is being hailed as one of
the most important Roman finds of the last 50 years. The 10 by 6 metre section was
discovered when the workmen started digging for a new road at an office near Ilminster.
English Heritage said the find was unexpected as there were no other indications of Roman
remains in the field at Mill House near the village of Lopen.
The 1,640-year-old mosaic, which came to light in October, is made of tiny red, white
and blue blocks of Somerset limestone and tiles.
Unusually, it depicts a dolphin rather than geometric designs normally seen on Roman
mosaics. English Heritage's Chief Archaeologist David Miles said, "Discoveries of
this type are few and far between".
The mosaic is thought to have formed a floor in a large villa built a mile from the
Roman road, the Fosse Way - now the A303. The road stretched from Lincoln to Exeter and
was one of the major routes of Roman Britain.
Rare fragments of painted wall plaster, tiles from a central heating system and stone
roof slates have also been uncovered along the route. Dr David Neal, a leading mosaic
expert who has dated the find to about AD 360 said: "The site was clearly one of
considerable status, likely to be a substantial villa." The 4th Century was the
golden age for villas, especially in the prosperous West Country. A mosaic floor was one
of the best ways of showing off wealth and status.
However, the find will have to be buried again to protect it over the winter while
archaeologists consider the best way to preserve it.
Framing The Past
A day conference has been arranged for Wednesday 5th December at the Royal Kings Hotel
Lancaster, to which all societies in the North West have been invited. The aim is to
develop a research framework for archaeology in the region. Since the publication of PPG16
and PPG15 there has been a dramatic increase in the number of archaeological projects
carried out in response to development. This has led to concerns that much of this work is
being undertaken without reference to any coherent research framework. In response,
English Heritage proposed that each region should develop a framework within which
projects could be undertaken. As a first step the Association of Local Government
Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) have prepared an Outline Project Design, which has been
distributed to all concerned organisations for views and comments. The conference has now
been convened to bring together representatives from all interested parties –
professionals, volunteers, curators and academics. It is seen as a landmark for
archaeology in the North West. Registration on the day is at 10.30am with lunch at 1.00pm.
If you are interested in attending please contact me as soon as possible.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 5th December at the BP Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, at 7.30 pm as
usual. This month’s speaker is John Walker who is the director of the Greater
Manchester Archaeology Unit. His talk is entitled ‘Some Aspects of Roman
Yorkshire’. As it is the meeting before Christmas the usual refreshments will be
available. Hope to see you there. If not, all the best for Christmas and hope to see you
in the New Year - B.A.
P.S. Please remember there is no meeting in January - the first meeting in the New Year
will be the AGM in February.
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