All articles in Archaeology
13th November, 2017 in Archaeology, History, Local & Family History
The secret history of London’s oldest house
It is the oldest private home in the City of London but its outward appearance gives few clues to its fascinating and ancient heritage. In fact, most people are unaware of its existence. It hides in plain sight at numbers 41-42 Cloth Fair – a narrow street sandwiched between the…
18th July, 2017 in Archaeology, Maritime
Salsette: 100 years under the sea
In September 1837 the wooden paddle steamer Don Juan, of the company later known simply as ‘P&O’, sailed on the inaugural voyage of the mail service contract to the Iberian Peninsula. Up until the major restructuring of the company in 1971 P&O had owned nearly five hundre…
27th October, 2016 in Archaeology, Local & Family History
All about Avebury
1 November 2016 marked 30 years since seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites were inscribed in the United Kingdom. That number has grown over the last 30 years to now include a total of 30 sites throughout the UK and British Overseas Territories. Avebury is one of the seven original s…
26th August, 2016 in Archaeology, History
Pompeii in pictures
The most famous victim of the eruption of Vesuvius, which occurred in August AD 79, is the city of Pompeii. With Roman daily life perfectly preserved by the ash and pumice of the eruption, it is a fascinating archaeological site. From across the Bay of Naples, you can see how Ves…
23rd August, 2016 in Archaeology, History
300 years of Capability Brown
Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was a man made for his time. Georgian society in England in the 18th century was rich, sophisticated and eager for change… It was a golden age of architecture – Wren, Vanbrugh, Hawksmoor, Kent and the peerless Robert Adam created the great count…
20th April, 2016 in Archaeology, History
Rediscovering Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre
In 2012, the remains of London’s second purpose-built playhouse, the Curtain Theatre, were unearthed in Shoreditch, London by experts from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) during exploratory digs. History of the Curtain Theatre The Curtain Theatre was used as a playhouse from…
26th February, 2016 in Archaeology, Maritime
Q&A with Simon Mills, owner of the HMHS Britannic wreck
In August 1996, the wreck of HMHS Britannic was bought by renowned maritime historian, Simon Mills. Simon is a long-standing camera technician in the UK film industry. During his career he has also researched numerous documentaries on historical and maritime subjec…
16th December, 2015 in Archaeology, History, Local & Family History
House histories: Paramour Grange
Paramour Grange in Ash, Kent, may appear to be like any other country house, but behind the front door is an incredible collection of original historic detailing rarely seen elsewhere. It features a rare example of a Jacobean painted room, an original Tudor staircase and inglenoo…
15th December, 2015 in Archaeology, History, Military
Britain’s secret homes: Orchard Court
Melanie Backe-Hansen, Britain’s leading house historian, has uncovered the hidden stories and secrets of houses across the country, including Orchard Court, which was used by the ‘F’ section of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in World War Two. In late 2012 I was appro…
14th December, 2015 in Archaeology, Natural World
Human history and geology at Dorset’s World Heritage Coast
People visit the Heritage Coast to see its spectacular geology, but they are also surrounded by evidence of its human history, often without realising it. Dorset’s World Heritage Coast by John Beavis is for those who want to enrich their experience through an encounter with…
14th December, 2015 in Archaeology, Local & Family History
Excavations on the Cotswold Way
There have been a number of excavations at Great Witcombe Villa, beginning in 1818 after its discovery by workmen removing an ash tree. Each of those excavations has left a legacy of poor preservation of the walls and foundations and unsympathetic reconstruction; therefore little…