Book - New book about Nottinghamshire in the Stone Age

If you've ever wondered what life was like in Nottinghamshire during the Stone Age, our new book should be on your reading list.

‘Stone Age Nottinghamshire’ has been written by the Council’s conservation and heritage staff David Budge and Chris Robinson, and edited by Virginia Baddeley. It is published by the council’s libraries, archives and information publications group.

The book is the first in a planned series of popular guides to the archaeology of Nottinghamshire. It will be launched at a special event by County Councillor John Cottee, cabinet member for culture and community.

Councillor Cottee said: "Nottinghamshire County Council is delighted to be able to continue to promote the county’s archaeological and historical heritage. The book is well illustrated with photographs including some impressive images of the art and finds from the Creswell Crags caves. It should appeal to both the general reader and also the specialist.”
 

The Stone Age
The guide covers the period known as the Stone Age, because metals had not yet been discovered and tools made of stone were widely used instead. This period comprises the following ages which are all covered in the book: Palaeolithic (meaning old Stone Age), Mesolithic (middle Stone Age) and Neolithic (new Stone Age).

Creswell Crags, a dramatic limestone gorge close to the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire border, is an appropriate setting for the guide’s launch. Archaeological and environmental evidence excavated from the caves show the caves provided shelter for nomadic human groups through a crucial period of human evolution between 55,000 and 10,000 years ago, and stone, bone and ivory tools from the caves reveal Middle and Upper Palaeolithic occupation.

Buy the book
You can buy a copy of ‘Stone Age Nottinghamshire’ from major libraries in the county for £7.50.

You can also order a copy by post by sending a cheque for £10.50 (including £3.00 for postage and packaging) payable to Nottinghamshire County Council to: Libraries, Archives and Information, 4th Floor, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP.

News - Iron Age Heritage of Sheffield Farm (Whirlow Hall)

Whirlow Hall Farm is a working farm on the western edge of Sheffield. Every year over 10,000 children visit it from inner city areas to learn about various aspects of agriculture. But on 19^th July archaeological excavations began, marking the culmination of a community-orientated survey project carried out through spring and summer by local volunteers led by Archaeological Research Services.

A comprehensive field walking survey turned up an assemblage of over 1,000 artefacts, including flint tools ranging from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age, and even evidence for Late Medieval manuring.

Yet the geophysical survey has caught the most attention. The results clearly show a rectangular ditched enclosure with opposing entrances to the east and west. It is believed to be Iron Age in date, and will form the focus of the excavation.

Karl Taylor of Archaeological Research Services said, ‘This discovery pushes back farming at Whirlow by at least 2,000 years and will provide new information on the early history of Sheffield’. As no farming settlements of this date have been found elsewhere within the city, this discovery could be highly significant.

Volunteers fieldwalking for signs of Whirlow Farm’s past. Photo: Archaeological Research Services

The excavations begin during the Council for British Archaeology’s ‘Festival of British Archaeology’ and are certainly in the spirit of the event. Dorne Coggins, a volunteer said, ‘The project has given me a wonderful chance to experience a wide range of archaeological activities… and I can’t wait to take part in the excavation’.

The project will allow the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust to branch out, using the findings to create a programme of walks, talks, and a heritage trail. Jessika Sheppy of Archaeological Research Services hopes that these activities ‘will enable visitors and school groups to appreciate the history and importance of the site for many years to come’.- Jonathan Hutchings

from: http://www.archaeology.co.uk/news-features/iron-age-heritage-of-sheffield-farm.htm

Dig - Time team dig up the dirt: experts push back origins of farming in city’s history (Sheffield)

ARCHAEOLOGISTS working at a Sheffield farm have dug up a mystery – the remains of a settlement which could date back 8,000 years to the Iron Age.

The dig, aided by volunteers at Whirlow Hall Farm, has found a rectangular-shaped enclosure formed by a ditch.

It was revealed during a geophysical survey undertaken by a team as part of an ongoing Heritage Lottery funded project at the farm.

Karl Taylor, of Archaeological Research Services who carried out the survey, said: “The results of the survey show just how valuable geophysics can be as a tool for discovering archaeology that would have otherwise lain undetected.

“This discovery pushes back farming at Whirlow by at least 2,000 years and will provide new information on the early history of Sheffield.”

Excavations on the enclosure are now under way with volunteers and members of the public taking part alongside trained archaeologists.

The discovery could be hugely significant for Sheffield, as no farming settlements of this date have yet been found within the city.

The project is open to the public and volunteers have been involved since April.

They have so far been carrying out field walks, geophysical examinations of the terrain and a photographic survey of the historic farm buildings at Whirlow including the medieval cruck barn.

Volunteer Dorne Coggins said: “The project has given me a wonderful chance to experience a wide range of archaeological activities.

“It has really opened my eyes to what you can discover on your doorstep.”

The field walking resulted in the collection of over 1,000 finds, including flint tools from the Mesolithic and Early Bronze Age.

Archeologist Jessika Sheppy said: “The really exciting aspect of this project is that it is revealing the presence of human activity at Whirlow for over 8,000 years.

“This emerging story will enable visitors and school groups to appreciate the history and importance of the site for many years to come.”

On completion of the project, the findings will be used to produce a heritage trail and a programme of talks and walks detailing the history of the area, which will be made available to visitors to the farm.

The dig continues until August 5 and anyone interested in taking part should contact Jessika Sheppy at jessika@archaeologicalresearchservices.com or 01629 814540 to book a place.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/green-scene/time_team_dig_up_the_dirt_experts_push_back_origins_of_farming_in_city_s_history_1_3618427

News – Creswell Crags offer a week of fun

PREHISTORIC times are set to come alive this half term at Creswell Crags in north Derbyshire with a series of events staged as part of the BBC’s Hands on History season.

A variety of free activities will be running from Sunday February 20 to Saturday February 26.

John and Val Lord will be demonstrating the ancient art of flintknapping to the public on Sunday, while on Monday ancient cave games will begin on the lower ground floor of the visitor centre.

There will also be Ice Age cave tours where families can discover the skills and tools employed by our ancestors thousands of years ago, as well as the wealth of animals that relied on the caves for shelter. 

There will also be a look at what life was like for prehistoric hunters at the edge of Europe.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crags_offer_a_week_of_fun_1_3062413