PastSearch
Newsletter Issue 22: October 2014
Welcome to PastSearch Newsletter
You can find a downloadable version at www.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk
September Round Up Two sites got underway this month, one in Goodmanham, and the other in Holme-on-Spalding Moor. The first part of the two day Basic Archaeology Course was held at Southburn Archaeological Museum (see page 3). Test Pit 8 was dug for the HOSM Local History Society Community Archaeology Project (see page 3).
And PastSearch attended the National Heritage Day event in Holme-on- Spalding Moor on 13 September.
The PastSearch website is gradually getting a new look – you can now catch up with tweets from the Home page, and links are being created between each page to make it easier to move around the site. Why not see what’s new today !!
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Lost “Buildings” in York
SUBTERRAN PASSAGE at the bottom of THE GRECIAN STEPS: They are remarkable for a subterranean passage or recess, near the foot of them; but the entrance is now walled up. Drake alludes to it very briefly, in the following remark: “At the east end of Ouse-Bridge is a place that must not be omitted in this work – it is a hole, which many believe to run underground, arched as far as the minster; but for what reason never could learn. Indeed, I never had an opportunity to examine into it myself; and I had less curiosity to do so, after I found amongst the city records, this remark on it – Salt-hole-greces left open for mending the arches on Ouse-brigg.” (“Greces,” or “Grees” appears to be an old word which simply denotes steps, as we find in Bailey, the meaning of the word Gree is so explained; and Shakspeare also uses “Greeze” for a flight of steps.)
A later antiquary, to whose manuscripts the author of this work has had access, has remarked freely on this apparent negligence of Mr. Drake, and adds “ I had some years ago the curiosity to go into it with a lantern and candle, determined, if possible, to see the end of it. The entrance was by a door which opened on the steps, and led through a short passage into a neat square room or chapel, the walls of which are faced of stone, and appear well built; but there is no light into it. What use this has originally been intended for, I cannot discover, but imagine it to have been a cell for some begging hermit, before the reformation. It is called, in the city records, Salt-hole-grees, and the door-stead is now walled up.”
As the entrance is still closed, and the writer consequently can give only the testimony of others respecting this singular recess, he must here conclude, by remarking that the lower orders yet entertain an idea, that a subterranean passage extends hence to the minster. Little time may, however, determine the correctness of this idea, as the steps, and some of the buildings adjoining, will soon be removed to effect the improvements in contemplation at the bridge.
W.Hargrove – 1818
Artefact Corner – Previous Discoveries in York
“On Monday, the 19th of June, 1802, as workmen were digging for the foundations of the New Gaol, near the scite of the Old Baile Hill, about one hundred silver pennies of William the Conqueror were found, in good preservation. On some of them was represented the side face of that monarch, and on others his full face, with a canopy over the head – styled a canopy type; which mark of distinction renders the coin more valuable from the scarcity of those so distinguished. They are supposed to have been struck at York, from the circumstance of the word Evorwick, being on the reverse; and may probably have lain in the ground nearly eight hundred years; for the Conqueror besieged York in 1070, and the city surrendered to him after a defence of six months.”
W.Hargrove – 1818
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HOSM Local History Society (Archaeology Club)
The venue has been changed to the Social Club, next door to the Village Hall, High Street.
Meetings are now being held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7.00pm, (except September’s meeting which will be on the 4th Monday of the month).
2014
20 Oct – Phil Judkin – Zeppelin! 76 Squadron & Yorkshire’s Air Defences, WWI
Previous Meeting – 22 Sept 17 Nov – John Peel – Richard III in George Hudson (alias Chris Cade) Sound and Word came to tell us about his fame as the
Railway King, and of his fall from December - TBC grace!!
Community Archaeology Project Test Pit 8 was dug on 8 September, the natural sand appears to have been discoloured, having probably been affected by heat, possibly a fire event took place in this area.
Two Day Archaeology Course at Southburn Archaeological Museum
Many thanks to the Southburn Archaeological Museum, and volunteers (Bill and Pauline) for allowing PastSearch to hold the first part of the Two Day Basic Archaeology Course on 27 September 2014. Also to JSR Farming Group for the use of the meeting room.
Day 1: The 5 attendees discussed the various aspects of archaeological work and the types of features which may be discovered on sites from each historical period.
After lunch we ventured outside to practice some surveying techniques; however the weather had turned a little cooler this weekend, so we did not stay out to draw a wall elevation. Instead we took a look at some of the items our generation may leave behind, which might be found by future archaeologists and how would they interpret these discoveries.
Sorry don’t have any photographs, as I got so involved in the session, forgot to take the camera out !!
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Picture This Just For Fun
This is Colin the digging hamster, he is hiding on one of the pages in this newsletter, can you find him? Pevensey Castle (Anderidos)
One of two surviving Roman Saxon-shore Romans Sudoku forts in Britain. Its survival mainly due to having been used as a castle in the medieval period.
Read more at: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/historia/s ites/pevensey/pevensey.htm
Do You Know Where This Is?
Answers on page 5
Answer in Issue 23
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Dates For Your Diary
1 Oct ERAS Field Study Group. 5 Nov ERAS Field Study Group. 4 Oct Basic Archaeology Course Day 2 - 19 Nov ERAS – Rob Janway – Forensic Southburn Archaeological Museum Archaeology, Hull University, 10.00am – 4.00pm, £10 (see advert) 7.30pm 11 Oct YAT Book Fair & Lectures – Guildhall, 17 Nov HOSM Local History Society – John 10.00am – 4.00pm, £15.00 Peel – Richard III in Sound and Word 15 Oct ERAS – Philip Abramson – Barrow to 18 Nov North Duffield History Society – Bunker, Hull University, 7.30pm Dave Williams – Milestones Around Yorkshire 20 Oct HOSM Local History Society – Phil Judkin – 76 Squadron, WWI 21 Oct North Duffield History Society – Tony Stevens – Costumes of Yorkshire c.1800
If you have an event you would like to include in Dates For Your Diary, or would like to submit an article regarding the history/archaeology in your area, please send to Karen at [email protected]
Just For Fun Answers
Find Colin on page 6
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What’s Been in the News
These articles were shared on Facebook during the last month. To see similar articles as they come into the news follow PastSearch on Facebook.
Suit of Bone Armour Found in Omsk, Viking Ring Fortress Found in Denmark
Russia
The distinctive ring-shaped Viking Fortress has been discovered at Zealand, Denmark, and some believe may have been used to launch an
Estimated to date between 3,500 and 3,900 invasion of England. years old, resembles armour of the Samus- Seyminskaya culture which may have been Read More at: given as a gift, or through trade or spoils of http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/eur war. ope/denmark/11079056/Viking-ring-fortress- discovered-in-Denmark.html Read More at: http://www.archaeology.org/news/2495- 140908-siberia-bone-armor
Roman Fort Uncovered in Frankfurt, Germany
A first century Roman fort has been discovered on the east bank of the Rhine River.
Read More at: http://www.archaeology.org/news/2515-140915-gernsheim-roman-fort
Amphipolis – Marble Floor Hoard of Roman Jewellery Scandinavian Settlement Studied Found Unearthed in Colchester in Poland www.archaeology.org www.archaeology.org www.archaeology.org Lost Franklin Expedition Ship Mediterranean Shipwreck May Gate may Mark Site of 17th C Found in Arctic be 4,000 Years Old Home Destroyed by Royalists www.cbc.ca www.archaeology.org www.archaeology.org Bronze Age Fulacht Fiadh Pharaoh-Branded Amulet Excavated in County Sligo Found at Ancient Copper Mine www.archaeology.org in Jordan www.livescience.com
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Archaeological Services Presentations
Free no obligation estimates available on Here are just three of the presentations on offer request from PastSearch.
Eboracum to York
From Roman occupation to PastSearch offers archaeological services our modern city, take a trip including desk-based assessments, written through time, and view the scheme of investigations, watching briefs and changing faces of York. monitored evaluations, working in the North Yorkshire and East Riding.
With over 20 years of local knowledge, Walking Around the PastSearch aims to provide a reliable and Walls flexible service regarding small and medium sized Take a trip around the city projects, including private and commercial walls, without leaving your developments. We also aim to keep costs to the seat. client at a reasonable rate whilst maintaining professional standards. Day in the Life of an Archaeologist CAD Illustration service also available. Find out the procedures that take place on site and in For a price list and more information please email: post-ex. [email protected] or ring Karen on 07811 877 469. Or a talk can be created for your group
Visit the PastSearch Website Education www.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk PastSearch offers workshops which can be booked as a single activity or as a course. These workshops may include activity sheets, model making, hands-on artefacts and replicas. They will also relate to the archaeological evidence of the area closest to the venue possible. Karen Adams has worked in North Yorkshire and the East Riding area for over 20 years and CRB checked. For more details of Presentations and Workshops Go to www.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk or contact on 07811 877 469
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