Three-way Collaboration
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
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.