Festival of British Archaeology - Doncaster CCQ

On Saturday 23rd July the excavations for the new Doncaster Cultural Quarter were opened to the public as part of the Festival of British Archaeology.  This site represents a huge part of Doncaster history dating between the Roman Danum to the World War I practice trenches.

Section of trench looking North East

The greatest area of importance on the site is the Romano-British cremation site in the south eastern area of the site.  This site is slightly south of the Roman town and main road to Lincoln (Lindum Colonia) it is also quite close to the possible Roman road from Templeborough in Sheffield. The archaeologists think there are around 15-20 cremations on site.  These cremations are believed to date between 140-170 AD and the urns are believed to be St. Albans ware. They only have until the end of August to fully excavate these finds which seems measly to say how important these finds are!

 

Items brought by Doncaster Musuem

Doncaster Museum brought several items to show the public representations of finds from the site.  These included Roman and World War I items such as funerary goods and medals. The recently found Roman glass jug was not on display.

Archaeologists from SYAS gave guided talks throughout the day which were very informative and useful for deciphering this site.  The ground is mainly sandy pebbles which help to differentiate between the natural and man made features 

The World War I trench remains are believed to date from the latter stages of the war when Doncaster was home to many troops preparing to leave for the front.  Remains of wooden planking could be seen during the excavation.

The site has seen several other uses including a horse-fair known as Glasgow Paddocks, bus station and college buildings.

The Romano-British cremations being excavated (looking South east)

Hopefully there will be another open day before the site is built on and the potential for finds is lost for another generation.

NEWS - South Yorkshire Archaeology Service Cuts (15% not 50% cut)

We are pleased to report success in the campaign to defend South Yorkshire Archaeology Service against a proposed 50% cut in funding.

The Chair of CBA Yorkshire has received emails from Cllr Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, and Peter Davies, Mayor of Doncaster, confirming that at the South Yorkshire Joint Leaders' Committee meeting yesterday, the 15% cuts to the South Yorkshire Archaeology service agreed in January 2011 would be honoured. Sheffield City Council will now reinstate £21,000 of the £30,000 (50%) cut it had made in the funding to the service.

It is still sad that keeping to a cut of 15% to a service is seen as a victory.

From: http://www.cba-yorkshire.org.uk/news/Our-announcements/southyorkshirearchaeologyservicecuts

Event - Village prepares for Robin Hood visit (Kings Clipstone)

KINGS Clipstone folk may well think they have gone back in time on Sunday when Robin Hood and his merry men come to town for a pageant at the palace.

The event at King John’s Palace starts at 2.30pm and will feature two different medieval re-enactment groups and a village fete with shows and games.

Proceeds will go towards organising future events in the village.

Admission is £1 and parking is free.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/village_prepares_for_robin_hood_visit_1_3594507

Event - Doncaster’s Roman culture on show in new cultural quarter

Archaeologists working on the site of Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter (CCQ) have uncovered a rare Roman glass jug dating back to about AD150 on the site of a former Roman cremation cemetery.

The vessel would have been filled with rich goods like oils and placed next a high status burial. The neck of the jug may have been deliberately broken off when placed in the burial. At about 15cm in height and in excellent condition it was found close to the planned site of the new performance venue. A similar vessel was found in the 1960s when the Arndale Centre, now the Frenchgate Shopping Centre, was being built. This vessel has been restored and is on display at Doncaster Museum.

To coincide with the ‘Festival of British Archaeology’, the archaeological site on Waterdale Central Car Park is being opened up to the public on Saturday, 23rd July between 12 and 4pm.

During the open day there will be tours of the excavation. People can talk with the archaeologists about their work and what has been found in the Roman cemetery. It is also an opportunity to learn about Doncaster’s Roman history which dates back nearly 2000 years. A Roman Fort was established close to the Market Place around the site of Doncaster Minster in about AD71.

Staff from Doncaster’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and Museum will be on hand with interesting displays and artefacts found in Doncaster dating back to this period. Visitors are asked to wear stout footwear.

Andy Lines of South Yorkshire Archaeology Service said: “The cremation cemetery appears to have been in use from about AD140-180. Careful planning by the council is allowing us to really enrich our knowledge of this period of Doncaster’s past.”

The archaeological works are being carried out by ArcHeritage in conjunction with consultants Scott Wilson under the supervision of the council’s development partner Muse Developments and advisors, South Yorkshire Archaeology Service.

The archaeological works are part of the preparation works for Doncaster’s public square and new performance venue, which form part of the council led CCQ development. Work on these two key developments will start later this summer.

A series of practice trenches dug by soldiers as part of a recruitment exercise during World War One have also been revealed on the site. After the excavation, experts will analyse all the remains including the glass jug, cremation urns and burnt bones to add to the story of Doncaster’s Roman past. The finds will then be deposited in Doncaster Museum.

Doncaster’s TIC offers a popular heritage walk around the town centre on the first Friday of the month starting at 10.30am. More details about this and other attractions can be found at: www.visitdoncaster.co.uk

The CCQ project is supported financially by the European Union, as part of the European Regional Development Fund’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.

From: http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/Leisure_and_Culture/Museums_and_Galleries/Doncaster_Museum_and_Art_Gallery/Doncaster_Museum_and_Art_Gallery.asp

Event - It's nearly time to make merry again at Robin Hood Festival (Edwinstowe)

NOTTS County Council is hoping this year's Robin Hood Festival will be as successful as ever.

Last year, Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre took more than £130,000 in catering, retail sales and car parking during the festival.

This year's event will take place from Wednesday, August 10 to Sunday, August 14 at the centre near Edwinstowe.

Councillor John Cottee said he was looking forward to this year's festival.

"We've got whole families who come back to the festival year after year – some who first visited as youngsters and now bring along their own children."

He added: "It's about providing an event, at a time of year when local people and visitors are looking for low-cost, fun entertainment, that appeals to all age groups, especially families with young children."

Admission to the festival is free, with car parking at £5 a day.

A small charge is made for some events such as outdoor theatre shows, which are 50p per child and £1 per adult. Archery costs £3.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/s-nearly-time-make-merry-Robin-Hood-Festival/story-12988731-detail/story.html

Event - Roman jug unearthed at site of new theatre (Doncaster)

They came, they saw, they conquered - and they left behind some fascinating artefacts.

Archaeologists working on the site of Doncaster’s new civic and cultural quarter have unearthed a rare Roman glass jug dating back to around AD150.

The area is believed to have been the site of a Roman cemetery where cremations took place.

And on Saturday visitors will be able to tour the excavation site in the company of archaeologists to learn about the jug and other finds, as well as about the town’s important Roman history.

Andy Lines of South Yorkshire Archaeology Service added: “The cremation ceremony appears to have been in use from about AD 140-180. Careful planning by the council is allowing us to really enrich our knowledge of this period of Doncaster’s past.”

The unearthed vessel, which is 15cm tall and was found close to the site of the new performance venue, would have been filled with rich goods like oils and placed next to a high status burial with the neck of the jug deliberately broken off to be placed in the grave.

A similar vessel was found in the 1960s when the Arndale Centre - later the Frenchgate Shopping Centre - was being built. Now restored, the piece is on display in Doncaster Museum.

Doncaster’s Roman history dates back nearly 2,000 years and the town was then known as Danum. A Roman fort was established close to the Market Place near the minster in around AD71.

Saturday’s event, which coincides with the Festival of British Archaeology, runs from noon to 4pm on the site of the former Waterdale car park.

As well as chatting to the archaeologists involved, visitors will be able to see displays of other artefacts found in Doncaster and staff from the tourist information centre and museum will be on hand. Stout footwear is recommended.

From: http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/community/roman_jug_unearthed_at_site_of_new_theatre_1_3603555

News - Concerns over planned cuts to archaeological service (South Yorkshire)

Campaigners against cuts to the South Yorkshire Archaeological Service have said the planned loss of funding would pose a risk to local heritage.

They have met with Sheffield City Council to discuss the 50% funding cut. 

The Labour-led council is implementing the reduction in funding as part of £80m cuts to their budget.

The service works with planners to advise them on the archaeological impact of proposed developments. 

It also keeps a record of sites and monuments in the region in line with government policy.

Reduced demand

In a statement, the council said: "The demand for archaeology services has been reduced due to declining and substantially lower development and building activity because of the credit crunch.

"The budget reduction was agreed under the previous administration and is being implemented currently. 

"The current administration is not able to reverse this decision without impacting on other service areas and therefore regrettably, this decision will stand."

Sheffield City Council, Doncaster Council, Rotherham Council and Barnsley Council in South Yorkshire fund the service, and in January they jointly agree to a cut of 15%.

However, in March, Sheffield City Council decided to cut their funding to the service by 50%.

Bill Bevan, local archaeologist and heritage interpreter said: "A 50% cut is a much higher figure than any other council service is having to make, so why are they overloading the cuts to this particular service?"

The service recently discovered a Roman cemetery and artefacts over 2,000 years old on the site of the new Waterdale Centre in Doncaster.

Mr Bevan said: "If the service had not been able to advise on that site, a major nationally important archaeological site would have been lost."

from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-14234071