|
Teesside Archaeological Society | eNews
Dear TAS Members and Friends,
Welcome to the May edition of our monthly e-Newsletter! You are also welcome to submit contributions for future newsletters. From time-to-time we'll send you details of news and events that might be of interest. Do forward the newsletter to friends and spread the word about TAS—see how at the end of this message.
A gentle reminder for our next lecture at Stockton Central Library.
 Angus Graham will talk about
Names of the Egyptian Kings
Tuesday 29 May at 7.30pm
Before the end of the Old Kingdom, when great pyramids were being built, the kings of Egypt had five official names and many titles including their birth name and throne name. The talk will look at the origins of these names and how they reflect the dual nature of the king as human and at the same time the embodiment of divine power. It will look at how the names reflect his rule over both Upper and Lower Egypt and his relationship with the gods. |
Bring a friend | How to find us
Lectures are free for members. We welcome guests and friends for only £3 each at the door. Refreshments are available afterwards. Better still, invite a friend to join TAS—find out how below.
Stockton Central Library is located at Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1TU. Free parking is at the rear of the library—turn into the street named The Square towards the river, entering the car park through barriers on the right. Enter the doors at the rear of the building and turn right into the lecture room. Please remember to sign in. We look forward to welcoming you!
|
Ne ws roundup
In Memory | Ted Coles
The Society was extremely sad to learn of Ted Coles' death recently, a spirited and long-time TAS member. At the April meeting in Stockton, Robin Daniels reflected the feelings of all members who knew Ted and paid fond tribute to him. All of our condolences are extended to his family and friends. A full page obituary appears in the TAS Bulletin 2012.
2012 TAS Bulletin | Now available
Members can collect their Bulletin at the next meeting on Tuesday 29 May at Stockton Library—this helps the Society save on postage costs. Members who are unable to attend will receive their copy by post.
Chairman's Latest | Blaise Vyner
Blaise reports that plans are in motion for a summer trip—more information will be distributed by e-news. Work is still progressing on the new TAS website and the committee are looking at how to improve audio-visual facilities at the Stockton meetings—thanks for everyone's patience. Blaise also highly recommends the free Saxon Princess exhibition at Kirkleatham.
Saxon Princess Award | Have you been?
 The Saxon Princess exhibition at Kirkleatham Museum has won the Renaissance Museum Award, a top Arts Council-sponsored cultural prize. The exhibition beat the Great North Museum in Newcastle and the Beamish Museum. Tens of thousands of visitors have already wondered at the jewels and other fascinating finds—free entry.
Stephen Sherlock commented "Winning this award is fantastic for the area; the discovery has excited and stimulated interest in the heritage of Redcar and Cleveland." Congratulations to Steve and the entire team! Street House dates back thousands of years before the Saxons. Visit the museum to collect this new booklet.
Read the BBC News item | Visit the Excavation Blog | Watch a short video (3 mins)
Local History Month | Middlesbrough Library's Centenary
 May 2012 saw the centenary of Middlesbrough's wonderful Central Reference Library. A rich programme of events has been rolling out through May—here are a few remaining activities you might be interested in:
-
24 May | Behind the scenes tour of Teesside Archives
-
26 May | Stewarts Park Launch, School Dance Competition, Music, Stalls and Victorian Re-enactment | Stewarts Park, Marton 12 Noon-3pm
-
29 May | Meet the Staff, Edwardians at Work and Play | Central Library 2pm-4pm Booking Required
-
31 May | Borough Becks History Hike, Ormesby Park to Stewarts Park walk | Meet at Southlands Centre 10am-3pm Booking Required
-
1 June | Queen Victoria's Tea Party | Central Library 7pm-9pm
For more information contact Jenny Parker on 01642 729410 or 729001.
 Tees Archaeology | New 2012 newsletters
Tees Archaeology have launched a new series of newsletters. The first edition is available on their website, and the latest is available to subscribers. Contact Tees Archaeology to subscribe.
There's also a new leaflet about the Quarry Farm Roman Villa excavated in 2003-4 at Ingleby Barwick and preserved beneath the village green | download a copy (PDF)
|
Fieldwork | Time outdoors
Upleatham Field-walking | Finds tell a story
 As we reported last time, Bruce Webb-Ireland and TAS members were involved in field-walking and geophys at a mysterious rectangular crop mark close to Upleatham—it was a lovely spring day. Bruce has been cleaning the finds. Although the square crop mark, close to an oval hollow, remains enigmatic, the finds tell a story of past activity.
 In addition to an assemblage of Mesolithic flints—cores and blades dating to between the 8th and 6th millenium BC—there are also some historical items too. What do a clay pipe fragment, broken bottle and a fine musket gunflint tell us? PS, Bruce is staying quiet about the green glass on the right (picture, below)!
 Imagine a day in the 18th Century
There's a George on the throne. There's rumour of a rebellion, the Jacobites. It's a bit misty—a fine fret blowing in from the sea. There's a problem. Dinner tonight needs a rabbit for the pot or a bird for the oven. Perhaps it was a day of mis-hap. Our friend had a tipple, maybe one too many. He was smoking his clay pipe, hoping for some luck. In a haze of smoke and missle, a shiny object caught his eye. A bit of Whitby jet. He stumbled to pick it up, his gun mis-fired, the flint popped out, he dropped his pipe and bottle. Oh, double trouble and a thick ear? What will the wife say, the bairns?
 Interested in field-work?
If any TAS members are interested in fieldwork such as field-walking, please send an email to Bruce Webb-Ireland. Bruce is looking at various crop mark sites in the Tees area, although subject to agricultural availability and the weather.
Please note that you must be a paid-up TAS member to be covered by insurance.
Get involved | Things to do
Faverdale Roman Finds on Show | Darlington Crown Street Library | Saturday 26 May 11am-3pm only
 The exhibition also features display information boards with details of the dig that took place in 2004 prior to the development of the Faverdale East Business Park, Darlington. The dig was commissioned by Darlington Borough Council who eventually developed the site and carried out by Pre-Construct Archaeology of London.
Finds included a stone two-roomed house and evidence of a road to the site and of family life over numerous generations. Remnants of roman pottery, and glassware have given experts a rare insight into the life of the settlers of this area in what proved to be a surprise find. Archaeologists involved in the dig will be on hand to talk to members of the public and give information on the finds and the site. At 2pm there will be a short presentation and thank you speeches to those involved.
The event is free to the public, no need to book | Find out more | How to buy the report
Skeleton Science Exhibition | Old Fulling Mill Museum Durham | Until Sunday 21 October
One of the most fascinating jobs in modern archaeology is the study of excavated human remains. This exhibition brings to life the work of bioarchaeologists as they attempt to unlock the secrets of our long dead ancestors using clues from just the bones left behind.
Trace the life of a skeleton from excavation right through to the laboratory, exploring disease, injury, family relationships and incredible journeys. Test your skills with our hand on activities and discover how this cutting edge science is helping to solve some of the greatest archaeological and medical mysteries | Find out more
Day of Archaeology 2012 | 29 June
Have you ever wondered what archaeologists really get up to? Is it all just digging or is there a lot more to it?
The Day of Archaeology 2012 aims to give a window into the daily lives of archaeologists | Find out more
The Heritage Alliance | Campaign against VAT increases for Listed Buildings
The Heritage Alliance is calling on Government to reverse completely the surprise Budget 2012 decision to withdraw VAT relief on approved alterations to listed buildings.
Due to come into force on 1 October 2012, this measure would add 20 per cent to the cost of alterations approved under listed building consent. This change could have a devastating impact on the future of listed community buildings, village halls, community spaces and places of worship across the UK, as it raises significantly the fundraising targets for communities working to give them a new lease of life for the 21st century through alterations such as adding toilet facilities, disabled access or kitchenettes. Where heritage buildings are the catalyst for wider regeneration, the adverse effects will be felt even more widely | Find out how you can help
|
 About TAS
The Teesside Archaeological Society is an enthusiastic, friendly group who share an interest in the archaeological heritage of the Tees Valley, Cleveland and the surrounding area.
Our rich heritage extends back to the Mesolithic—the 9th millennium BC—with a distinctively north-east take on every way-marker since those distant hunter-gatherers. Our journey spans Neolithic, Copper, Bronze, Iron and Roman eras—yes we have villas, Saxon royalty and Viking hogbacks, Medieval towns, castles, monastic places and pre-Industrial—right up to our more recent past.
We welcome everybody who shares an interest, no matter what level of experience or expertise. There are monthly presentations on the last Tuesday, a summer field trip, an annual bulletin publication and the chance to find out more about field projects, educational events and community activities.
Invite a new member
Annual membership is a bargain at £12 individual or £20 joint membership, due on 1 January each year. You can pay by post using the application form or at one of our meetings—look out for Mick Butler, Treasurer.
Diary dates | 2012
29 May
Angus Graham
|
Names of the Egyptian Kings |
July-August
Field Trip
|
Date and details to be announced shortly |
26 September
Jim Innes
|
The vegetational history of Fylingdales Moor |
30 October
Nicky Milner
|
Recent Mesolithic discoveries in north-east England |
27 November
Paul Frodsham |
Archaeology in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
|
December
Elgee Memorial Lecture |
Date and details to be announced |
|
The TAS Committee
|
Chairman |
Blaise Vyner |
Publicity |
Joan Weighell |
|
Secretary |
Linda Davies |
Publications |
Jenny Parker |
|
Treasurer |
Mick Butler |
Refreshments |
Carole Tyson |
Feel free to forward this e-Newsletter to friends and contacts using the forward to a friend feature at the end of this message—they will be able to subscribe securely. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your contact preferences, use the links below or email us.
|
Best Regards,
Spencer Carter | TAS Email Communications |
The Committee welcomes your feedback,
questions, suggestions and news. |
 |
Love the rich, distinctive heritage of north-east England
|
|
