Newsletter 96

Vindolanda and Hadrian's Wall

Last month's society trip went off without a hitch (apart from the traditional technical problems with the coach - this year it was a leaky radiator). Our first stop was a section of Hadrian's Wall at Cawfield Crags near Haltwhistle. This is a particularly good section with a well-preserved milecastle and a long and straight section of Vallum on show. The width of the wall here is generally 8 feet wide (suggesting an original height of 15 feet) but further east it's 10 feet. This came about due to a change of plan by the Romans mid way through construction (in some areas you can see the transition where the foundations are still at the original width).

Just to clear up some confusion, the wall, as we see it today, is real. The only reconstruction has been carried out to consolidation it - achieved, in the words of English Heritage, by removing lose stones down to the original Roman mortar, and replacing with originals.

Having had a really hot summer, the weather managed to conspire against us and, although it didn't rain, a chill wind meant nobody wanted to stay out on the exposed crags too long. Most, however, managed to walk a good distance along the wall, before returning to the coach for the short hop to our final destination - the Roman fort of Vindolanda.

The first time we visited this site was in the early days of the society (in the mid 80's). Since then there have been numerous discoveries; - stone roundhouses, sections of collapsed fort wall (abandoned and built over), and a second bathhouse, to name just a few. Due to the unique soil conditions, the most remarkable has been the organic material - in particular the wooden writing tables, which has given us a unique insight into the everyday life on the edge of Empire.

We arrived on-site in plenty time to attend a fascinating talk by one of the volunteer workers (a guy from Boston USA) who gave us more insight into the site's development and all the discoveries to date. One of the most remarkable, he explained, has been a huge cache of leather shoes (1500 in all - the closest anywhere else in the Empire is 4 from Holland). The talk was given as excavations continued (they even work on Sundays) and anybody can join the excavation team as long as they book early enough (see their website for details www.vindolanda.org.uk).

Another amazing discovery is a series of earlier forts underlying the one we see today. One of these is so big they haven't been able to determine its full extent yet, despite acquiring more and more land from adjacent farmland.

Vindolanda is a great site with a fascinating museum (I could have stayed all day) but the cold conditions persuaded most not to linger and it wasn't too long before we were all back on the coach reflecting on another great society trip.

Jacobite Invasion

This is the title of a study day at Lancaster University's Centre for North-West Regional Studies to be held on Saturday 14th October. The fee is £16 including tea and coffee. More details at the meeting.

Archaeology For All

This is a full week-end conference being run by The University of Manchester. Although billed as a national conference it has an international flavour, with speakers presenting from all around the world. Over 2 days, the conference will explore the theory and practice of Community Archaeology. Guest speakers include David Lammy MP - Minister for Culture, Mike Heyworth, -director of the CBA and Julian Richards from "Meet the Ancestors." The dates are Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th November and (for society members) will cost a very reasonable £10 a day.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 6th September at the District Scout HQ (Baden Powell Centre) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. This month we have Rachel Newman from Oxford Archaeology North who will be telling us about all their recent activities (including more details of the Roman Tombstone found earlier this year on the outskirts of Lancaster (see Newsletter 90).

Hope to see you there - B.A.