Project Framework Underway

Following the meeting in Lancaster in December last year, Lancashire County Council Archaeological Services have published a Project Outline setting out the scope, method and structure for the first two stages of the ‘Research Framework for the North West’. The aim of the Project is to complete a Resource Assessment for the region and then set out a Research Agenda. To be completed in the next two years, these two stages will set the scene for the next two phases, which will include a Research Strategy and a detailed Research Project. The resulting Framework will provide the basis for planning, research, protection and long-term management of the archaeological resources of the area. Throughout the process, full consultation will be maintained with all interested parties including professional organisations (such English Heritage) through to local societies and private individuals. If you are interested and want to see more please see me at the meeting.

Conferences

‘How dark were The Dark Ages?’ This one-day conference is to be held at Lancaster University on Saturday 16th February. It will consist of a series of lectures which will attempt to address this difficult question.

Also at Lancaster, the University’s 29th Annual Archaeological Conference has been arranged for 9th March in the Faraday Lecture Theatre. It is to be chaired by Dr David Shotter, who will present a full programme of speakers covering a whole range of subjects.

If you are feeling more adventurous, you may fancy the two-day conference Sheffield University are holding, exploring ‘the relationship between archaeology and the public in 21st century’. Hosted by the Sheffield Archaeological Forum - “Archaeology in the Public Domain” is to be held on the weekend of 9th & 10th March. It is a national event drawing on renowned speakers from across the country.

Details of all these events at the meeting.

Millstone Study

The Roman millstone found by Tim McAvoy last year near his home at Worthington, has thrown up a number of questions, which are proving difficult to answer. How old is it? Was it made locally or imported? Who used it? A French excavation report, however, from a town near Angers may provide the answers. Given to the society as a gift from M. Broduer on our summer trip, it describes a site 30km south of Angers near the town of Mazeirers. Excavations here have revealed a small industrial community dating from the earliest period of the Roman occupation. Over the years many pieces of millstones have been discovered (nearly two-dozen in all) some complete and even matched pairs. The archaeological report includes a very comprehensive study of the stones including a detailed analysis of their form and function. Using this study we should be able to compare our example and hopefully answer some of the unanswered questions. One small drawback however is that the report is in French. I am presently using a computer translator but with limited success. I’m looking, therefore, for a volunteer with time on their hands . 

Roman Road Website

Last month I received a very complimentary E-mail about our Website from David Ratledge of the Lancashire County Council. He is very interested in the work we have been carrying out on Roman Roads in the area. In fact the Council have published their own report on the Internet. It makes very interesting reading. www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/mwayarc/mway.htm

Next Meeting

Wednesday 6th February at the BP Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, at 7.30 pm as usual. This month is the AGM so please remember to bring your membership fee (£5). This year we are hoping to have much more activity in the field, especially with the introduction of our new resistivity meter. To this end we are inviting more members to join the committee (to help with the organisation).

At the meeting Tom and Adrian Morris will give a presentation of last years trip to Angers.