Past Newsletters

Newsletter
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Editor’s Note of Explanation

Readers may be surprised at the editor’s name. above, since last month the name of Reva Brown appeared as the next editor. Well, so it was intended, but industrial action at the Oxford Post Office supervened, and she could neither receive nor send anything by post. So she and I exchanged places at short notice, and her name will once more be found at the end. Thanks to all who have helped me put this newsletter together.
HADAS DIARY

Tuesday March 13th Lecture — WALTHAM ABBEY GUNPOWDER MILLS — Norman Paul will talk about Waltham Abbey Gunpowder Mills. Gunpowder production began on this site in the mid 1660s and continued until the Second World War. The site was decommissioned in 1991, and decontaminated. Now its 71 hectares, part of which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and includes a site of Special Scientific Interest, is open to the public. We hope to arrange a visit there in August.

Tuesday April 10th Lecture — SPITALFIELDS — Chris Thomas

Tuesday May 8th Lecture — GADESBRIDGE ROMAN VILLA — Dr David Neal

Saturday June 9th OUTING TO CANTERBURY

Tuesday June 12th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday July 14th CRANBORNE CHASE near SALISBURY

Thursday September 6th to Sunday September 9th Long Weekend Bangor and Anglesea, North Wales with David Bromley and Jackie Brookes. Latecomers can be put on a waiting list. If you would like to join the trip, phone (020) 8203 0950 (Dorothy Newbury)
MEMBERS’ NEWS

Tessa Smith was asked to give an informal talk on the Romans and their pottery at Brockley Hill by a small group of U3A (University of the Third Age) members who are particularly interested in archaeology. Some of them have since joined HADAS and we welcome them to the Society. Thank you, Tessa.
DISPLAY OF THANKS TO LOUISE Vikki O’Connor

We are pleased to report that a new laminating machine has been purchased with a very generous donation made by HADAS member Louise de Launay. We aim to produce semi-permanent display material by encapsulating it in clear, semi-rigid plastic. Apart from improving the look and life-span of material, we won’t be ruined by short, sharp showers – as happened at the Hampstead Garden Suburb weekend last year! Louise moved away from London several years ago now and therefore is unable to enjoy our outings and talks but, by this gesture, is being supportive at a practical level. Our thanks to Louise and, to the rest of you, watch our displays…

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Good news for taxpayers — and for HADAS

Last year the Government altered the rules for charitable aid, making both regular and one-off donations eligible for gift aid. The HADAS Committee has agreed that the taxpaying members be requested to declare their annual subscription to the Society as a gift aided donation. Should you agree to this scheme, HADAS can recover tax on your subscription at the basic rate of income tax, currently 22%. There is no restriction on the number of charities you give to. We will be sending out forms next month to all members, including those who renew by standing order.
Secretary’s Corner

A meeting of the Committee took place on 9 February. The following were among the items discussed:

1 The Chairman had received some responses to the “advert” in a recent Newsletter for someone to assess the Reports by the late Ted Sammes and an interviewing committee has been appointed.

2 The search for new premises ( in substitution for those now occupied at College Farm) continues and the possibility of additional space at Avenue House is being explored.

3 It is proposed to publish an annual journal of the Society’s activities.

4 A meeting is to be arranged with representatives of the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre, which is being established by The Museum of London at Eagle Wharf Road, to discuss the services and facilities which will be on offer.

5 The Society is to make a donation of £500 to The Hampstead Garden Suburb Archive Trust as a memorial to Brigid Grafton-Green whom many will remember as the a long serving Secretary of the Society.

6 W. Essex Archaeology Group has asked the Society for resistivity advice in respect of a site in Epping Forest The next meeting of the Committee is on 20 April 2001
The HADAS Journal.

HADAS proposes to publish an annual Journal, bringing together the results of work carried out or completed within the year. This will take the form of an enlarged Newsletter, and will be published to replace, or coincide with, the August Newsletter. Already articles have been offered on the work carried out by HADAS at Church Farm, Whetstone House, Barnet Gate, and the Experimental Kiln Firing, and we hope to have a contribution on Industrial Archaeology, and also on Archaeology by professionals in Barnet. Although the main purpose of the Journal will be to record work carried out by the Society, we will also be happy to consider work carried out by members of the society with reference to the archaeology and history of the London Borough of Barnet. Contributions can be considered up to 5,000 words in length, and including both plans and photos. Anyone interesting in contributing, please contact the chairman, Andrew Selkirk, 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX, tel 7435 7517, email selkirkhadas.or.uk

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Barnet Gate — an update Graham Javes

In the Newsletter last April, I recounted John Hassall’s story in his Picturesque Rides and Walks. (1817), of a Mrs Taylor who once kept the Gate public house at Barnet Gate, then called the Bell. Hassall told how she was ‘a worthy, though humble person … whose civility and attention gained her the respect of every visitor to her humble mansion’. But she had been ‘consigned to a wretched cottage immediately opposite to her comfortable dwelling’. This ‘poor creature is one of those dreadful examples of brewers monopolizing the dwellings of innkeepers and publicans’. The Barnet enclosure award map of 1818 shows the Barnet common gate across the road, then known as the Elstree Road. The award tells us the Bell was owned by Peter Clutterbuck, (the Stanmore brewer), as a copyhold tenant of the lord of the manor. Clutterbuck had a garden opposite the pub, with its frontage along the edge of the Elstree Road, and just inside the common gate. In front of this garden, protruding into the Elstree Road, its rear edge along the line of the road, stood a tiny tenement: described in the award as an `encroachment’ held in copyright tenure. The map clearly shows this encroachment into the public road. (There were then three encroachments on the manor, but, with an area of less than one pole this was the smallest.) The occupier of these premises was none other than one John Taylor. This was the ‘wretched cottage’ referred to by Hassall. Hassall’s story is collaborated as far as the cottage is concerned. The cottage was surrounded by Clutterbuck lands, but the Taylors weren’t Clutterbuck tenants. They were encroached upon the public highway, where they became tenants of the lord of the manor. Were the Taylors indeed evicted from the Bell, when, to quote Hassall again, they were ‘at an advanced period of life, with her husband a cripple’: their only alternative being nearby Chipping Barnet workhouse? This we shall probably never know. Some twenty years later, at the time of the Bamet tithe award (1840), both the common gate and the little cottage had disappeared. Doubtless, they were a hindrance to traffic. The modern A411 road remains too narrow to permit a footpath past the pub.

A new Hertfordshire Publications arises. Graham Javes

Some two years ago Hertfordshire County Council, Libraries and Arts Department withdrew from Hertfordshire Publications, its local history publishing partnership with the Hertfordshire Association for Local History, (HALH). On 1st February I attended the signing of a new partnership agreement with the University of Hertfordshire Press, which will ensure the continuation of the imprint. Signing the agreement, Barnet local historian Dr Gillian Gear, chairman of HALH said: “I welcome this agreement, which will bring to Hertfordshire Publications the professional expertise of the University of Hertfordshire Press and the specialist input of the university’s Centre for Regional and Local History”. Amongst titles already published are:— So that was Hertfordshire: Traveller’s Jottings 1322-1887, by Malcolm Tomkins, which I edited in 1998, and Hertfordshire Inns and Public Houses: an Historical Gazetteer, (1985), by Graham Jolliffe & Arthur Jones. I contributed the sections on Arkley, Chipping Barnet, East Barnet, Hadley and Totteridge pubs which were open in 1900 and are still serving today.
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Archaeology in Kuwait Stewart Wild

Continuing my explorations of 20th-century war zones, my travels recently took me to Kuwait. The city has been extensively repaired and rebuilt after the appalling destruction wrought by the retreating Iraqis in the Gulf War ten years ago. About 20 miles from Kuwait, in the Arabian Gulf, is Failaka Island, a flat and dusty strip of land about seven miles long and three miles wide. Regrettably, due to lack of time and uncertain ferry schedules, I was unable to visit it, for the island has a long history of settlement and has been known for centuries for its various shrines. There are many significant archaeological sites on Failaka dating hack over 3,000 years, with evidence of trading between Sumeria (Mesopotamia), Bahrain and Mohenjodaro, in what is now Pakistan. The island had water, and was covered in trees. It appears to have been continuously inhabited right up to the invasion by the Iraqis in August 1990 that forced around 5,000 islanders to seek shelter on the mainland. Alexander the Great’s commander of the fleet, Nearchos, was ordered to explore the Gulf in 326 BC and he wrote of an island at the head of it that he called Ikaros after the Greek island of the same name (where legend has it that the world’s first hang-glider pilot was buried). Nobody seems to know where the name Failaka comes from. In 1937 the islanders found a stone with “Soteles, citizen of Athens, and the soldiers (dedicated this) to Xeus Soteira” inscribed on it in Greek. Greek merchants’ steatite stones for fixing to their merchandise were also uncovered; similar seals have been found in Pakistan and Bahrain, but there were a lot more of them on Failaka and some seemed to have been made there. In 1958 a Danish archaeological expedition investigated the island’s numerous mounds and found tern littered with potsherds dating from the dim past right up to Islamic times. In the early 1960s an Englishwoman, Jehan S. Rehab, and her husband, a distinguished Kuwaiti, spent several months each summer conducting digs. More recently, during excavations by French archaeologists, the site of a Nestorian church (c. 400 AD) came to light in the middle of the island. The Nestorians were a heretic group who broke away from the Byzantine form of Christianity. The sect spread in Persia and to this day its rites are followed by members of the Assyrian faction now living mainly in the north of Iraq. Over the years, most of the finds were housed in Kuwait’s National Museum. Unfortunately this was one of the first buildings looted and ransacked by the Iraqis, who carried the booty off to Baghdad. Apparently a small amount of the loot has been recovered, but as the rebuilt National Museum was closed during my visit I was unable to ascertain the current situation. The island was the first part of Kuwait to be liberated by the Allied Desert Storm forces on 24 February 1991, and after the war islanders reported destroyed buildings and piles of ammunition, rockets, mortars, rubbish and the detritus of war lying all over the place. I was unable to find out the current state of the archaeological sites, but it seems likely that much damage may have been caused.

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Power of Place Peter Pickering

Early last year the Government commissioned English Heritage to lead a review of policies relating to the historic environment of England. This was billed as being the fullest review of the subject for a generation. It attracted a lot of interest, some of it from the development fraternity, who saw it as a chance to relax some planning controls, particularly in conservation areas. English Heritage issued a number of discussion documents which were, frankly, disappointingly full of politically correct jargon (titles like Enriching, Belonging, and CarinG (sic) give the flavour.) The report appeared at the end of last year under the title ‘Power of Place — the future of the historic environment’. It is much better written, with much less jargon, and most of what it says is welcome. It adds to the pressure on the Government to remove the VAT anomaly whereby new building and major alterations are not liable to any tax while repairs to existing buildings are subject to VAT at the standard rate of 17,5 per cent, thus providing a financial incentive to demolish or radically alter historic buildings rather than maintain them properly and keep them in good repair. But the gaps in the report are glaring; in particular, there is concentration on the built environment and archaeology gets very little mention. Those of you with access to the Internet will find the House of Lords debate on 20th December a good read, especially the devastating critiques by Lords Redesdale and Renfrew. There is a small and very partial but nevertheless welcome recognition of amateur archaeology. One paragraph says ‘The voluntary sector has been a dominant force in archaeology for over a century. The journals of county societies still carry a significant proportion of academic archaeological publication.’ And Recommendation 11 is to support the Voluntary Sector, though the only way suggested for doing this is to `initiate a detailed review of the needs and potential of the voluntary sector’ As long as stocks last you can get copies of the report free from English Heritage. It has some nice pictures.

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Aspects of Roman Tunisia

I doubt whether HADAS has ever before had an archaeologist flown from another continent just to lecture to us. But on 13th February Or Ben Lazreg came from Tunis, courtesy of Tunis Airways and Wigmore Holidays, to lecture to another gratifyingly large audience. Although he concentrated, as his title suggested, on the Roman period, he told us about the indigenous inhabitants of Tunisia (now known as Berbers) and the expansion of the Phoenicians from their homeland in present-day Lebanon across the Mediterranean, in search of tin from Spain; there were real cities in Tunisia, and houses with real bathrooms, before the Romans defeated the Carthaginians. But eventually, despite the efforts of Hannibal, who was a great politician as well as a great general, the Romans conquered Tunisia and made it into the province of Africa — under the early Empire one of the only two provinces governed by a proconsul. Two-thirds of the corn supply of Rome came from Tunisia, which also exported olive oil, fine red-slip pottery and wild beasts for the arena. The wealth of the province was shown by its multitude of cities, with well-built temples and amphitheatres, like the very well-preserved one at El Djem, but most striking to-day is its amazing number of stunning mosaics. We were shown many slides of these, which put British mosaics in the shade though our Chairman made a noble effort to maintain the reputation of Britannia. One feature of many mosaics that our lecturer drew to our attention was the large number of fishes and scenes of fishing; a sign of the importance of the sea, certainly, but also an ancient symbol of fertility and good luck, which is still current in Tunisia to¬day though it has no warrant in Islam. Mosaics continued after the Christianisation of Tunisia, though rather more stylised, and some fine baptisteries have been found. The formal lecture ended with the end of the Roman period, but in answer to questions we learnt about the, often unjustly vilified, rule of the Vandals, and of the encroachment of the desert after nomadic people moved in from the mid-eleventh century. (Though the Romans had destroyed much of the ancient forest of Tunisia, the olives they planted had maintained tree cover). Dr Ben Lazreg’s own work now, like that of too many archaeologists everywhere, is in the field of rescue, where he continues to make discoveries. His depth of knowledge and his fine slides made his lecture truly memorable. Here, to close, is a picture of him and his wife with our Chairman and two people from Wigmore Travel.

Gresham Street Mosaic Bill Bass

This rare mosaic was found in January at 10 Gresham Street, the site is being dug by MoLAS on behalf of Standard Life Investments Ltd. The area lies on a road which led south from the Roman fort to the main east-west route through Londinium. Much of this road is being excavated and recorded at Gresham Street, while half the site was affected by deep basements of the existing building, the other half fortunately was below an area that has for many years been a car park, so preservation was good here. “The house containing the mosaic was humble and unpretentious, occupying a long, narrow plot of land that extended back from the north-south street. Constructed in about AD100-120 roughly the same time as the fort – it was timber-framed but had colourful painted plaster on the walls. The mosaic adorned a living-room well to the rear, away from the noise and bustle of the street frontage. On one side was a kitchen, on another a courtyard. The building had a very short life, and its demise was violent and dramatic as the structure had burnt down in a fire.” (Museum of London web site, www.museumoflondon.org.uk) In fact several mosaics have been found in the Gresham. Street area in previous years, but what makes it rare is the early date of this one and that it is in colour rather than the usual early monochrome types. The mosaic would have been 4m sq in total with the central decorated section being 1.5m sq; some of it was truncated by a later pit. It was dated by the 18 pots (many flagons) found in the adjacent room that came from the kilns at Brockley Hill, north of Edgware (as fieldwalked by HADAS). On the weekend of the 10th-11th February some of the tessellated floor was on display at the Museum of London, just as it had been been lifted. Conservators from the Museum’s Specialist Services were on hand to explain how it had been removed and how it was being conserved for display. The floor was recorded and photographed in situ; it was then secured with adhesive mixed into strong paper tissue and gauze fabric. Once the adhesive had set, the mosaic was cut into sections. A knife is used to slice between the tesserae; each section is then removed with sharp tools and metal sheets, retaining some of the original mortar. The sections are then carefully labelled for reassembly. Once in the laboratory the mosaic is placed downwards, conservators can then carefully remove some of the mortar, fix loose areas with a synthetic resin and fill gaps. For the mosaic to be stored or displayed safely, it has to be embedded in a support material; a resin that expands and sets into a strong but lightweight foam is used. Finally the tesserae are individually cleaned. Once this painstaking work is done the mosaic will go on display at the museum.

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Museum of London

Hasn’t the Museum of London been striking it rich recently? The last newsletter reported the 43 Roman gold coins found at Plantation House. Then there was the Roman mosaic discovered in Gresham Street, • described by Bill Bass above. Very recently, the newspapers reported with salacious glee a seventeenth century cup in the shape of a phallus. But most interesting to me was the Roman die found in Southwark, with on its faces not the usual spots, but letters — the number of letters on opposing faces always adding up to seven, as the spots regularly do. So, there is P opposite ITALIA; VA opposite URBIS; and EST opposite ORTI. Apparently though no similar die has previously been found in this country three have been found in Autun in France, and one in Budapest, all with VA, EST and ORTI and two with URI3IS and ITALIA. What sort of game can have been behind them all? And what will the Museum of London find next? Look at their website, www.museumoflondon.org.uk, and get yourselves on their free mailing list for ‘Archaeology matters’ by calling 020 7814 5730.
Ancient Path Under Threat

An article in the Hendon and Finchley Press of 15th February reports that an ancient right of way, trodden by the earliest inhabitants of Edgware, could be lost for good if plans to extend a supermarket and build a new cinema go ahead. Campaigners say plans to extend Sainsbury’s, part of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Station Road, Edgware, and build a six screen cinema, could destroy important historical and archaeological remains. “Local history buffs” according to the article, believe that beneath the tarmac and paving stones vital clues to Edgware’s past could be discovered. Edgware resident Michael Coffin is appealing for help to uncover the hidden history of the area. He says “Church Way and the Forum area are clearly inside an area of Special Archaeological Significance, which was not identified in the original and revised planning applications. We are interested in the area bounded by the east side of Edgware Road, the south side of Station Road and the edge of the Broadwalk carpark and are trying to find out what is underneath, mediaeval or earlier. There may be some local experts who can help.” The article refers to the Roman site at Brockley Hill. The article concludes -If you can help Mr Coffin uncover Edgware’s past, call him on 020 8958 4996.”

OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS

Wednesday 14th March 8pm. Hornsey Historical Society. Union Church Hall corner of Ferme Park Road Weston Park N8. Egyptology — talk by Peter Clayton. £1 admission

Wednesday 14th March 8.15pm. Mill Hill Historical Society. Harwood Hall Union Church The Broadway NW7 Mediaeval and Tudor Musical Instruments — talk by Richard York

Thursday 15th March 7.30pm. Camden History Society. Burgh House New End Square NW3. Magistrates’ Courts of Hampstead and Clerkenwell — talk by Gillian Tindall

Friday 16th March 8pm. Enfield Archaeological Society Jubilee Hall 2 Parsonage Lane Enfield (nr Chase Side) Decline and Fall of Roman Britain — talk by Dr Neil Faulkner. £1 admission

Friday 16th March 7.30pm. Wembley History Society. St Andrew’s Church Hall, Church Lane Kingsbury NW9 Anecdotes of London and its inhabitants — talk by Denise O’Halloran. £1 admission

Wednesday 21st March 8pm. Willesden Local History Society, Willesden Suite, Library Centre, 95 High Road, NW10. Brief history of the Police Force and the Harlesden Station – talk by Michael Fountain

Wednesday 21st March 6.30pm. LAMAS Interpretation Unit, Museum of London. A Tudor Hawk mews in Tottenham? The Round Tower in Bruce Castle Park — talk by Jon Prosser

Saturday 31st March. Ilam onwards London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Annual Conference. Morning Session — Recent Work; Afternoon Session — Archaeology in the Landscape. Tickets £3 for LAMAS members, £4 for non-members from Jon Cotton, Early Department, Museum of London, London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN.

Thursday 29th March 8pm. The Finchley Society Drawing Room Avenue House East End Road N3. Organisation, supply and retailing — talk by Ray Ashfield

Wednesday 4th April 10.30am. Kenwood Estate Kenwood house Hampstead Lane. The Ancient Boundaries in Kenwood — Lecture and walk by Malcolm Stokes. Tickets £1.50 concessions from shop.

Thursday 5th April 7.30 pm. London Canal Museum 12-13 New Wharf Road, King’s Cross, N1 Ice essential — its use at home and work in Georgian and Victorian London — Talk by Robin Weir £1.25 concessions

Thursday 5th April 8pm Pinner Local History Society, Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane Car Park, Pinner. Harrow Hill — talk by Ann Hall-Williams. donation

Friday 6th April 6pm. The Geologists’ Association — Scientific Societies Lecture Theatre, New Burlington Place W1. The place of Neanderthals in human evolution talk by Dr Chris Stringer

HADAS DIARY – OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Tuesday 13th February Lecture; Dr Ben Lazreg – Aspects of Roman Tunisia . Dr. Lazreg is a Tunisian Archaeologist who taught Roman History at the University of Tunis and conducted digs in central Tunisia, currently working on Leptis Minus and Thapsus. His special visit to HADAS is sponsored by Wigmore Holidays in conjunction with its tour programme “Aspects of Tunisia.”

Tuesday 13th March Lecture; Waltham Abbey Gunpowder Mills ( outing planned for August)

Tuesday 10th April Lecture; Chris Thomas – Spittlelfields

Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th September 2001 Long Weekend to Bangor and Anglesey, North Wales with David Bromley and Jackie Brooks; Application Form Enclosed

(All Lectures commence 8 p.m. at Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley)

STILL LOOKING

Following on from Bill’s report in the previous newsletter, the Hanshawe Drive, Burnt Oak

excavations have revealed a post-medieval soil layer sealed by the 1960s demolition rubble of the former Wesleyan Meeting Hall, itself sealing natural London clay. The buried soil contains clay pipe stems, 17th – 18th century pottery and one very nice green glazed, possibly Tudor, sherd. Still no trace of the Romans yet, however. The first trench is now almost finished. Many of the finds have already been processed and recorded at Avenue House, and a short note submitted for the next annual round- up in ‘London Archaeologist’ together with a note on last year’s work at Barnet Gate Meadow.

GET YOUR NAME IN PRINT

Calling all potential authors; the society has received the following letter from Katherine Burton, Project Editor, Tempus Publishing Ltd; ‘I would like to find someone to compile a book of old photographs of the Hendon Area. In particular, I would like to find someone who would undertake to produce a photographic history of Golders Green; but I am fairly flexible with the territory chosen. We are publishers of local interest books ; our Archive Photographs series; Images of England has become a front runner in this popular way of presenting local social history. We also produce a Then & Now series, an oral history series called Voices and a History and Guide series. Books in the Images of England series are produced to a standard format. We require 200 photographs each with an appropriate caption to fit nicely into 128 pages and we can offer as much editorial advice as is necessary. All the costs of production are borne by us and all our authors are paid a royalty based on the net price of books sold. Books will be sold at a cover price of E10.99 and we have a dedicated sales team who will deal with the after production life of the book. I would be happy to meet anyone should further discussion be useful.

Katherine Burton can be contacted on 01453 883300 or tempusuk@tempus-publishing.corn

( Your Editor has gained a free book or five by providing photos to others writing books in the same series for the Wolverhampton area; short text introductions head sections on topics such as Transport; each photo (c.1860-1980) – usually two to a page on matt paper – has a 2-5 line caption)

ROMAN LONDONERS by Peter Pickering

I was one of a good crowd at the Museum of London’s ‘Roman Londoners’ Study Day on 9th December. The programme fully lived up to my hopes. All the speakers except for Mark Hassall were from the Museum or its Archaeological or Specialist services; they were clear and amusing, and quite a lot of what they said was new to me, even if some of it ought not to have been; though there was a little overlapping between speakers, they reinforced rather than contradicted one another. HADAS members may be interested in some account of what I learnt.

Despite the high-status objects found in the river and the fact that the name Londinium was of Celtic origin Hedley Swain’s judgement was that London was a greenfield site at the conquest.

Early London was therefore outside both the Celtic and Roman social structures, and so attracted especially young and middle aged single men who found those social structures irksome. Mark Hassall and John Shepherd both emphasised the brutality and repression of the Roman conquerors, certainly until Boudicca had taught them a lesson. That rebellion left the Romans with a carte-blanche in Southern England – the pro-Roman elite had been eliminated by Boudicca and the anti-Roman elite were eliminated by the Romans. There were however many benefits from the Roman conquest, not least the introduction to Britain of roofs ( made of tiles) that actually kept the rain off ( which must have been an inestimable benefit if the weather was like that of November 2000).

Nick Bateman looked at the question whether London was in any sense the ‘Capital’ of the Roman Province of Britannia, or of any of its later subdivisions. He was very sceptical of the so-called Governor’s Palace, and pointed out that the Procurator – who had charge of the finances – did not necessarily operate from the same base as the Governor, whose functions were military and judicial. To complicate matters, the provincial Council – which was not as important as it sounds to modern ears – was probably based at Colchester, where the Temple of the Imperial Cult was, though it could have had a subsidiary office in London. There is however a piece of evidence from the third century, in the form of a tombstone of a pro-praetorian legate, who was Governor of Upper Britain.

Francis Grew emphasised how difficult it was for us, after nearly two millennia, to get a real understanding of Roman Society. But that does not stop intelligent speculation, and he went on to speculate in an enthralling way about the human stories behind Roman tombstones and other inscriptions.

Finally, Angela Wardle went through the many trades and industries for which there is evidence in Roman London, from baking to weaving by way of bone working, carpentry, the forgery ( and legitimate production) of coins, jewellery, leather working, and pottery production. Most remarkable, perhaps, were the fragments of glass (some 100,000 in all) found near the amphitheatre adjacent to the fort.

BOOKNEWS

Latest from the Museum of London Archaeology Service is the snappily titled ; The Archaeology of Greater London An Assessment of archaeological evidence for human presence in the area now covered by Greater London – yours for £26 plus 20% Postage and Packing, for which you get a 344pp paperback including gazetteer of sites and finds, 48 b/w figures and 13 colour maps. There are 10 period based chapters and an extensive bibliography, ‘drawing together the knowledge of specialists and experts to provide a framework within which future archaeological discoveries and research may be considered’. Details on 020 7410 2200 or garyw@molas.org.uk

HADAS ON-LINE by Andrew Selkirk

HADAS is now firmly established ‘on-line’, and has eagerly embraced the world of the Internet. For some time now we have had our own ( very fast loading – Ed) web-site at

www.hadas.org.uk

which not only has a lot of general information about the society and its activities but also has special ‘cyber-tours’ of some of the societies’ recent activities – the experimental pot-firing weekend at College Farm last summer, and the current excavations at Hanshawe Drive – both of them with full colour illustrations ( the advantage in using the web!)

We have now gone one stage further – and HADAS now has its own e-mail Discussion Group. It is very easy to join – just send a blank e-mail to hendon-subscribe@listbot.com and you will receive a confirmatory e-mail back inviting you to join. Alternatively, just go-to our web site and you can join there by clicking on the button, and filling in the form with your e-mail address. The list is run for free, courtesy of Microsoft – though the name HADAS had already been taken, so we are using the name ‘Hendon’.

We hope this will soon develop into a major asset for HADAS, and indeed for the Borough generally. Anyone can join – you need not be a HADAS member and I hope it will be used by all those who have queries about the history of our Borough, and that members of the Society will be able to give advice. We are after all a charitable organisation, and this is an opportunity to spread the message among the general public – and to answer their questions. I only hope that some of them will then go on to join HADAS.

We already have 7 list-members, and hope we will soon have lots more!

TIME TEAM

Are back on the telly ( Sundays at 6) . Thanks to Bill Bass for this schedule of the new series; Down, Down, Deeper Down, Blaenavon 4 February

A Palace Sold For scrap, Rycote, Oxfordshire 11 February

Iron Age on Salisbury Plain 18 February

The Bone Cave, Alveston, Gloucestershire 25 February

The Inter City Villa, Basildon, Berkshire 4 March

The palace on the Sea, Holy Island 11 March

The Leaning Tower of Bridgnorth, Shropshire 18 March

Three Tales of Canterbury 25 March

The Lepers of Winchester 1 April

SPONGE CORNER

In answer to Vickys’ query last month about mystery stones, HADAS member Brian Warren rang to tell me that it is actually a fossil sponge, with the lines – identifying it also as a banded flint – caused by differential erosion of hard and soft layers within the fossil.

NEWS FROM THE CITY

In mid January the press carried reports of an exciting Roman find near Fenchurch street Station – 43 Gold Aurii found last year in a recess below the floor of the cellar of a Roman house. They are dated between 65 and 174AD; the second biggest gold coin hoard found at a UK dig and equivalent to about four year’s pay for a Legionary; they are now on display at the Museum of London.

THE TED SAMMES ARCHIVE by Andrew Selkirk

The late Ted Sammes directed some of the most important excavations carried out by HADAS, notably in the centre of Hendon, around the church. The most important of these was that at Church Terrace, some of the finds from which were featured in his book Pinning Down The Past. There were also earlier excavations at Church End Farm, Hall Fields, and Burroughs Gardens. For an outline of these digs see the Society’s web site at www.hadas.org.uk

On his death, Ted Sammes left half of the residue of his estate to the society – a sum amounting to more than £70,000 – and the society now wishes to use a substantial proportion of this legacy to publish these excavations as a tribute to Ted.

As the initial stage to this project, the Society wishes to carry out an assessment of the archive from these excavations to form the basis for the proposed publication. A substantial fee/honorarium will be paid for the compilation of this assessment. This will he in three parts, as follows.

PART I

Prepare list of storage boxes and rough estimates of contents at Avenue House, College Farm, Hillary Press and any other storage sites.

PART II

Assess the various categories of Archive, as follows;

1. THE WRITTEN ARCHIVE – Site notebooks, Other Primary Evidence; Secondary workings

2. PLANS AND DRAWINGS – Ordnance Survey maps and site plans; Detailed site plans; other primary plans; secondary plans

3. PHOTOS – B/W photos -Negatives or Prints? Can prints be tied up with negatives?; Colour Slides and prints – what is their condition? Have they faded?; Photographic notebooks – Can the photos all be identified? Can these be collated against the site notebooks?

4. FINDS These need to be assessed under the following categories Pottery – Washed? Marked? Analysed? Linked to source? Small Finds – Marked? Analysed? In Need of Conservation/ Bones – Washed? Marked? Analysed? Linked to sources? Other Categories ( Building Material, glass, clay pipe, metal working residues etc.)

5. ‘Pinning Down The Past’ – As a final check, can all the finds published in Pinning Down The past be located?

PART III

Prepare/recover analysis of site trenches and system of recording. Prepare master plan. Index the various categories in Part II to the master plan and record present location. Prepare written assessment of the entire archive with analysis of work needed for final report, and proposals of how this can be achieved.

It is assumed that the work in Part II would he prepared as a computer database, and probably

( though not necessarily) the work in parts I and II. Help could be given in establishing the relevant databases.

In carrying out this work, preference will be given to members of the Society, and applications should be made before the closing date of 1st March 2001. If no suitable application has been received by this date, the work will be offered to professional archaeologists outside the society. ( If you are not quite certain whether you can do all three parts, you could apply just to do Part I first, and we can then decide whether you want to do Parts II and 111 as well.)

Further enquiries/applications should be sent to the Chairman, Andrew Selkirk, at ;

9, Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX, tel. 020 7435 7517; e-mail selkirk@hadas.org.uk

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AT EAGLE WHARF ROAD by Peter Nicholson

In October, I attended a meeting at the Eagle wharf Road depot of Museum of London Specialist Services, held to explain their plans for the future use of the premises as the LAARC ( London Archaeological Resource Centre) , with particular reference to intended greater access to the MoL collection of pottery fabrics. Although invitations were sent to all the local archaeological societies, rather disappointingly I was the only amateur present, all the other participants being MoL staff-or­staff from archaeological units in the areas surrounding London.

LAARC will open later this year ( August is intended) as a public resource available for reference and consultation, with a visitor’s area for use by school parties and others, and a room to provide a base for local societies. It will contain all the records and finds currently deposited, with space for another ten years of deposits at the current rate of acquisition, but a planned re-arrangement, with some `weeding’ of finds should mean that the present premises will be adequate for another 20 years. As part of the overall scheme the MoL pottery fabric collection which covers some 4000 sherds covering Roman to Post-Medieval periods will be available for public access, though some degree of supervision and prior appointment, the details of which have not yet been decided, will be involved.

Detailed discussion of the collection alerted me to a problem of which I was previously ignorant. It seems there is no common system for classifying pottery fabrics. People working in different centres often have a knowledge of each other’s systems, but it is possible for connections between pottery of the same type, found at different locations, to be missed, because of this lack of uniformity. As would be expected suggestions were made for overcoming this problem without, as far as I could see, anything definite being set in hand. The obvious solution of a concordance between the different systems would require a considerable amount of time and effort, with no obvious candidate to provide the finance which would be required under the present rigorously costed system.

It is intended to hold further meetings. A suggestion made by several people was to have one dealing with ceramic building materials. I am sure it would be of value to us to be represented at future meetings and I hope that other local Societies will be too, so that amateur needs and concerns can be properly represented. A considerable culture change will be needed at Eagle Wharf Road to enable it to realise its full potential as a public resource. It is to be hoped that intentions present in the overall plans now in place will also be carried through into the detailed arrangements which will determine the quality of the experience of the ordinary user; the wider the participation the more likely this is to happen.

THE PAPERS all seem to have picked up on the story of the Ancient Egyptian woman who died , in her 50s, 3,000 years ago; she had been fitted with an artificial wooden right big toe, according to German scientists who believe it is the oldest example of an artificial limb prostheses. It was built in three sections and fixed together with seven leather strings, and showed signs of wear.

Lecture report: TIME TEAM AT ALDERTON by Andy Simpson

As HADAS powers into the information age with its Web site and e-mail discussion group, another milestone was reached here with our first ever computer based power-point presentation, as opposed to the traditional 35mm slides. This was an engrossing presentation by Derek Batten and his neighbour John Hieney. HADAS member Derek is a local man from Finchley, and purchased his very own scheduled ancient monument – a 1.72 acre ringwork castle with notably deep moat in Alderton, near Banbury, Northants in 1997. After joining the Time Team club, he wrote suggesting they excavate, and they eventually sent two researchers, followed by a surveyor and eventually the full team, minus Carenza Lewis who was on holiday, for the usual three days. Derek was full of praise for all the team and their friendly, approachable manner. After obtaining scheduled monument consent they investigated Derek’s Castle and neighbour John’s moated manor house site and other features such as the nearby sunken Saxon road. There was a lottery funded topographical survey and the main dig which succeeded admirably in giving a better picture of the castle and its history. Several trenches were dug across the castle moat and enclosure and much pottery found, from the Iron Age, Roman and Medieval periods, plus musket balls possibly from a civil war skirmish at the site.

Geophysical work and excavation revealed buildings inside the enclosure and the stone footings of a gatetower and sections across the ditch and rampart, and visiting re-enactors tested the range of a Norman bow ( 92 yards) A splendid piece of medieval horse harness, and Norman knife were found, plus traces of a lost post-medieval manor house on the site of John’s house through geophysical work.. The excavations suggest the castle originated as a larger Saxon Burgh

John Hieney discussed the Manor Houses of Alderton in the second part of the presentation, following on from his extensive documentary research. Pottery from the surface of the moated site covered the third to mid fourteenth century, with most covering the 11th to 13th century, with the Castle and Manor both deserted around the time of the Black Death in the mid fourteenth century and

absorbed into a neighbouring Manor, becoming part of a Tudor Royal Hunting Ground. A new Manor House was built in 1582 and was at the centre of a lively inheritance battle in 1591, but was in decline and mostly demolished by the 1700s. The Stuart period saw it visited by both James I and his Danish Queen. In the 1640s Arthur Heselrige owned it and raised his regiment of Parliamentarian heavily armoured Cuirassiers, known as Lobsters due to their red armour – illustrated in the accompanying display of finds and drawings which generated much interest. By 1821 the site was covered by three stone barns, converted into houses in 1985, one of them occupied by John Hieney.

It is hoped to leave the castle in trust to permanently protect the site; grant aid is being sought to manage the site and erect an information panel; an education pack for schools has been produced and a 60-strong Friends of Alderton Moat and Manor group formed – membership £2 per annum! – as a vehicle for grant aid from bodies such as the Local Heritage Initiative. A web-site is forthcoming and further excavation is planned, dependent upon Scheduled Ancient Monument consent being obtained, e.g. of the moat site which the RCHME claim as a post-medieval prospect mound, despite finds of medieval pottery from the surface.

JUNE PORGES adds; We were sorry not to be able to show Derek’s video of Time Team at Alderton as promised. This was because we were unable to borrow a video projector without paying an exorbitant price. If any member has access to this type of equipment we would be glad to hear about it for future occasions. However, the slide presentation which Derek and John gave was brilliant, and we have Derek’s video for the Society, so if anyone would like to borrow it to view it at home please contact Dorothy Newbury ( 020 8203 0950) or June Forges ( 020 8346 5078)

When I announced that I was off to New England in November everyone assumed it was to see the Fall and laughed when I said it was for a conference on Roman Mosaics. But there I was in Worcester ( Massachusetts) where on walking into the Art Museum one is immediately confronted by a breathtaking mosaic floor depicting a hunting scene. This is about 20 foot square and contains lions, tigers, bears and antelopes pursued by young men on horses, with one youth leaning nonchalantly on his spear which has transfixed a boar. Another rider has snatched up a baby Tiger and is galloping off holding it high vainly chased by the mother Tiger and its siblings. This exhibit is a permanent part of the Worcester collection. It was brought here from Antioch (Modern Antakya, Turkey, on the border with Syria) in 1939. An expedition which included the Worcester Art Museum, the Louvre, Princeton University and the Baltimore Museum had been digging in Antioch for several years but found there was little remaining except at floor level, where more than three hundred mosaics had survived. The sponsoring institutions divided the spoil between them (over half did remain in Antakya) , often splitting up the floors from a single room. These have-been displayed (or stored) in various-locations since then.

In November 2000 many of these Mosaics were reunited by Christine Kondoleon, the Curator of Greek and Roman Art at Worcester, in an exhibition ‘Antioch – the Lost Roman City’. After February 4 the exhibition will move to Baltimore and Cleveland, after which the individual pieces will be returned to their owners. Besides Mosaics the display includes statues, jewellery, tableware, inscriptions and other artefacts mostly from the 2nd to 6th centuries AD illustrating Antioch’s place as a cultural, economic and spiritual centre of the Mediterranean at that time. It was a very mixed society, Jews participated in the founding of the city in 300BC, and when, after the death of Christ, the Apostles went out as missionaries Antioch provided an important base for the emerging church.

It was here that the followers of Christ were first called ‘Christians’. An excellent catalogue to the exhibition gives the background to the history of the city. If anyone is in Cleveland between March and June or Baltimore from September to December I very much recommend a visit.

In association with the exhibition the North American branch of AIEMA ( l’Association Internationale pour L’Etude de la Mosaique Antique) held a colloquium in Worcester. There were delegates from all over the world including several from ASPROM the British Branch of AIME. In a crowded two days we heard over twenty speakers, mostly on Near Eastern Mosaics, including, from Britain, Pat Witts on ‘Universal Messages – Iconographic Similarities Between Mosaics of Antioch and Britain’ and Janet Huskinson on ‘ Performance in the Pavements of the House of the Menander, Daphne’.

So I had a really worth-while trip to New England enjoying wonderful American hospitality, lovely seafood ( lobsters in Maine and clam chowder everywhere) and visits to Plimouth Plantation Village – a reconstruction of how the first Pilgrims lived, Mayflower II, Boston Harbour and tea-party scene, various museums including the New York Metropolitan ( and Met Opera) and of course miles and miles of glorious coloured trees. To say nothing of the Presidential Election – history in the Making!

MEET THE ANCESTORS is back on BBC 2 and at 8.30 on Monday 5 February will feature two late Roman burials from the extra-mural area of Bath excavated by the Bath Archaeological Trust in 1999/2000; the BBC commissioned detailed scientific and osteological assessments of the remains and covered details of diet, ethnic and geographical origin, and medical treatment.

NEW HOME SOUGHT

HADAS had a useful mention in the local free newspaper ‘THE PRESS’ on 11th January. Headed by a photo of Tessa Smith with some Roman Pottery, Dorothy was quoted extensively describing our need to relocate our stored finds and equipment from College Farm, Fitzalan Road, Finchley due to intended developments there, together with an appeal for anyone who could help to contact her or Vikki.

The farm is to lodge an appeal for £2.5 million of lottery funding to refurbish existing buildings and bring in new features and business plan. Last May, the site owners, the Highways Agency, agreed to sell the site to the College Farm Trust for less than market value, to save the farm buildings and the two fields and their bovine occupants from developers.

OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS Eric Morgan

Wed 14 Feb 8pm Hornsey Historical Society Union Church Hall, Cnr. Of Ferne Park Road] Weston Park, N8 Baird & Ally Pally – talk by Bob Hawes

Thurs. 15 Feb 7.30pm Camden History Society Netherhall House, Cnr. Of Masresfield Gdns/Nutley Terrace, N W3 History of the Reading Room of The British Museum Talk by Marjorie Caygill.

Fri. 16 Feb 8pm Enfield Archaeological Society Jubilee Hall, 2, Parsonage Lane, Enfield ( Near Chase Side) Molluscs to Mamelukes – Archaeology of Lebanon Talk by Ian Jones

Mon. 19 Feb 8.15pm Friends of Barnet Borough Libraries Church end Library 21. Hendon Lane, N3. A Childhood In Finchley 1840-1900 Talk by Hugh Petrie, Heritage Officer

Thurs. 22 Feb 8.15pm Hampstead Scientific Society Crypt Room, St John’s Church, Church Row NW3 London Underground – Old & New Talk by Angus Mackenzie

Sat 24 Feb 11am-4pm North London Transport Society St Paul’s Centre Cnr. Of Church St./Old Park Ave., Enfield Spring Transport Bazaar £1 Admission, Light Refreshments

Wed. 28 Feb 7.70pm Finchley Antiques Appreciation Group Avenue House, East End Road N3 Preserving the Fabric of our Inheritance Talk by Jacqueline Hyman

Thurs. 1 Mar 7.30pm. London Canal Museum 12-13 New Wharf Road, Kings’ Cross, Ni. Bringing the Boatmen to God – The work of the Boatmen’s Missions – Talk by Dr. Wendy Freer

Sun. 4 Mar. 230pm. Heath & Hampstead Society From Kenwood Kitchen Garden, E. side Kentwood House, Hampstead Lane The Heath, Past and Present Walk by Michael Hammerson

HADAS DIARY

Tuesday 9th January

An evening with Derek Batten sharing the Time Team’s Visit to his Castle in Towcester. Time Team’s broadcast is scheduled for the 14th January (look for confirmation).

Tuesday I3th February

Lecture: Aspects of Roman Tunisia, by Kader Chelei

Tuesday 13th March

Lecture: Waltham Abbey Gunpowder Mills. (an outing is being planned for August)
Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th September 2001 Advance notice of the 4 day trip to Bangor area in North Wales. Details and Application for in the February Newsletter.

HANSHAWE DRIVE

Despite the appalling weather of the last few weeks a good turn out from the digging team has made good progress the Burnt Oak site, near to where Roman pottery was found in the early 1970s. Unfortunately the Romans have eluded us at the moment, so far our trial trench has revealed burnt features and layers likely to be demolition material from the Wesleyan Chapel (demolished in the 1960s) that once stood on the site. Finds have included sherds of pottery one marked ….y Chapel Burnt Oak’, glass and other fairly recent material. Some clay pipe and possible Post-Medieval pottery may point to an earlier occupation of the site. The surveying team has been hard at work producing a resistivity map of the lawns around the building and a contour survey of the sloping ground near to the excavation area. We have also made a start on processing the finds at Avenue House. Future work will include site-watching when a lift shaft is to be built in the area and the opening of further trenches in the new year to pin down the exact chapel foundations and to perhaps shed more light on the Roman presence around here. Thanks to Marge Lacey and the residents for their patience and understanding while walk in and out with muddy boots, tools and whatever.

You may have seen a previous request in the Newsletter for space to store finds, tools etc. This problem will become more acute in the coming months as we have been informed that we are to lose our space at College Farm due to partial redevelopment of the site and a change in status of the farm. We have made a good start on clearing a lot of unused and dumped equipment from here. Various ideas are being pursued usually involving renting or buying a garage (within reason) or finding an area to erect a storage shed such as at the former Colindale Hospital site or Mill Hill Barracks. Please keep an eye out for any likely spaces that may come up, or if you can suggest further ideas. Through the good offices of Stephen Aleck HADAS now possess a refurbished and repaired theodolite, we just need a refurbished and repaired member to work it!
THE HADAS CHRISTMAS DINNER or CHANGING ROOMS

A well filled coach made its way across the differing architectural and social landscape of north London, to arrive at Kingsland Road, Shoreditch. Our destination was The Geffrye Museum that looked very impressive set in its garden against floodlighting.

The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers built the Geffrye Almshouses in 1715, with funds bequeathed by Sir Robert Geffrye, former Lord Mayor of London and Master of the Company. The fourteen houses and chapel provided pensioners and widows with retirement homes over a period of almost two hundred years. The peaceful, rural setting in which the almshouses were first built had, by 1900, deteriorated into one of the most densely popular areas of London, and the Ironmongers Company decided to dispose of the property and erect new almshouses in healthier surroundings. The buildings and gardens were subsequently acquired by the London County Council as an open space and a museum to the local furniture industry (opened in 1914).

The museum has now evolved into displaying the changing styles of domestic interiors, from the 17th century with oak furniture and panelling, past the refined splendour of the Georgian period and the high style of the Victorians, to 20th century modernity, seen in a 1930s flat, a mid-century room in ‘contemporary’ style plus a late 20th century living space in a converted warehouse similar to those seen around the docklands.

Our party perused the various rooms which have been decorated in an authentic festive style for an exhibition of seasonal traditions (ends 5th Jan 2001), the period settings contained furniture, paintings and all manner of household artefacts showing the changing faces of taste, fashion, and technology through the ages. The information panels were well set out and informative with ‘cutaway’ drawings showing the evolving layouts of a typical house.

David Dewing (Director ) gave a short talk on the museum’s progress while we had a glass of wine, we were sitting in the museums restaurant, housed in a recent extension, which at a cost £5 million had doubled the existing museum floor space. The extension was built in a modern style but complimenting the older structure, it now holds the restaurant, 20th century rooms, workshops, display cases, museum shop and an exhibition area (currently one on Oscar Wilde)

We then left for a short trip to Hackney (scene of a previous Dinner at Sutton House) this time it was Prideaux House home of the Toc H organisation.

Toc H (Talbot House) was started in Belgium in 1915 by Army chaplain Tubby’ Clayton and Neville Talbot as a club for soldiers on the Western front. Tubby became vicar of All Hallows by the Tower in 1922 and continued his Toc H work at the then rectory of St John the Jerusalem Parish Church, Hackney, which was given to them by Punch. Magazine who bought it and gave it to Toc H in memory of their workers who died in

the First World War. St John’s was badly damaged in the Second World War and was demolished to be rebuilt as Prideaux House, and opened in 1962 by the Queen Mother as a centre for young men corning to work in London. Nowadays Prixdeaux House caters for a wide range of activities for all members of the surrounding community. This is where HADAS sends its surplus mini mart goods.

We were shown into the ‘lounge’ and were able to inspect room dedicated to ‘Tubby’ Clayton with many artefacts from his Tower Hill days, especially a set of drawings by Alan Sorrell depicting the Boudican Revolt, in the lounge was a large painting (taking up most of one wall) by Burdett of the Tower of London and its surroundings. Gualter de Mello the centre’s Director talked about their work and future plans which included partly demolishing Prideaux House for redevelopment to release funds for other work.

We were then served a wonderful Dinner by volunteers of Toc H, the wine flowed and lucky members took home prizes form the raffle. Thanks to Dorothy for her usual organisation (and notes), and to Stuart Wild for his navigation and help.

David Dewing is giving a lecture on London’s Furniture Industry, 1750-1850. London was said to have furnished the world — from the bestoke craftsmen of the West End to the everyday furniture made in a multitude of workshops in the north east of the city. Even today many small furniture workshops and suppliers to the trade survive in the area. Weds 17th Jan, 6.30 pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Science Block, The Medical School (Barts.), Charterhouse Square, London EC’. This is a GLIAS event.
RETURN TO SPITALFIELDS

Between September and December 2000 MoLAS have once again been digging at this market site, which overlies the cemetery of St Mary Spital. This time it is beneath the floor of the market as about half of this structure will eventually be demolished for redevelopment. Below in the basement level, many pillar foundations, walls and a 2ft thick concrete floor, have disturbed the archaeology. The team of up to 30 archaeologists have been excavating the truncated burial pits and graves adding (by mid November) approx 1600 burials to the 8500 from last year. A likely boundary ditch has also been excavated and also quarry pits, the site consists of brickearth deposits over gravel. Other sites in the area are due to be excavated from February 2001-

ROUND-UP OF NEIGHBOURING SOCIETIES & UNITS

The SAHAAS archaeology group in St Albans, who worked with us at the College Farm pottery firing weekend have been field-walking this summer in the Harpenden/Wheathampstead area. They have found a substantial amount of material pointing to a Roman site, finds indicate a probable 3rd century date. The location of this site is close to the line of a Roman road, put forward by the Viatores in their book on the subject. The same site has also produced a substantial amount of struck flint. Some geophysical prospecting and trial excavations are likely for future work.

Hens Archaeological Trust have excavated two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, one near Peterborough and the other at Cherry Hinton (featured on Meet the Ancestors) on the EssexlCambs border. They have also been involved in several building surveys, some fairly recent such as a house built in 1833 that was about to be demolished, while another, a 17th century barn, once stripped down the it’s frame was found to have been a medieval house which was converted into a barn and now as is the current vogue to be restored as a dwelling. HAT has also done some survey work at the Waltham Abbey Gunpowder Mills. HADAS are planning a lecture and visit here (see the HADAS Diary and take a tin hat).

AOC Archaeology are conducting large scale excavations at The Grove, Watford. The former mansion is to be converted into a hotel and golf course. They have found evidence from all periods notably Bronze-age features and pottery, a Saxon Grubenhauser (rare in Herts) and a Late Iron-age/Roman enclosure with roundhouses, hearths and an associated updraft kiln including grog tempered wasters. For more information visit the web site at www.archaeologyatthegrove.com. AOC are also involved with a joint dig with MoLAS at Blossom House in London.

VIETNAM and CAMBODIA by Bill Bass

This year’s trip during October involved travelling north to south through Vietnam, then flying on to Phnom Pcnh and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

We started off in Hanoi, a busy, bustling, vibrant place spread out along the Red River and built around a series of lakes. The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. More recently, Emperor Ly Thai To moved his capital here in 1010 AD renaming the site (Thang Long City of the Soaring Dragon), then after the rule of several Dynasties the capital was moved to Hue further south. From 1902 to 1953, Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina. I wondered around the history museum that held a rich collection of artefacts from Vietnam’s past including its contact and attempted domination by China, and influences from the likes of Indonesia, India and Persia. There

was also evidence Vietnamese’s indigenous cultures such as Dong Son, Cham and the Khmers. Back on the streets you have to take your life in your hands as the roads are teeming with bikes (push and motorised), cyclos (type of rickshaw) some cars and lorries. The general idea is to step into the traffic (slowly), they see you coming (hopefully), and amazingly the sea of traffic avoids you and themselves (most of the time), an art born of practice. The ‘Old Quarter’ is a maze of streets and alleys crammed full of shops, trades and merchandise. In the 13th century, Hanoi’s 36 guilds established themselves here with each taking a different street selling the likes of silks, food & spices, coffins, metal smiths and many other wares. Nowadays you can add electronic goods, designer gear (probably fake), art shops and so on. A big influence on Vietnam’s recent history was Ho Chi Minh, after a spell travelling around the world including a period of working in London at the Carlton Hotel as a chef, returned to Vietnam to establish the Communist party there and lead the fight against the French occupation. He died in 1969, against his wishes he was embalmed and is now on display in Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. We join the queue for an eerie walk around the former leader in a glass chamber overseen by honour guards.

A train journey south brings us to Hue the ancient capital. The city is dominated by the Citadel, a moated and enclosed area with a surrounding 6 mile perimeter, it was begun in 1804 for the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty and contains the remains of highly decorated palaces, temples, gateways, lakes and halls. Emperor Bao Dai ended the dynasty here in 1945 when he abdicated to a delegation sent by Ho Chi Minh’s Provisional Revolutionary Government. The complex was left to decay and then suffered greatly with the Vietnam War, Hue was the site of the bloodiest battles of the 1968 Tet Offensive as the Communists took control and were then beaten back by the South Vietnamese and American forces. Approximately 10,000 people died in Hue during this time. Much of the Citadel was damaged by bombing, but there is now a program of restoration, in 1993 the complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We also had a bicycle trip to the elaborate Nguyen tombs, out in the countryside.

Gateway at Hue Citadel

Continuing south, a four-hour bus journey takes us over the spectacular Hai Van Pass and past the Marble Mountains, five marble hillocks said to represent each of the five elements of the universe. There is a thriving local industry carving the marble into a variety of forms. Our objective is Hoi An, a picturesque and charming riverside town full of narrow streets and old buildings. It’s much more relaxed here, heavy traffic is banned, there are many riverside bars and cafes, and fish is a speciality. Excavated ceramics from 2200 years ago show the earliest occupation in the area. The late Iron-Age cultures gave way to the Kingdom of Champa,

during this time, 2nd to the 10th centuries, there was a bustling seaport at Hoi An. Persian and Arab documents from the latter part of the period mention Hoi An as a provisioning stop for trading ships. Archaeologists have uncovered the foundations of numerous Cham towers around Hoi An. Later on it developed into a major trading port during the 17th, 1 8th and 19th periods with European, Chinese, Japanese and other nation’s vessels trading a wide range of goods (high-grade silk was a speciality). Many of the merchants stayed over for the winter renting waterfront houses. Some of these timber- framed structures have been restored and can be visited (many still lived in) while others have been excavated, the finds (mainly imported ceramics) show the growth of the town. The influence of the Chinese, Japanese and French colonies can be seen when walking around the streets — bridges, pagodas, shops and houses.

An excursion takes us to My Son, Vietnam’s most important Cham site. The monuments are set in a green valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by massive Cats Tooth Mountain. Clear brooks run between the structures and past nearby coffee plantations. The Towers are built of brick some 40- 50 feet tall, many are elaborately carved, traces of 68 structures have been found of which 20 are standing today. My Son became a religious centre under King Bhadravarman in the late 4th century and was occupied until the 13th century — the longest period of development of any monument in South-East Asia by comparison, Angkor Wat’s period of development only lasted three centuries. Most of the temples were dedicated to Cham kings associated with divinities, especially Shiva, who was regarded as the founder and protector of Champa’s dynasties.

Travelling on we experience the towns and cities of Nha Trang and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and further south to the Mekong Delta where we observe life on the intricate waterways and busy atmosphere of markets, cottage industries and local trading taking place on all sorts of boats, vessels and riverside stilted houses.

We also take in the Cu Chi tunnels, remnants of a network of tunnels built by the Viet Cong which stretched from the Cambodian border to the suburbs of Saigon. Miles of tunnels incorporated trapdoors, living areas, weapons factories, field hospitals and kitchens, making them very difficult to detect and clear.

From Saigon we fly to Phnom Penh, an urban sprawl of a place that was deserted for a number of years under Pol Pot’s regime. By contrast the Silver Pagoda complex in the middle of the city is a gold decorated masterpiece with soaring rooflines and rich interiors.

Flying on to Siem Peap — staging post for Angkor Wat, we can see the devastation caused by the flooding, as acres of paddy fields were underwater. About one thousand temples and ruins, scattered across hundreds of square miles of flood-plains and forests of northwestern Cambodia, eastern Thailand and southern Laos, are all that remains of-the kingdoms of Angkor. In Cambodia today less than 50 of the temples are safely and easily accessible. The Angkor Wat complex was built around 5 urban centres was erected between the 8th and 13th centuries AD by the kings of the Khmer empire when it was at its most powerful. Wondering around the various sites (takes several days) what strikes you is the massive scale of the monuments together with the intricate carving and bas-reliefs. They seem to cover every wall telling of stories, myths, legends, battles and are usually closely tied Hinduism or Buddhism, the temples were dedicated to one of three cults — Vishnu, Shiva or Buddha and were used for funerary, state and personal reasons. War then as now was a constant factor and this brought influences from Java, India and Thailand amongst others, water engineering enabled several crops a year to sustain the empires. Some of the monuments have been restored and there is a continuing programme of rebuilding with many countries involved, but sometimes the quieter unrestored temples, some with massive trees growing on top of them have more atmosphere. Angkor is a brilliant site and a fitting end to another adventure.

PIPE PUZZLE(newsletters 352 August & 353 September 2000) – more …

Brian McKenny of the Whetstone Society has shed more light on the boxers depicted on the piece of clay pipe bowl found in the garden of the Griffin, Whetstone, manufactured by “R S Smith” at one of two locations, Upper Gifford St and Gifford St, Caledonian Road – two Mr Smiths or one expanding his business? We still don’t know why ’49’ is encircled by the maker/address. Mr McKenny reminded us that there was a long connection with prize fighting in the Barnet Whetstone and Finchley areas, referring us to the book about bareknuckle fighting, which concentrates on the north London area, entitled Up to Scratch by Tony Gee, Queen Anne Press, Harpenden, 1998. Barnet races and fair featured fighting, also, many fighters from further afield trained at Barnet, Whetstone and Finchley. The book lists dozens fighters and fights but nothing to suggest the Griffin was directly involved. The pipe remains a puzzle. (HADAS members Dr Pamela Taylor Brian Warren and Graham Javes are included in the author’s acknowledgements.) Vikki O’Connor

CUTTING COMMENTS

A huge storm has uncovered a Roman vessel from the shifting sands of Sicilian bay. The ship — up to 150ft long and equipped with ancient luxuries including candelabras, a hot tub and religious shrine is thought to have ferried the Roman aristocracy along the Mediterranean coast to various ports en route.

The vessel was wrecked in the bay of Camarina, near Ragusa, Sicily and was found in August last year by Giuseppe Russo, a swimming instructor who was hunting for octopus shortly after the storm. The wreck lies about ten yards from the shore, at a depth of about lift and had been protected by the sand. For the past year archaeologists have been working on it in total secrecy fearing that divers and swimmers from a Club Med holiday camp could damage the site. More than 30 bronze items have been recovered so far. They include an exquisite 20in high statuette of Mercury, which was probably the centrepiece of the lararium, a place of worship for the passengers and crew. The Sunday Times, Dec 3rd

The small town of Blaenavon in Gwent, South Wales has won World Heritage status (!) Joining Stonehenge,

the Great wall of China and 700 other sites protected by the World Heritage Convention. Blaenavon was chosen because of the key role it played in the industrial revolution. it is home to a carefully preserved ironworks and the Big Pit Mining Museum at a coal mine which closed in 1980. Residents hope World Heritage status could attract 500,000 tourists a year and £15 million of investment. Metro, Dec 1st (Cricklewood next ?)
MUSEUM DISPLAY CASE

RAF Museum

The RAF Museum is to receive £4.7 million from the National Lottery to build an exhibition centre that will vastly increase the number of aircraft on view to the public. The grant, the largest of 10 grants to be announced by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will pay for a large barrel-vaulted stainless steel building that will allow the machines to be suspended.

Dr Michael Fopp, the museum’s director, said the ‘spectacular’ new building was part of a big expansion that would also involve the transportation of the Graham White Aircraft Company hanger that built many of the aircraft which fought in the first World War to the museum’s Hendon site. The museum owns more than 200 historical aircraft, of which 70 are currently at Hendon. The space will allow far more machines to be put on display there, the exhibition will be called Milestones of Flight and will contain examples of aircraft that have a key place in the development of modern aircraft. These will include the FE2 ground attack aircraft built by the Royal Aircraft Factory in 1914, the oldest surviving Spitfire, the German ME262, the first jet aircraft, and the Eurofighter.

The museum hopes to open the new exhibition complex by 2003, in time for the centenary of the first powered flight by the Wright brothers.

British Museum

The Great Court and refurbished Reading Room at the British Museum was opened to the public on 7th December, the amazing glass roof now provides a new focal point to the museum. A staircase built around the Reading Room gives access to the northern galleries and also incorporates a new spacious bookshop. Inside the circular Reading Room the conserved and redecorated dome looked impressive. The Room now houses The Paul Hamlyn Library, initially of over 12,000 books, to complement the collections in the rest of the museum. Also available is COMPASS — Collections Multimedia Public Access System, this touchscreen system allows unprecedented access to information on thousands of objects in the Museum’s collections, you can follow a virtual tour of the galleries, browse the collections on-line, select images which maybe then ordered as high quality prints. A lesser version of COMPASS is available on the museum’s web site at www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk. You can then relax at one of the cafes or restaurant in the Great Court

Museum of London

The last chance to see the High Street Londinium exhibition (extended to 28th Jan), a gritty and realistic portrayal of Roman London around 100 AD. What is not usually mentioned is the rich display of finds at the end of the reconstruction, being near to the Walbrook and waterlogged many of the finds are well preserved. Wooden artefacts are particularly well represented such as the base of a chest, a window lintel or sill with sockets for the upright bars, a dough tray, a silver-fir barrel reused to line a well, and a string of boxwood heads. Copper-alloy items included a set of scales, the style of which was thought to he Saxon but are now seen to be Roman, and complete lamp on a chain — the first of this type found in London. A shale table top, styli & writing tablets, pottery, coins, dice and a game were included in the range of finds.

Another exhibition at the museum coming to the of it’s run is Chaucer’s London on until the 7th Jan.

“Few classics remain as enduring delight as Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. To mark the death 600 years ago of one of England’s greatest poets, this exhibition celebrates Chaucer’s Londoners, his company of pilgrims who set off from the Tabard Inn in Southwark to visit the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury, exchanging tales along the way to make the journey more pleasant and diverting. Chaucer’s work as a customs official introduced him to a wide range of characters — money laundering merchants, gluttonous friars, men of science chasing the secret of secrets’, the alchemy process that would turn base metal into gold. The display introduces you to some of Chaucer’s pilgrims with an array of medieval objects of the type Chaucer’s ‘company of sundry folk’ would have used or worn — a string of amber beads for the fashion conscious Prioress, craftmen’s tools for the cloth workers and items related to Chaucer’s own life. Most interesting of all are the many badges worn by medieval pilgrims as proof of the shrines they had visited”.

OTHER SOCITIES’ EVENTS by Eric Morgan

Thurs 4th Jan at 7.30 pm, London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, Kings X, Ni. The Lime Juice Run, talk by D.I. Murrell, £2.50 (£1.25 cons).

Thurs 4th Jan at 8 pm, Pinner Local History Society at Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane Car Park, Pinner. Bricks and Skeletons, History of Stanmore’s 1632 Brick Church, by Dr Frederick Hicks, £1.00 visitors.

Wed 10th Jan at 8 pm, Friern Barnet & Local History Society, Friern Barnet Lane. Talk by John Heathfield of HADAS.

Thurs 1st Feb at 7.30 pm, London Canal Museum.

Wood, Coal and Rubbish – Narrow Boat Carrying by David Blagrove, £2.50 (£1.25 cons).

Thurs 1st Feb at 8 pm, Pinner Local History Society.

The Story of Isabella (Mrs Beeton) & Sam by Ann Swinson.

Fri 2 Feb at 6 pm, (tea 5.30 pm) The Geologists Association, Scientific Societies Lecture Theatre, New Burlington Place, WI. Sir Joseph Prestwich & The Antiquity of Man by Edward James (followed by wine and refreshments).

Sun 4th Feb at 10.30 am, Heath and Hampstead Society, Burgh House, New End Square, NW3. Artefacts and Historic Structures on the Heath, a walk by Noel Hill (£1,00).

Peter Pickering writes that the talk at the SCOLA AGM this year is by Robin Nielsen of MoLAS on Recent Discoveries at Plantation House. This important site will add some new ideas on Roman London and the area around Fenchurch Street. HADAS members are welcome. Thurs. 25th Jan at the Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1. At 2 pm.

Fri. 19th Jan at 1.10 pm (50 mins) Museum of London Lecture Theatre.

Londons Gladiator: the truth. Following the discovery of a Roman cremation burial in north Southwark, archaeologists from the Museum will examine the truth about the burial, the environmental issues and the excavation itself.

The Birkbeck public series on Human. Evolution continues its Spring Term from Thurs lst Feb to Thurs 8 March 2001. Note that the venue will be at the Lecture Theatre, Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Square, London WC I.

No 355 OCTOBER 2000 Edited by Deirdre Barrie

Page 1
VISIT TO IFFLEY, IFFLEY LOCK & WALLINGFORD by Graham Javes

Forecasts were for worsening weather towards the weekend, culminating in widespread severe weather on the Saturday. In the event the rains came early clearing before we left home. A storm the day before had knocked out the power supply to the Full Moon public house near Tring, where we took afternoon tea: a knock on effect of which was to immobilise beer-chilling equipment. However, no one minded that there was only Real Ale on draught, or tea.

On the map Iffley is almost hidden in the Oxford conurbation. Passing the Cowley car factories and the infamous Blackbird Leys estate opposite, where cars were tested to destruction, we arrived at the Harkwell Hotel at Iffley, where coffee was served. Then, back to the coach for a short ride to Iffley church, where Sheila Fairfield, a church member, addressed us, afterwards fielding questions as we walked round. The church of St Mary the Virgin was built around 1170-80, the gift of a rich patron, probably one of the St Remy family then lords of the manor_ The church is strikingly overlarge and over- ornamented for such a small village. I rather like Mrs Fairfield’s suggestion that it was built as a visible act of defiance against Henry II when one couldn’t overtly condemn his ill-treatment of the church in England. Despite some later additions and restoration, remoteness and lack of moneyed patrons has saved Iffley from the excesses of both the puritans and Victorian improvers. Today lffley is one of the best-preserved 12th century, Norman-Romanesque churches in England: deservedly famed for its west doorway, with beak-head carvings of the signs of the zodiac and symbols of the evangelists; Norman arches with zigzag tooling, stairs marking the position of the 15’h century rood loft and much, much else. With so much to see we had to get our skates on to visit nearby Iffley Lock, alas now mechanically-powered, through which pleasure craft pass up and down the peaceful Thames.

At Wallingford we divided into two parties: one group walking the Saxon walled- town defences with Judy Dewey, our guide from The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society (TWAS.); whilst the others explored the town centre, visited Wallingford Museum (run by TWAS.) and, oh yes, had lunch! Continued on page 2
HADAS DIARY

Tuesday October 10 — Lecture “Archaeology in Winchester” by Graham Scobie — a follow-up to our weekend in Winchester and Portsmouth in 1999, when Mr Scobie showed us round the Hyde Abbey Site.

Saturday October 14 – MINIMART. This has become a social event as well as our annual fund-raiser. Do come and join us — you do not HAVE to buy — have lunch and a chat. Please let Dorothy (8203 0950) know if you can help, or Sheila (8952 3897) know if you can make cakes, scones, jams, pickles, meringues or produce, or phone Tessa (8958 9159) if you can make quiches for the lunches.

Thursday October 26 — Lecture “Arab Decipherment of Hieroglyphics” by ()kasha El-Daly. Please note that this is held at the Egyptian Education Bureau, 4 Chesterfield Gardens, WI. Okasha El-Daly gave us the excellent January lecture on “Pre-Dynastic Egypt”. This is one of several lectures run by the Egyptian Embassy at 6.30 pm, free of charge. Further details can be obtained from °kasha on 7435 1274.

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Tuesday November 14th – Lecture “Mediaeval London Bridge— Lost and Found” by Bruce Watson.

December – Christmas Dinner. Dorothy says “I am panicking as I cannot find a suitable place at a suitable price. I thought I had a return to Grimsdyke organised, but the cost has escalated out of our reach. I am still trying — any suggestions?”

All lectures (with the exception of October 26) start at 8pm prompt in the drawing room (ground floor) of Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley N3 and are followed by question time and coffee. We close promptly at 10 pm_
IFFLEY (continued)

Wallingford is a Saxon burh or fortified Saxon town, built on a grid pattern, with defensive earthworks that survive today. It is a Thames-side town built by King Alfred or his son Edward to defend the river crossing against the Danes. In 1006 the Danish Swegn Forkbeard almost destroyed the settlement. William the Conqueror built the castle, where Henry II held his first parliament in 1154. Six years after he had besieged the castle, Cromwell, still smarting, ordered its demolition, almost brick by brick.

The museum is in part of Flint House, built in the 16th and 17th centuries but containing a 15th century hall house. The site had been an 11th century priory – a cell of St Albans Abbey. From the museum we set out on our perambulation of the town defences. This proved quite strenuous in the heat, especially when, towards the end we were led straight through the garden of a local hostelry past afternoon drinkers, without time to stop! Judy, our excellent guide, did the walk twice in succession.

Amongst the many buildings we saw was the former brewery of Edward Wells, JP and four times mayor of Wallingford. Some of us pondered a family connection with Charles Wells the Bedford brewer: does anyone know?

Full marks go to our leader Bill Bass for yet another excellent HADAS outing, not forgetting Dorothy’s role beforehand.

CHURCH FARMHOUSE MUSEUM

The Museum’s Autumn Exhibition is British Folk Art, and shows naive paintings, shop signs, canal boat wares, models and farm equipment, borrowed from Compton Verney House in Warwickshire. This is an unusual opportunity to see these fascinating pieces, as Compton Verney will not be fully open to the public until 2003. The exhibition runs from 23rd September to 26th November, and running concurrently with it is a small display of items from Church Farm’s own collection not normally on show.

Gerard Root

MEMBERS’ NEWS FROM DOROTHY

Bryan Jarman — our Chairman for twenty years , until he left London for Sussex in 1986 — had a mishap at home in February and thought he had simply sprained his ankle. After a few weeks the pain got worse, and the hospital found he had broken several bones. He still cannot walk properly, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Many members will remember his arrival, dressed in a toga, at our splendid Roman Banquet in 1979.

Ann and Alan Lawson. We will miss them at our Minimart as Ann was our regular Meringue Creamer and Alan was usually in charge of household linens. Unfortunately Ann is unwell now, and Alan is looking after her.

Marjorie Errington. Stewart Wild very kindly took me to Potters Bar where Marjorie is now residing in a Residential Home. We found her well and happy and pleased to hear news of members, and particularly our Orkney trip, which she remembered in detail from our last visit in 1978. Please let me know if any old friends would like her phone number or address.

Muriel Large. Sadly Muriel can no longer join us on outings — she has had nasty accidents (one with a bus and one with a car). She hopes to come to the Minimart if anyone can offer her a lift (N3).

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John Enderby — one of our Vice-Presidents and one-time Principal of Hampstead Garden Suburb Institute, is getting as well known in the village to which he retired as he was in our borough. He resigned from 14 committees when he left Hendon, and judging by the village newsletter he publishes, he seems to have joined as many in Fontmell Magna. Many members will remember the outing to his village in 1998 where he and Barbara welcomed us to their lovely cottage and garden. Unfortunately he knocked over his wife Barbara with his car a few months ago, but both have recovered with their usual fortitude.

Reva Brown, one of our newsletter editors, has moved from Nene University College, Northampton to the School of Business at Oxford Brookes University, where she is now Professor of Business in charge of Doctoral Programmes.

Dorothy Newbury

EXCAVATIONS AT SITE OF ELSYNG PALACE

Enfield Council and Enfield Archaeological Society have applied to English Heritage for permission to excavate the remains of Henry VIII’s residence, which lie buried not far from the front of Forty Hall, Enfield. The first small-scale dig took place back in the 60s, but geophysical surveys have shown the site of the gatehouse, not yet excavated. Elsyng is often confused with Enfield “Palace”, another Royal Tudor dwelling in the town itself, which stood on the site now occupied by Pearsons Department Store. DB
ORKNEY “SAGA”

Erna Karton writes “As a long-time member of HADAS, I would like to express my appreciation of the fascinating account of the Orkney visit. Unable to manage this myself; it was good to read about the visits and study the photographs. The joint production of the “Saga”, all by members, demonstrates what an able and willing membership we have.”

REMINISCENCES OF FREDA WILIKINSON

Like others (writes Philip Venning) I first met Freda Wilkinson in a trench on the Hampstead Heath excavation. Because of its location it attracted many passers-by, almost all of whom were interested and friendly. We did however get the very rare person who was hostile. One middle-aged couple became extremely angry, announcing loudly for all to hear, “It’s outrageous! All these people shouldn’t be wasting their time like this. They should be building council houses.” What made this remark especially fatuous was the fact that the person nearest them at the time was Freda. At that stage she was well past retirement age and decidedly frail-looking. Imagining her with a hod of bricks on her shoulder, climbing a builder’s ladder still makes me smile today.
CONFERENCE

The 14th Century – Monday October 23- organised by the Finds Research Group AD700-1700 The Society of Antiquaries, Burl ington House. For further information, contact Geoff Egan, MOLSS, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N17 ED (Tel 7490 8447)
EXHIBITIONS

Barnet Borough Arts Council — Friday October 13/Sunday October 15. Leaflets and information from member societies (including HADAS) Outside M&S Food Store, Brent Cross, Fri 9 am-8 pr/ Sun 10 am-4 pm. BBAC would welcome any HADAS members who could give a little time on their stall, to answer any questions customers may have concerning HADAS.

Community = Care Fair Thursday October 12. Events and Exhibition with the theme of Communication. RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9
OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS

Barnet & District Local History Society — Wednesday October 11, 8 pm. Talk: “Women in Roman Times” by John Brodrick. Wesley Hall, Stapylton Road, Barnet.

it Mill Hill Historical Society Wednesday October 11, at 8 pm for 8.15 pm. “Tales from the Tower” by Mrs Mary O’Connell Harwood Hall, Union Church, The Broadway, Mill Hill.

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Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery Wednesday, October 18 at 7 pm. Talk: “Tombstones” by Dr John Physick, the Dissenters’ Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, W10 (Ladbroke Grove) £3 donation.

Camden History Society Thursday October 19 at 7.30 pm. Talk: “Catching the Past” by Robert Leon. Burgh House, New End Square, Hampstead, N W3.

Enfield Archaeological Society- Friday October 20, 8 pm. Talk: “Medieval Religion in Hertfordshire” by Stephen Dore. Jubilee Hall, Chase Side/Parsonage Lane, Enfield. (Visitors £1).

Wembley Local History Society – Friday October 20 at 7.30 pm. Talk: “65 Years in Brent” by John Lebor. St.Andrew’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Kingsbury, NW9.

Edmonton Hundred Historical Society — Wednesday 25 October at 8 pm. Talk: The History of Wood Green” by Albert Pinching. Jubilee Hall, Chase Side/Parsonage Lane, Enfield (Visitors £1).

Finchley Society — Thursday October 26, 8 pm. Talk: “History in the Field” by Tony Rook. Drawing Room. Avenue House, East End Road, N3.

Cast of 2000 — Friday October 20 — Sunday October 22. Story of Barnet’s History from Roman times. Performance from Barnet’s Arts Community. Barnet’s “Own Dome” at Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Tickets £5 (with concessions) purchased from the Bull Arts Centre (8449 0048).

Thanks to Eric Morgan for supplying all this information.] STOP PRESS!

Diggers required for Burnt Oak “Roman Site” during September / October and November. All names to Brian Wrigley (8959 5928) or Andrew Coulson (8442 1345) or Vikki O’Conner (8361 6825).

URGENT! “HADAS expects ……. It”‘

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 9th May 8pm Stephens Room, Avenue House

Our President, Dr. Ann Saunders, FSA will chair the meeting. Do come and air your views and comments on your society. After the business meeting, there will as usual be talks and slides about our activities during the past year.

HADAS DIARY

Tuesday May 9th AGM (see above)

Saturday June 24th Outing to North Oxfordshire and the Pitt Rivers Museum

with Micky Watkins and Mickey Cohen

NB – a change from the programme card which says Sussex (a Roman bath-house in Beauport Park). The wooded site has become so overgrown since the death of its excavator last year that we would need `Tarzan’ gear to reach it. Hopefully it would be cleared by next year.

Saturday July 22nd Outing to Dover with Tessa Smith and Sheila Woodward

The bronze age boat excavated. a few years ago has at last been installed at the superb Dover Museum and Keith Parfitt, its excavator, will be there to tell us about it.

Mid July A few days in Orkney – plans are going ahead. Members who have applied will be notified shortly when full details are available. Ring Dorothy Newbury (203 0950) for information.

Ted Sammes evening April 11, 2000 Dorothy Newbury

I would like to thank Tessa Smith, June Porges and Bill Bass for coming to me and sorting out various papers, pictures etc prior to Ted’s evening; and thanks to Vikki O’Connor for organising refreshments, and to Stewart Wild for organising and serving the wine.

The report on the evening will appear in the next Newsletter.

Golden Diadems from Peru by Jeffrey Lester

Most of us are less familiar with the archaeology of the Americas than with that of Europe and the Middle East. It was therefore with particular fascination that we welcomed on March 14th Colin McEwen, Assistant Keeper and Curator of the Central and South American collections at the British Museum. Although his lecture was entitled ” Golden Diadems from Peru”, he was able to range over the surrounding areas of South America to illustrate his theme. The European explorers had been motivated by the search for El Dorado, the Golden City, but metals had been worked long previously in the pre- Columbian period. Metal is known to have been used in Peru as early as 2,000 BC, and developed differently from that of the Old World and included copper, silver and gold and combinations of these. Surprisingly platinum was another material employed. Both beaten gold and the lost wax technique were practised as well as fine soldering and filigree work.

Images were both highly abstract and naturalistic, reproducing forms close to those known by the artists in Nature, particularly Zoomorphy. Peruvian artefacts included, as expected, llamas and jaguars. Many were in the Itasca tradition, as in the use of spirals which represented growth.

There were no written records, even among the Inca, nor hieroglyphs nor codices, so it is impossible to interpret the symbolism exactly. However, it is clear that the pectorals, some very large, were indicators of rank as with maces elsewhere. Some of the human figurines give a clue to the social structure_ Representations of Shamens with eyes closed, suggest the use of hallucinogens and fasting. Certainly there was knowledge of planting and the use of coca leaves with lime. Social activity was represented in groups of dancers. As in every culture, there were artefacts relating to procreating and fertility.

The lecture was lavishly illustrated with slides of intricate objects, some shown at the Exhibition of the Gilded Image at Burlington House Museum of Mankind before they were hidden away in the British Museum. It was refreshing to see on the screen so much from the period 100-1400 AD before it was looted and we look forward to viewing some of these objects in the round when space at the BM permits.

Avenue House Bothy Eric Morgan

Visitors to the Church End Festival on 14th May can visit the Bothy in the Avenue House Grounds, which Finchley Art Centre Trust are currently restoring. The Bothy is featured in London, Sight unseen by Lord Snowdon, published by Weidenfeld and Nicholson, as follows:-

“Inky” Stephens never minded his nickname; Stephens ink provided him with a substantial fortune which he spent on improving his north London estate. He commissioned an Italian architect to extend and beauty his house in Finchley, and in the picturesquely landscaped grounds he assembled an impressive arboretum. At the eastern end he built, in the 1870ties, a bizarre concrete structure known as The Bothy; possibly the first concrete building in Britain since the Roman White Tower at Dover Castle, but now languishing forgotten and overgrown.

The Bothy is one of the earliest reinforced concrete buildings. It is a romantic castellated structure with enclosed courtyards and a walled garden with much potential for enchantment. It has recently been given a Grade II listing by English Heritage. The Bothy is intended to be a place where people from the local community and surrounding area can meet.

HADAS members who go on the July outing may have an opportunity to see the Roman White Tower in Dover

43 Bannard Road
Maidenhead
SL6 4NP

17 April 2000

01628-418555

Mrs Dorothy Newbury 55 SunningfieIds Road Hendon

London

NW4 4RA

Dear Mrs Newbury

Thank you for inviting me to your Ted Sammes Evening which I enjoyed I am glad you found my account of his life at Weston Research and with the Maidenhead Archaeological & Historical Society of interest. Like many of your members, I had no idea of the hardships the family had gone through in the 1930’s. and Matthew Wheeler’s account of their determination to escape debt was as fascinating as the early postcards. When I heard the anecdotes about his work on artefacts and displays it all sounded very familiar. Because Ted appreciated the significance of a flint or potsherd, he thought that we all would. Today’s exhibitions with reconstructions and touch-screens were not Ted’s idea of a museum.

What Andrew Selkirk said about Ted having a chip on his shoulder for not being a graduate. was true also in his professional life. Although he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history and technology of the milling and baking trades_ he always felt he could have progressed further with a degree.

Ted sometimes appeared to be a solitary and private person, but he enjoyed the convivial company of friends who had similar interests and I am sure he would have smiled at the evening of memories.

With best wishes to H. A.D.A.S. Yours sincerely

Brian Boulter

Another Sunninga Site? Brian Warren

As a new member I have only recently seen Philip Bailey’s article on “Another Sunninga Site?” and wish to comment on certain points. He suggests that “Sunningas Grove” was within “Enfield Chase”, but if one consults the original 1635, 1650 and 1686 surveys of Enfield Chase (I) the section in question was tracing the boundaries. There one will find, “From thence along by the Hedge of Sunns Grove”. In the 1635 survey (2) it was further recorded “Also the fence of Sunns Grove adjoining also to the said Chace”. As the grove called Sunns Grove was held under Barnet and East Barnet it would have been in Enfield Chase, as that was under the jurisdiction of the Duchy of Lancaster. (3)

In the earlier 1572 survey of Enfield Chase “the Hedge of Sunnsgrove” was recorded as “the hedge of East Barnet”. (4) The hedge of Sunnsgrove continued to the house of William Rolfe (1572), Mr. Hewett (1635 and 1650) and William Pecke (1686) from which one can identify the house as Dacre Lodge later called Buckskin Hall, which was held of the Manor of East Barnet, (5)

I would expect the references to “Monelond” to be adjacent to Old Fold, as the Frowyks were the resident Lords of the Manor from shortly after 1271 until 1527. (6) I have never come across any reference to the Frowyks holding any land near or at Cockfosters.

References: (1) PRO DL42/125, Bodleian Mss Top Middx b2 and PRO DL43 7110

(2) PRO DL42/125;

(3) F.C.Cass. South Mimms, 1877, p71 quoting Newcome’s History of St. Alban”s, p.483 et seq. (4) PRO DL43 7/5 (5) F.C.Cass. East Barnet, 1885-1892, pp:150-152; PRO DL43 7/6
(6) VCH Middx. vol.5 p28

Current Fieldwork by Brian Wrigley

Barnet Gate

We hope to be able to explore this site by small test pits and augering during the summer, before further tree planting in the autumn; we are not however seeking dates for this yet as we have to hold ourselves in readiness for an opportunity at Hanshawe Drive, Burnt Oak (see below) where time may be more of the essence. I should be very glad to hear from anyone interested in taking part in any summer digging available at these sites – my address is 21 Woodcroft Avenue, NW7 2A14 (020 8959 5982)

Hanshawe Drive

We have submitted to the Borough a research design for this, and they have replied that there is no objection in principle, but plans for the landscaping have not yet been submitted, we thus have to await hearing further from them about the future timetable. We are suggesting resistivity testing, deturfing and exploration by test pits of anything which resistivity suggests might be interesting. This to be followed by further digging of trenches to show the stratification if the green does not appear to be a natural feature, which should explain its purpose or expose earlier building remains or evidence of occupation.

London Charterhouse

We completed the resistivity survey in one weekend of the area estimated from the aerial photos the parch marks showed in the grass. We did find an area of slightly higher resistances about where we expected, but not showing any detailed pattern. We understand that such marks in turf are likely to show only features very near the surface, which suggests that probing may be the next useful test and Colin Bowlt is pursuing the possibility of this.

OTHER SOCIETIES EVENTS

– Barnet Local History Society: Talk: Wednesday 10th May 8pm

Herts Tudor Farmhouse. Gillian Gear. Wesley Ha11, Stapylton Road, Barnet

– Camden History Society: Talk: Thursday 18th May 7. 30pm

University College, London. Negley Harte
Burgh House, New End Square, NW3 £1.00 donation

Finchley Church End Festival: Sunday 14th May afternoon

Avenue House grounds, N3 (Bothy and walled garden open)

– Finchley Society: Talk: Thursday 25th May 8pm

History of the Phoenix Cinema. Laurence Lewis

Drawing Room Avenue House, East End Road, N3

– Highgate 2000: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME: an exhibition of paintings, images, documents and other objects. From Saturday 3rd June to Thursday 15th June. Tuesdays 7.45 to 9pm, Wednesdays to Fridays 1 lam to 5pm, Saturdays 1 lam to 4pm, Sundays 12 noon to 5pm. At the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution, 11 South Grove, Pond Square, Highgate N6 6BS (020 8340 3343)

London Archaeologist: Talk: Tuesday 16th May 7pm
Excavations at Spitalfields (preceded by AGM). Chris Thomas
6th Floor Suite, Institute of Archaeology, 31-34 Gordon Square, WCI (refreshments 6.30pm)
– London Canal Museum: Talk: Thursday 4th May 7.30pm

The Regents’ Canal; yesterday and today. Dr. Michael Essex-Lopresti.
12-13 New Wharf Road, Kings Cross, London, NI £2.50 (£1.25 concessions) Pinner Local History Society: Talk: Thursday 4th May 8pmThe
Fives Court; a centenary (preceded by AGM) Jim Gollard
Pinner Church Hall, Church Lane (corner High St) £1.00 donation

– Willesden Local History Society: Talk: Wednesday 17th May 8pm
Theatres of Willesden. Terry Lomas.

Willesden Gallery, Willesden Green Library, High Road, NW10 £1.00 donation

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 9th May. Included with this Newsletter are the notice of the meeting and the minutes of last year’s meeting. Please come along and have your say about the activities of what is, importantly, your society. If you think it. should be doing things differently, if you would like more of this or less of that, don’t keep your thoughts to yourselves.

The business meeting will, as usual be followed by talks and slides about our activities during the past year.

HADAS DIARY

Tuesday April 11th TED SAMMES EVENING

This evening will be devoted to Ted Sammes, one of our founder members, who died in November 1998, leaving a very substantial bequest to our Society. Ted was born in February 1920 in Boxmoor. In about I930 his parents moved to Hendon and lived at No. 7 Sunningfields Road. This was the HQ of the local Labour Party of which Ted’s father was the agent. Ted was in the Royal Corps of Signals throughout the war, serving in various overseas campaigns. When he came back he turned his interest to archaeology. For this our Society must be eternally grateful the rest of his life was devoted to archaeology and research into the history of Hendon. The results of his research are deposited in the Barnet Borough archives in Hendon. He organised local excavations, notably Burroughs Gardens and Church Terrace, put on exhibitions, and wrote booklets and reports.

Later, the family moved to a flat in Brent Street, Hendon. Ted never married, and when his parents died and his firm moved to Maidenhead, Ted bought a house there, but he kept on his flat in Hendon until he died. During the last ten years he developed a heart problem and was able to come to Hendon less and less. In the early years of his illness he spent weekends with Victor Jones who kindly brought him to the occasional lecture or meeting.

Several friends of Ted’s have agreed to come and talk to us at this meeting—

Andrew Selkirk, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, as Ted was.

Matthew Wheeler, curator of the Dacorum Heritage Museum.

Brian Boulter, from Maidenhead, with whom Ted worked in his business life and in Maidenhead archaeology.

Sheila Woodward, our member, who went on many Prehistoric Society outings with Ted. Pam Taylor, another member and until recently a Barnet Council archivist.

Gerard Roots, curator at Church Farmhouse Museum. Ted was a regular visitor and Gerard helped Ted set up exhibitions there.

We hope there will also be time for any anecdotes which members of the audience have to tell.

Sunday 30th April Meeting at 11 am in the Garden Room, Avenue House to plan for National Archaeology Week; to find out more about this, see page 2 below

Annual HADAS long weekend away. A special 2000 effort.

Many people have asked about the possibility of a return to Orkney, where our member Daphne Lorimer lives, and which we last visited in 1978. See the enclosed leaflet about this.

Young HADAS having a LAARC

Monday 21 February saw the turn of the younger members and associates of HADAS to have an outing of their own when Vikki O’Connor arranged a morning’s visit to the London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre (LAARC) at Eagle Wharf Road in Islington, run by the Museum of London. A party of eight, with ages ranging from seven to seventeen, turned up and the day started with a quick visit to Canonbury Tower at Highbury – “quick” because disruptions on both the Piccadilly and the Victoria lines had caused some delay! We then progressed by bus to the Centre. Some of the party had participated in the recent field-walking at Brockley Hill and the visit was aimed at demonstrating what had happened to the many finds that such archaeological endeavours uncover. John Shepherd, who had co-ordinated the visit, was on leave but in his place we were guided by Steve Tucker who was able to make allowances for the age range without unduly diminishing the quality of the tour. First of all we were shown part of the Museum’s reserve collection — the transport section with sedan chairs, taxis, old fire engines and even milk floats. Then on to the archive itself with a sight of the larger building materials which included huge chunks of Roman dressed stone and statuary from more recently demolished buildings. John had arranged for a selection of pottery, building material and metalwork to be displayed which the youngsters were allowed to handle provided they wore the cotton gloves provided. There were no breakages (of course!) and it was pleasing that some of the pieces were recognised as being of the same fabric or finish as items found at Brockley Hill. We were then able to access the archive relating to the much earlier excavations undertaken at Brockley Hill and look at the finds made in the 1950s. Brockley Hill formed a unifying HADAS theme throughout, although the highlight not surprisingly was the much welcomed chance for our younger members to gather around a Spitalfields skull. Thanks were given to the staff at the Centre for the time and care taken over this visit which it is hoped has sown the seeds for future interest in archaeology amongst our younger members.

Another half-baked idea from Bill and Vikki?

We hope not! For National Archaeology Weekend this year we are planning to make and bake some pots. For a start, we have visited Chris Ower at College Farm, the model farm site by Regents Park Road, and Chris has agreed to make space available for us on 22/23 July. We will need some volunteers to help plan the weekend, make some pots beforehand, collect firewood, and help build the clamp kiln. If any members with clay skills can spare a few hours to advise, instruct, participate in the pot-making, please let us know. There will be a planning meeting in The Garden Room (entrance from the park to the rear of Avenue House) the first Sunday after Easter, 11am Sunday 30th April; everyone with ideas for experimental archaeology please come along. New members especially welcome – the usual bribe of free coffee and biscuits!

Ancient Rome was not all that different — or was it? Peter Pickering

B Alfenus, a jurist of the first century BC, wrote the following:-

Some mules were pulling two loaded carts up the Capitoline. The front cart had tipped up, so the drivers were trying to lift the back to make it easier for the mules to pull it up the hill, but suddenly it started to roll back. The muleteers, seeing that they would be caught between the two carts, leaped out of its path, and it rolled back and struck the rear cart, which careered down the hill and ran over someone’s slave boy.

The owner of the slave asked me whom he should site for compensation.

My fellow diggers have no beer Peter Pickering

Or so the junior officer Masclus wrote to Cerealis, his commanding officer, around AD 100. Well, actually he said ‘fellow-soldiers’ (“cervesam commilitones non habunt” — yes, those of you who are old enough to have had Latin drummed into them at school will think that last word ought to be`habunt’; so it ought, but grammar was obviously not taught proper in Britain nineteen hundred years ago.) Masclus asked Cerealis to send some. For the supply available to the HADAS team surveying Barnet Gate Wood see below.

Alan Bowman told the February meeting of the Royal Archaeological Institute about Masclus’s letter and other new writing-tablets from the fort of Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall. One fascinating discovery was a reference to one Haterius Nepos, whose name has also been found as a graffito on the Colossus of Memnon at the other end of the Roman world, by the banks of the Nile. Another tablet contains a miscellaneous inventory with prices, including red, green, purple and yellow curtains; Dr Bowman speculated that these luxury items might be connected with the need to entertain the Emperor Hadrian in the style to which he was accustomed when he came to visit his very own wall.

And where they could get by Graham Javes

The Gate public house where we partook of refreshment during the recent resistivity testing is known to have stood at Barnet Gate on the edge of Barnet common in 1703, though it may be much older. There was a gate there to contain cattle and horses on the common. A drawing of 1807 shows the inn as a thatched cottage with a porch, the gate alongside it. An old man from a nearby cottage once told how when the common gate was removed a replica was added to the inn sign to commemorate the fact. Originally the Bell, it has been variously called the Bell on the Common, the Bell at the Gate, the Bell and Gate, and latterly the Gate.

In Picturesque Rides and Walks (1817), John Hassall tells that it had been “kept by a worthy, though humble person, a Mrs Taylor, whose civility and attention gained her the respect of every visitor to her humble mansion. It was, before her time in the possession of her father, and her father’s father, and sorry am I to relate that at an advanced period of life, with her husband a cripple, she has been consigned to a wretched cottage immediately opposite to her comfortable dwelling. This poor creature is one of those dreadful examples of brewers monopolizing the dwellings of innkeepers and publicans”.

Barnet Gate stands on the parish and former county boundary, which ran down the east, (Barnet) side of Hendon Wood Lane. It was known in mediaeval times as Grendel’s Gate, and appears in the boundary clause of no less than two Anglo-Saxon charters. The earlier charter, that of King Edgar, dating from 972-8 granted the land of Hendon to Westminster Abbey; whilst the latter was Ethelred’s 1005 charter granting the future manor of Barnet to St Albans Abbey, as a woodland attachment to Kingsbury, near St Albans. Pamela Taylor (A Place in Time) suggests that to be called after the monster slain by Beowolf in the epic poem this must have been an important place. Some Barnet manor courts were held there. As late as 1354 when the later Chipping Barnet had eclipsed other settlements, the tenants of the vills of Chipping Barnet and of East Barnet were summoned to separate courts on the same day at Gryndlesgate.

We have a few glimpses of tenants of the hamlet. In 1246, the first year of Barnet court records, Alexander de Grundlesgate is presented in court for selling a piece of meadowland to the Bishop of Ely without permission. Three years later it was noted in court that it was not known whether he had paid a fine (merchet) for marrying his daughters. Clearly he was a villein, though one of the elite villeins on the manor, for a few months earlier Alexander of Grendelesgate sat on a jury of inquisition into a land dispute between tenants of the St Albans’ manor of Park. On the same manor in 1241 Raze de Grindelesgate paid ten shillings to the lord for licence to marry the daughter of Norman del Parkstrate and customary payment to take over Norman’s land. Because they both hailed from Grindelesgate doesn’t mean that Alexander and Raze were related, though they could have been. One Simon de Grundgate was a wealthy tenant. In 1295-6 Simon paid 6s 7 1/4d lay subsidy the second highest taxpayer on the manor of Barnet paid only 3s 9 1/4d, whilst the average paid by 34 taxpayers was is 1s 11 1/2d

At the end of the thirteenth century there was conflict on the Barnet manor between the lord and his tenants, a number of whom claimed to be free men and not hold their land by villeinage. In 1334 Alexander de Grindlesgate (this must he a different person) was one who claimed to be free and had been “unwilling to swear as other villeins of the lord”. For several generations the wealthy elite tenants of the manor were to be rebel leaders, as witness their prominence in the Great. Revolt of 1381.

Sources: Graham Jolliffe & Arthur Jones, Hertfordshire Inns & Public Houses, an historical gazetteer, (1995); Birch Cartularium Swconicum, 1290; Pamela Taylor, HADAS. NIL 309; AE. Levett, Studies in Manorial History, (1938); PRO. E179/ I20/5

Council for British Archaeology Sheila Woodward

The CBA, to which HADAS is affiliated, held its Winter General Meeting this year in Carlisle. It was rather poorly attended, probably owing in part to the venue, though that for me was one of the attractions. It was my first visit to Carlisle, a compact little town with plenty of character, and the opportunity to explore its fine mediaeval castle, its small but glorious cathedral, and it’s interesting Tullie House Museum amply justified my 18 hour day! Even the long train journey had its highlights with its splendid views of the snow-capped Lake District peaks.

Following devolution of heritage matters to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly (devolution to the Northern Ireland Assembly has been temporarily withdrawn), the Council has now to work not only with its own regional groups but also with the Council for. Scottish Archaeology and the CBA Wales. Complications may arise through differing legislation. For example, ‘Cultural Heritage” in Scotland does not necessarily include archaeology and historical environment. In England there is discussion with the Regional Groups about possible boundary changes to tie in with the boundaries of the Government’s regions. London presents a special problem and a possible CBA London group is being considered in consultation with CBA South- East, CBA Mid-Anglia and the Standing Conference on London Archaeology.

There is continuing concern about local government cuts in funding archaeological services. The CBA is monitoring the position and it will continue to make representations against the cuts.

A paper headed `CBA Strategy 2000-2005’ contained nothing startlingly new but set out formally the CBA’s mission and objectives (promoting awareness of the past and appreciation and care of the historic environment) and proposed methods of implementation e.g. research, conservation, education, communication and participation. The meeting suggested that there should be greater emphasis on the co­ordinating role of the CBA.

There was the usual update on the Government’s proposals for Stonehenge and reports from various working groups and sub-committees. The Portable Antiquities Group reported that the Treasure Act seems to have been successful with an encouraging number of finds reported in the first year. However, imports of and return of stolen antiquities continue to be major problems. The Young Archaeologists Club thrives with over 3,000 members, several new branches and a website. The Implement Petrology Group (working on prehistoric stone axes) actually predates the CBA and is now to be constituted as a separate entity which will be affiliated to the CBA.

Affiliation fees, which vary according to the type of organisation and the number of its members, are to be increased from April by about 20%. Individual membership fees have already been so increased.

With an affiliation membership of 500 and an individual membership of 5,760 the CBA remains a force to be reckoned with in the archaeological and heritage scene.

Corrections Department

1. Some members may have seen an article in the Daily Mail on 14th March about our member Daphne

Lorimer’s study of Stone Age skeletons on Orkney and relating it to the size of women’s bottoms to-day. Daphne would like it to be known that she did not think, much less say, what the Daily Mail attributed to her.

2. The Council for British Archaeology have pointed out that their website is http://www.britarch.ac.uk

(without the cba at the end as stated in the February newsletter). It is good to see that our newsletter is studied carefully in York.

Archaeology Out of Town Peter Pickering

That was the title of the open meeting which followed this year’s Annual General Meeting of Rescue, the Trust for British Archaeology.

Those of us whose concern is mainly with towns, where the provisions of PPG16 have greatly reduced the old problem of the unrecorded destruction of archaeological deposits by development. are unaware that such unrecorded destruction is continuing apace in the countryside. And, during our formative years, the conventional wisdom of archaeologists was that metal detecting was wicked, and not to be condoned; `treasure-hunters’ damaged sites and the objects they discovered were valueless because they had been deprived of their contexts.

Helen Geake, an Assistant Keeper at Norwich Castle Museum, has opened our eyes, both with her talk at the open meeting and in her recent article in Rescue News. Agriculture is, in general, exempt from planning control, and so is completely outside the scope of PPG 16, and modern farming techniques — sub-soiling and de-stoning even more than the very heavy ploughs that are now used — bite ever deeper into the ground and disturb (or worse) the deposits. Many of these deposits would be completely unknown but for metal detectorists. Some 30 (thirty) Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in Norfolk are known only though metal detecting; scientific excavation has found under ten. Metal detecting, in general, finds objects that have already been disturbed by agriculture, not deeper undisturbed ones. indeed, detectorists are sometimes pleasantly surprised when a field they had worked over many times before suddenly produces ‘treasure’ after an agricultural operation. Metal detectorists can often get access to fields from which the farmer bars archaeologists, whom he sees as part of the resented officialdom.

As the admirable web-site (www.norfolk.gov.uk/touristnimuseums/museums.htm) of the Norfolk Museums Service tells us, the archaeologists there have a long-standing good relationship with detectorists, and most of the staggering 20,000 archaeological objects identified each year by the Service have been brought to them by detectorists. It is not therefore surprising that the Service has been selected to host one of the six pilot Portable Antiquities Recording Projects.

Although Ms Geake made various suggestions for ways of getting to grips with the problem of the unrecorded destruction of archaeological deposits in the countryside, the burdens they would impose on farmers made them seem unlikely to be adopted generally in the foreseeable future. So the need for co-operation with metal detecting, however unwelcome to some archaeologists, is likely to continue.

An update on Fieldwork by Brian Wrigley

Barnet Gate Wood Meadow Tree-Planting

Since the item on this in the February Newsletter, a very adequate and enthusiastic resistivity and levelling survey team has formed itself, and has surveyed nearly all the tree-planting area. Some patterns were shown up by the resistivity (which could be generally described as streaks running downhill but some could indicate human activity). A small amount of tree-planting started on 28th February but did not reveal anything which explained resistivity differences — the holes went only a few inches down. Further planting will take place, we understand, in the autumn, probably late November, and we shall be ready with our survey results to monitor these although we understand they will still be small holes and no substantial earth will be moved. However, we understand we shall probably be allowed, during spring or summer, to do some exploration by small test pits and angering in places where our surveys show some possible interest. I feel sure the survey team will have an interest in this — even if nothing of archaeological interest shows up, it will help our confidence in our resistivity results if we see what natural features they reflect.

We much appreciate the help and co-operation of Barnet’s Countryside Officer, Mel Lloyd, and the contractor, Keith Gerrard, in arranging this.

London Charterhouse Project

At the time of writing, this project is being planned for the weekend of 18-19 March and by the time you read this we hope that the resistivity survey will have been completed. We have enough volunteers already to form an experienced resistivity team!

Hanshaw Drive (off Thurleby Road, Burnt Oak) — a possible dig

This site is a Barnet Council sheltered housing building which encloses an open area, part of which is a humped-up piece of grass: there is a proposal to level this, and the opportunity arises for some archaeological excavation, which HADAS has been invited to do. The timing is expected, to be sometime in the first half of this year, and Stephen Aleck and I are going to prepare a research design for submission.

This site should be of great interest to HADAS: the green hump is no more than 40 metres from the site where, in 1970, HADAS excavated Roman rubbish pits thought to relate to occupation nearby. (Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society 29(1978)).

OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS

PINNER LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Talk 6th April 8pm. London Roman Roads — Brockley Hill in particular. Harvey Sheldon. Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane. Car park. £l donation.

BARNET LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Talk 12th April Spm. Knebworth House/Lyttons. Jo Birch. Wesley Hall. Stapylton Road. Barnet. The Barnet Local History Society are planning a visit to Knebworth House in July

KENWOOD talk and guided walk Wednesday 12th April 10.30 am The Ancient Boundaries in Kenwood Malcolm Stokes for English Heritage which charges £3.50 (£1.50 cones.) This is open to individuals and groups, but with a maximum of 30 and need to be pre-booked. Vikki O’Connor has reserved half a dozen places so if you would like to come along as part of a HADAS group, please phone her on 020 8361 1350. Otherwise, for information and booking contact Kenwood Visitor Information Centre (near the Restaurant) or the Service Wing Shop telephone 020-7973 3893.

CAMDEN HISTORY SOCIETY Talk 13th April 7.30pm. Hampstead Remembered — various speakers. Burgh House, New End Square, NW3. £1 donation.

LONDON AND MIDDLESEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL CONFERENCE Saturday 15th April Museum of London. LAMAS members £3, non-members £4. The programme includes papers about the excavations at London Bridge City and Spitalfields and the Time Team one at Greenwich. Nearer to our own patch will be a talk about the Roman pottery industry in Highgate Wood. Ticket applications and general enquiries should be addressed to Jon Cotton, Early Department. Museum of London, 150 London Wall. EC2Y 5HN. HADAS will have a stall at this conference — any of our members planning to attend are welcome to take a turn on the stall during the lunch break – or just come and say hello!

WILLESDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Talk 19th April 7.30pm. Street Names in the City – Paul Taylor. Willesden Green Library. Willesden Gallery, High Road NW 10. 1 donation.

FINCHLEY SOCIETY Talk 27th April Spm. Traffic and Transport in Barnet – Robert Hodson. Drawing Room. Avenue House N3.

HELP US BRING IN NEW MEMBERS

Our recent publicity campaigns in the press and through the libraries have been very successful in attracting new members. But we always want more – and you can help.

Enclosed with this issue of the Newsletter are two copies of our poster. All we’d like you to do is ask your local newsagent or corner store to display one in their window.

And if anyone needs more copies, or has any new ideas for spreading the word, please contact our publicity officer, Tim Wilkins.

HADAS HAS ITS VERY OWN WEBSITE

Andrew Selkirk, our Chairman, has set up a website for us at hadas.org.uk If anyone has any contributions, please e-mail Andrew at our new website.

TED SAMMES EVENING – APRIL 11

Ted was a founder member of HADAS, very knowledgeable and helpful, and if he didn’t know the answer to a question, he would do his best to find it. Regrettably Ted died in November 1998, leaving our Society a substantial bequest in his will.

Will any HADAS member or local society who has photographs, slides, articles or reminiscences about Ted, please contact Dorothy or June as soon as possible. Anything archaeological, personal or amusing is acceptable.

Members of other Societies are welcome to come to the Evening, but they should please phone –

HADAS DIARY

Tuesday March 14 Lecture: GOLD DIADEMS FROM PERU by COLIN McEWEN Colin McEwen is Assistant Keeper and Curator of the Central and South American collections at the British Museum. He has excavated in Latin America and has published on Inca state rituals and on Northern Andean archaeology and iconography. He is the author of Ancient Mexico in the British Museum (1994) and a co-editor of Patagonia: Natural History, Prehistory and Ethnography at the Uttermost End of the Earth (1997).

Tuesday April 11 TED SAMMES Evening

Tuesday May 9 HADAS AGM followed by TALK and SLIDES on the year’s activities.

All the above meetings will be in the STEPHENS ROOM upstairs Avenue House, starting at 8.00 pm., followed by coffee and biscuits and chat.

SECRETARY’S CORNER

A meeting of the Committee was held on 4 February 2000. The following items were among those discussed:

1 Terms for a new lease at Avenue House have been agreed.

2 The Society now has its own Website at www.hadas.org.uk

3 Consideration is being given to the investment and use of the Sammes bequest. The Sammes evening will be on 11 April.

4 It is expected that the Society’s book on Commemorative Plaques in our area will be published later in the year.

5 The annual Programme was issued recently and shows a full series of lectures and outings for the year.

6 The AGM will take place on Tuesday, 9 May 2000.

MEMBER’S NEWS

Dorothy has had several requests for Marjorie Errington’s address – now she is in a care home. She would love to hear from old friends in the Society. Here it is:

Greenhill Residential Care Home. Waggon Road, Potters Bar, Herts. EN4 OPH.

Personal Phone 449 8823 preferably after 8.00pm.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Application for planning permission has been received for the demolition of the remaining government offices west of Brockley Hill, for the development of 12 acres to build 96 houses. The land borders the present Watling Street, north of the housing development where previous excavations have discovered parts of the original Roman road.

On the opposite side of the road, no. 3 Brockley Hill. Stanmore has applied to build a rear conservatory extension.

In Hendon, the Daniel Almshouses in Church Road, application to build rear extensions has been received.

MORE ARCHAEOLOGY ON THE WEB by ANDY SIMPSON

Since last month’s resume, more archaeological web sites have come to my attention. Perhaps some kind reader would care to check some out and write a review or two?

That popular BBC2 series Meet the Ancestors, presented by Julian Richards, have their site at http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/ancestors/series3.shtml

(although by the time you read this the current series will have finished)

Those wishing to add to their personal library can see if Heritage Archaeological Books can help out; this company deal in out-of-print, remaindered, new and antiquarian books and have something called a secure line for direct payment at www.heritageweb.com; a free bi-monthly catalogue is available.

I shudder to mention the Millenium, but an interesting London based project is The London String of Pearls Millenium Festival’ based on attractions along the River Thames. This features additional access to some 60 institutions for this year only – privileged access, exhibitions, special tours, concerts, parades and new works from Greenwich to Kew, at such places as Lambeth Palace, Royal Courts of Justice, Southwark Cathedral, Ministry of Defence, Public Record Office Horse Guards, and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Details at wwiv.stringofpearls.org.uk

Those with an interest in Midlands’s archaeology can see what is being reported by the University of Birmingham Field Archaeology Unit at http://wwvv.bufau.bham.ac.uk including details of the virtual reality Wroxeter Roman fortress recently created by a team including former HADAS member Roger White who spoke to us last year.

The Birmingham & Warwickshire Archaeological Society have their site at www.bwas.swinternet.co.uk

ARMAGEDDON AND MEGIDDO AUDREE PRICE-DAV1ES

The February Lecture

Mr Sam Moorehead of the British Museum gave a comprehensive review of the history and archaeology of Megiddo. Presumably this is the site of Armageddon or Har-Magedon – translated as the ‘mount of Megiddo’, which was the site of the final battle of good and evil as related in the Bible, Revelations Chapter 16.

“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven from the throne, saying It is done. And there were voices, and thunders and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.”

Megiddo is sited in a wadi in Israel at the junction of the route north-south, from Jerusalem to Damascus and east-west from the sea inland. Such a site was frequently fought over and successively occupied. Artefacts discovered in the excavations include flints from 8000 BC., carvings in stone from 4000 BC. and a circular altar place associated with Baal in the Bronze Age.

The site was occupied by Egypt and the site pre-dated Mycenae, but the postern gate is comparable with that at Tiryns and there is a vaulted stone roof – a tholes. A scarab brooch also s hows links with Mycenae.

In 1550 BC. there was renewed Egyptian interest. Tutmosis lll fought there in 1468 BC. and captured 924 chariots and recorded his victory on the walls of the great temple at Karnak. It became the pivotal point for the Egyptians who ruled from there.

In the 10th and 9th centuries the Israelites ruled there, and in the Iron Age a vast water system was created. In 627 BC. the Assyrians made Megiddo their centre and created a grain silo, but there was trouble with the Babylonians. In 110 BC. Josiah, an Israelite king, was killed at Megiddo and this was probably the Armageddon of the Bible.

The site was forgotten until the time of St. Jerome. It was identified in the fourteenth century. In 1890 Flinders Petrie excavated to the south in the Levant. Mud brick houses were built on top and this created a mound. In 1903 -1905 Schumacher investigated and in 1925-39 the University of Chicago conducted an excavation but did not record the contents of the spoil heap. In 1992-96 the British Museum has been involved and the report is expected out this year.

In more recent times, Megiddo was the scene of a battle in the First World War when General Allenby led an attack on the Turks and had on his right flank the native troops with Lawrence at their head. Allenby took the title of Lord Allenby of Megiddo after this.

There is continuing excavation on a site which still has much to reveal, and the enthusiasm, knowledge and experience of the lecturer brought this subject to life.

CAAC – CONSERVATION AREA ADVISORY COMMITTEE from DAWN ORR

(HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB)

Conservation Areas were set up by legislation in 1968, with advisory committees appointed by Local Authorities to advise planning officers on applications and other planning matters. The ten members, who meet by turns every three weeks, are all voluntary professionals such as architects and surveyors, or ‘lay’ people with specialist knowledge and/or interest in the area, not necessarily residents.

HADAS’s first representative was the late Mrs Brigid Grafton Green, whom I followed in 1983. Long service reflects the interest of the work – the present Chairman, Mr Norman Wheatley, since 1978, several others more than 10 years.

CAAC have not yet seen archaeological remains, but modern extensions require deep foundations

and the West Heath dig is very close—– ‘

ENGLAND’S CATHEDRALS: WATERCOLOURS by PETER HUME

EXHIBITION AT CHURCH FARMHOUSE MUSEUM 4 MARCH – 21 MAY 2000

Mill Hill artist – and former architect – Peter Hume’s project to paint all the medieval English Cathedrals bore fruit in a book published in 1999. The Exhibition displays the original watercolours, as well as photographs of the interiors and details of nearby Cathedrals such as Southwark and St Albans; late 19th Century models of Cathedral buildings, and background historical material. Peter Hume’s splendid pictures make us look afresh at what are arguably the most important surviving buildings of the last Millennium.

OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS

LONDON CANAL MUSEUM talk 2 March 7.30 pm. Working and Living on the Cut – Nigel Hamilton – New Wharf Rd.. Kings Cross NI £2.50/£1.25 concession.

HEATH AND HAMPSTEAD SOCIETY Walk 5 March 2.30 pm. The Heath – Past and Present Michael Harnmerson, Highgate archaeologist – Burgh House, New End Square, NW3

PINNER LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY talk 9 March 8prn.Pinner Events A.D. 1000-20(X) – Research Group – Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane car park. £1.

BARNET LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY talk 13 March 3.00pm. Kenwood – Stefan Dreja – Wesley Hall, Stapylton Road, Barnet.

FRIENDS OF BARNET BOROUGH LIBRARIES 20 March 8.15prn My Lord Mayor illustrated talk on some aspects of the City of London – Cyril Dombey, City of London Guide – Church End Library, Hendon Lane. N3

CAMDEN HISTORY SOCIETY talk 23 March 7.30pm. Greenwich Marsh before the Dome – Mary Hills – Burgh House, New End Square NW3

FINCHLEY SOCIETY talk 30 March 8pm. Magistrates in the Community Mike Herlihy – Drawing Room, Avenue House, N3.

BIRKBECK HISTORY SUMMER SCHOOL, 12–16 June: From Rome to Dome – 20(K) Years of London Life, Culture and Development. Whole week £150. per day £35. Apply to Carol Watts, Faculty of Continuing Education, 26 Russell Square, WC1B 5DQ. 020 7631 6652.

BIRKBECK COLLEGE,

6 – 10 March An Introduction to Archaeological Field Surveying.

Sat. 1- Sun. 2 April. An Introduction to Archaeological Fieldwork Techniques. 020 7631 6627 course details.

ANOTHER RESISTIVITY PROJECT FOR THE NEW YEAR IN BARNET; BARNET GATE WOOD MEADOW TREE PLANTING

BRIAN WRIGLEY writes; The English Heritage advisor to the London Borough of Barnet, Robert Whytehead, has notified us of proposed tree-planting by the Forestry Commission at Barnet Gate Meadow (close to the junction of Hendon Wood Lane and Barnet Road, near Arkley), and suggested we might monitor the ground disturbance. We have suggested that preliminary levelling and resistivity surveying might be useful in showing up any anomalies in the surface or subsoil, indicating areas of possible interest. Barnet Borough, owners of the site, would be more than happy to allow

this, and we understand that planting will not start until March..

There is a fairly large area (something like 300 X 40 metres) to cover, for which resistivity testing may take several full days’ work, which needs to be done before the planting starts, so we need help from as many members as possible. Would any members who would like to take part please contact me on 0208 959 5982 or Vicky O’Connor on 0208 361 1350 (Note those new area codes – Ed)

HOT NEWS UPDATE Several of the ‘Digging Team’ ventured up to Barnet gate on a cold and clear Sunday 16th January for a preliminary reconnaissance. It is a very pretty spot, a long, narrow undulating pasture field running down towards the Dollis Valley, with a band of trees on both sides. The low winter sunlight revealed possible ridge and furrow to one side of the field (or is it tractor marks?) and the first few pegs of a base line were laid in and the nearest bench mark located. The

Gate pub is readily accessible for lunchtime refreshment, and the local woodpecker was in good form, thankfully avoiding our ranging poles on this occasion. Brian reports that five members visited on Wednesday 19th Jan, making three runs across the field with the resistivity meter, and getting some

interesting readings – Ed.

UPDATE II – LISTING BUILDING

Local drinkers will be dismayed to hear that the RISING SUN public house, Highwood Hill, a listed building, was hit by a bus (from the uphill direction !!) on Monday 17th and badly damaged.

HADAS DIARY

Tuesday 8th February LECTURE; Armageddon; A History of Megiddo by Sam Moorhead

Meggido is thought to be the site of the biblical Armageddon. It is one of the major archaeological sites in Israel, and has been considerably excavated over the past 100 years. Sam Moorhead is a staff member at the British Museum.

This lecture will as always be at Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley N3, starting at 8pm and followed by coffee and biccies and the chance for a chat and purchase of HADAS publications.

EXHIBITION NEWS

Up on Greyhound Hill, there is still time to catch the excellent current Church Farmhouse Museum exhibition – BARNET: a Century of Change which closes 13th February. This uses photos and artefacts from each decade of the century to chart the changes affecting our lives in the 20th century. Subjects include transport, public services, housing, war, schools, entertainment, and shopping. Strangely enough, your editor found himself drawn to the case containing the trolleybus destination blind, tubestock destination boards for Finchley, railway milepost, and the single line token for the former Mill Hill East – Edgware railway line! The exhibition is based on the new book Barnet: The Twentieth Century ( Sutton Publishing 1999) by our own Percy Reboul and John Heathfield, and available at the museum.

A smaller temporary exhibition, Strange Barnet includes the sheep skeleton excavated by HADAS from the garden at the rear of the Museum in 1999, sharing a case with a mummified cat!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Brian Wrigley, our esteemed excavation secretary, writes; Sheila Woodward’s report in the last Newsletter of John Creighton’s November lecture makes me feel it essential to apologise for not being able to attend it. It was John, in alliance with his schoolmate my son Stephen, who made me join HADAS in the late 1970’s so that, in accord with insurance requirements, I could come as their ‘guardian’ while they took part in the west Heath dig. While John (I now see) lost interest in the Mesolithic, and Stephen lost his in archaeology generally, I remained a member and having obtained a certificate for doing the training dig at West Heath thought I Should make use of it by taking the Diploma! I have certainly retained my interest in the Mesolithic and Prehistory generally, and indeed the reason I was unable to come to John’s lecture was my Tuesday evening lecture course on prehistoric Britain – which I am taking to bring me up- to- date on what I learned nearly 20 years

ago! Whilst there may be some logic in my absence from the lecture, I still very much regret it!

NEWS UPDATE – AVENUE HOUSE DIGGING TEAM

Bill Bass informs us that two HADAS members, Brian McCarthy and Peter Nicholson, have been attending the Museum of London Specialist Services office at Eagle Wharf Road to help identify the ceramic building material (CBM) collected from the Brockley Hill fieldwalking in 1998.They are there for a English Heritage grant assisted total of five days instruction and sorting spread over a number of weeks. They are being supervised by Ian Betts who has spoken to us before at one of our lecture days. In conjunction with this the Society has just bought a Brunel binocular microscope to study our various CBM and pottery collections.

Other ongoing projects include the site watching and resistivity at Barnet Gate Meadow ( see front page), forthcoming resistivity surveying at London Charterhouse, completion of writing up the assorted digs and surveys at the Church Farmhouse Museum and having a good old sort out at Avenue House and College Farm to address our problems of lack of storage space. We have also bought 50 strong cardboard storage boxes to assist this.

This should all keep us off the streets for a week or two!

ARCHAEOLOGY ON THE WEB

With a growing number of HADAS members ‘on line’ here are some of the new web sites sitting there waiting to be ‘hit’; Thanks to Ann Kahn for some of this info.

The Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) has completed the second phase of its web site development; The MGC site now includes a new site search facility and over 30 free downloadable fact sheets, and advice about museums issues. Visitors to the site can interact by nominating their favourite museum object. New online for 2000 is the ‘Cornucopia’ web site covering the collections of all 1,700 MGC Registered Museums in the UK, with the aim of giving users all the information needed to contact a museum or make a visit, as well as providing a link to that museum’s own web site. ( www.museums.gov.uk/)

The Public Record Office, Kew has now put its indexes on the internet. Viewers can locate a set of documents and request them to be available when you visit Kew, or view famous documents such as Napoleon’s post mortem report, the first American newspaper, and,-within a couple of-years, the complete 1901 census will also be on the web. ( www.pro.gov.uk)

Information on the Swindon based English Heritage (former RCHME) National Monuments Record – providing details on the Archaeology and architecture of England, including photographs of people and buildings, aerial photography, building surveys, maps, plans and drawings is described at www.english-heritage.org.uk. The National Monuments Record is also involved in the Lottery funded Images of England national project to create a new photographic record of some 360,000

photographs over the next three years – ‘a defining image’ ( external) – of all the listed buildings and

structures in England at the turn of the Millenium. The project website and its selection of images can be visited at www.imagesofengland.org.uk

The Council For British Archaeology – publishers of British Archaeology and organisers of the Young Archaeologists Club- website can be found at http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cba

Our own Chairman, Andrew Selkirk of course has his own publishing venture – see www.archaeology.co.uk for the CURRENT ARCHAEOLOGY website.

At this juncture it would of course be remiss of me not to mention the web site of a certain local

aircraft museum – www.rafrnuseum.org.uk.

HALF-TERM TREAT

Monday 21th February – we will be taking a small group of younger members (7-15 years) to visit the LAARC (London Archaeological Archive and Research Centre) for a short guided tour. This centre is frequently on News Room South East or on the radio, when they process something out of the ordinary. If you, ( or your son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter) would like to join us, please phone Vikki O’Connor on 0208 ( ex 0181) 361 1350 as soon as possible. The tour would be around an hour on the Monday afternoon, and we will be meeting at Highbury & Islington Underground Station for a short bus ride to the centre. The exact timing will be finalised by the time you have read this!

(The Archive is due to be closed to visitors for about twelve months for building work, so this is your last chance till next year!)

PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN THE NORTHERN AREA BILL BASS…..

There has been a proposal to rebuild or develop The Marie Foster Home in Wood Street, Barnet. HADAS conducted an excavation next door to this site at the former Victoria Maternity Hospital in 1993. In addition to much post medieval disturbance we found a probable medieval ditch aligning with Wood Street which may have run under the Marie Foster Home ( if the feature has survived). Other medieval finds have been found in the area over the years….AND TESSA SMITH;

Former White Lion Public House & Edgware Football Club; Construction of 4-story hotel and new access to the football club. Situated on the old Watling Street and adjacent to the old bridge where the Deansbrook crosses Edgware Road. Robert Whytehead of English Heritage is issuing a field evaluation brief.

Hearns Coach Yard, Brockley Hill; Replacement room for drivers. Situated due north of the field 140, where HADAS last field-walked in 1998, and where Roman pottery kilns were fund by Stephen Castle. Robert Whytehead is requesting a watching brief.

Hendon; 19 Rowsley Ave – near to Roman cremation and Church Terrace dig.

39 Meadow Drive NW4 – ditto.

51-53 High Street Edgware – Perrys Show Room to be changed to a supermarket.

VOLUNTEERING AT SPITALFIELDS BILL BASS

As with several other HADAS members I was lucky to volunteer on this extensive and important site of the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital in east London. Starting with finds processing, I then managed several weeks between June and October excavating on site. I’d had some experience digging on a Roman and Saxon cemetery adjacent to St. Albans Abbey several years ago but this was something else altogether.

Overall the site was multi-period from Roman to post-medieval with burials, features, floors, streets and structures; my time was spent in the Medieval cemetery. This meant digging skeletons – the hospital inmates, monastic canons, lay sisters and benefactors, just some of the c.8500 excavated over nearly a year by MOLAS, the archaeological contractor. This was described by Julian Richards of ‘Meet the Ancestors’ fame (you may have seen the programme) as ‘archaeology on an industrial scale’. I can only agree. For most of the dig MoLAS employed over 100 archaeologists, plus excavators, mostly on short term contracts for the duration of the dig, also several students and volunteers.

What struck you first overlooking the site was the sheer size of the project, bordered by the old Spitalfields market, Eden house and St. Botolph’s, with a surrounding backdrop of shiny modern office blocks. The excavation was destined to become a carpark for one such building. Then you noticed the hive of activity as people were digging, recording, surveying and carrying the results – bags of Skeletons to be stored before washing, drying and so forth. Apart from the scattering of 82 burials from the underlying Roman cemetery the rest were from the extensive and intensively used Medieval cemetery of the Priory and Hospital. The site has been known about for a long time, indeed MoLAS have been excavating in this area for the last 20 years or so.

On site there were various ways to find a burial including;

· spraying an area with water to show up the burial ‘cut’

· ‘spitting’ with a mattock – i.e. slicing off sections of brickearth a few centimetres thick until finding a burial ( usually the skull to start with)

· or, very often when excavating one skeleton or feature, another burial is disturbed.

· This last point is important as all the burials had to be dug in a stratigraphic manner to enable the correct phasing of the cemetery to be seen, to show for example, where the cemetery was started, how it was used and how intensively over the several centuries it was in use (c.1235 to 1538), although the hospital inmates were buried in a separate cemetery until 1280.

Once a burial was found it was a matter of defining any edges and then extent and completeness of the skeleton. Quite often you were dealing with parts – odd legs, feet, skulls etc – how did these relate to surrounding burials? Often excavators could have several skeletons exposed for some time until the right relationship between them could be found.

Once this had been established your burial could then be carefully excavated by trowel, brush etc. making sure small hand and feet bones-were- situ and looking for evidence of coffin nails or small finds associated with the body. Although there were some coffin burials, most people appeared to be laid to rest with a simple shroud. Any obvious signs of pathology such as bone disease or healed and broken bones would be notified to the bone specialist in case they wanted to see the material before it was lifted.

Once the bones had been uncovered and cleaned in situ it was time to have them surveyed, because of the amount of skeletons and time involved the burials were not individually drawn in relation to a grid but are plotted by ‘pen-mapping’.

I’d seen this done when laying out a grid for a field-walking operation but not on-site such as this. The technique involves a type of laptop computer connected to an electronic theodolite; the theodolite emits an infra-red beam which is reflected by a prism held over different points on the skeleton or feature to be recorded, this giving an instant reading of the burial plotted on to the site grid with its levels, the recording process taking 5-10 minutes, much quicker than by tape and drawing.

Once downloaded onto the main computer all sorts of information about density and relationships could be seen, plotted and printed out. A digital photograph of all skeletons was also taken. While this was going on you would get on with the paperwork such as entering numbers for the cut, skeleton, and fill of the burial, each of these 3 items needing a MoLAS pro-forma context or skeleton sheet to be filled in. Describing various elements of the burial such as orientation, position of the body, limbs, head and condition of the bone and so on, plus the all important stratigraphic matrix. Once recorded the bones could be lifted, which was not always a simple task – the brickearth did not want to give up its dead that easily.

Leg and arm bones were generally 0.K to lift but the ribs, vertebrae ( and sometimes skulls) were often a challenge being fragile and sometimes in poor condition. The bones were bagged and labelled then stored upstairs for washing.

In general there were few finds from the graves themselves, but some important ones included a papal bulla, a lead disc given as a reward by the Pope for charitable works and about five other graves were found with a communion set consisting of a pewter chalice and paten denoting a priest. These were lifted by specialist conservators ‘en block’ for excavation back at the lab.

The above does not take into account digging any of the mass burial pits with 20 or more skeletons in each which was a complex and time consuming job. It was however fascinating to be around and work on such an important and interesting London excavation. Many thanks to all the staff on site especially Dave Bowsher, Nick Holder, Tony Grey ( finds) and Site Director Chris Thomas for their help.

From the Membership Secretary

Hello to the following members who have joined since August; Christian Allen & Lin Liu; Daniel Anglum; Megan Rosen-Webb; Shane Copus; Leslie Hedges; Tricia Roberts; Dr and Mrs John Gorvin; James Boureh; Andrew Coulson; Rose Wilson; Jill Hooper; Elaine Furze; Sonia Mariani; Peter Collins. We have already met most of you at one event or another, and look forward to seeing

more of you this year – and bring a friend!

APACHE AUTUMN AGAIN 1999 DEREK BATTEN

This report is a continuation of my 1998 dig in the Guadelope Mountains, dutifully documented in Apache Autumn 1998. This Passport in Time project had failed to locate the site of Lt. Cushing’s December 1869 fight with the Mescalero Apaches and it was decided to extend the search this year.

I telephoned our project leader, Chris Adams, to be told that New Mexico had received abnormal rainfall this summer, and I could expect the land to be much greener. This had increased the presence of rattlesnakes in the area. Gulp! But I remembered the 1998 Apache advice to bang the ground with a stick to keep the critters away. ( in four days I saw only one snake; a patch head, about two feet long and quite slim).

It seemed a good idea to arrange my itinerary to fit in a visit to the Alamo. The Alamo’s claims to be the cradle of Texan liberty, all presented by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is well presented, like most American historical locations. There was a time chart outside relating Texan and world events. Of course, I always get angry when read for 1815; ‘European coalition defeats Napoleon at Waterloo’ making no recognition of Wellington.

There are ten of us in the team this year, five from last year and five newcomers. In the four days I can participate, we find two new Rancheria sites but no evidence of Cushing’s attack. On the first day I locate a coscojo – part of a Mexican bridle, and on day three find a number of metal arrow head points. Our big find that day was a Spanish silver coin dated 1884 and showing the head of King Carlos III. On this day we were visited by Mark Rosacker who runs a sanctuary for injured wild animals; he led us on an unsuccessful hike through a canyon in search of a pictograph of a Spanish padre.

So – very little archaeological success but the search continues. We did see several pictographs and petroliths. With luck I might be back in 2000.

COUCH POTATO CORNER

For those dark winter evenings when the trowel is best used for slicing the pizza, the TV programmers have brought back some old favourites;

We are well into the new TIME TEAM series; still to come, all on a Sunday at 5.30pm, are Elvedon – the earliest traces of mankind, on 6th February; Coventry – the missing Cathedral and the diabetic prior, on 13th February; Basing House, Royalist stronghold in the civil war, on 20th Feb; Flag Fen – Bronze Age Burial Practices, on 27th February, Greenwich – The Roman Temple on Watling Street on 12th March, Hartlepool, Nuns in Northumbria, on 19th March, and York – Imperial Mausoleum, Viking Street and Norman Hospital, following up from last year’s live dig, on 26th March. ( Also now showing is the new series of Meet The Ancestors)

From the Membership Secretary

Hello to the following members who have joined since August; Christian Allen & Lin Liu; Daniel Anglum; Megan Rosen-Webb; Shane Copus; Leslie Hedges; Tricia Roberts; Dr and Mrs John Gorvin; James Bourch; Andrew Coulson; Rose Wilson; Jill Hooper; Elaine Furze; Sonia Mariani; Peter Collins. We have already met most of you at one event or another, and look forward to seeing more of you this year – and bring a friend!

JANUARY LECTURE REPORT by Andy Simpson

A packed house enjoyed an excellent talk from long-time HADAS member Okasha El Daly

on `Predynastic Egypt: The Formative Years’. Our lecturer has taught courses on Egypt for 20 years, and in that time has noticed a general lack of interest in pre-dynastic, pre Pharaoh Egypt, covering the period 6600 – 3000BC. The former title for this period, proto-dynastic, has recently been revived. The beginning of this period, c.7000 BC, saw climatic change certainly in Egypt and possibly on a global scale. There was extreme drought in the desert areas. People arrived in the area later to become Egypt some 300,000 years ago, moving eastwards but not up to the Nile – they settled instead around large freshwater lakes such as Napta in Southern Egypt. By 6,700 BC the inhabitants were still hunter-gatherers , with fishing and some agriculture evident. The search for fertile land brought outsiders from Mesopotamia and Arabia, producing a mix of indigenous and incoming peoples including African and near eastern elements. Egypt is 1.070km long, North – South, and 1,270KM wide. The southern part of Upper Egypt – has little green land but much desert. With such a

restraint on land many buildings are built on top of one another, producing tell-like mounds as they decay and are replaced. Parts of Egypt are forested, and there is a large petrified forest in the SE of the country, a half hours drive from Cairo. In Cairo there is a Predynastic site on an early road from the Red Sea.

Ancient King Lists show early Egyptians were aware of this past, referred to in shadowy, supernatural terms of gods and demi-gods supposedly living up to 30,000 years before the first dynasty. This time scale, large though it is, could be correct, though we presently can only trace events back some 7,000 years. The King Lists record the mother’s name, not the fathers, hinting at a matriarchal society. The level of the life-giving, irrigating Nile is also recorded on these lists.

One site visited had in-situ quern stones on the surface with even their grinding stones still intact, and fertile soil buried beneath 2-3 cm of sand. The level of the now lost Lake Napta fluctuated, so wells with carved steps were dug on its perimeter. The rock drawings of c.40000 BC show, very accurately, animals now found further south, such as giraffes and elephants, and also the Ostrich,. which does still survive in the Egyptian desert. Another urban site of 5,200 BC has burials between and beneath the houses with house lined streets suggesting centrally imposed social order.

The occupants worshipped the cow goddess as the cow was one of the earliest domesticated animals. Of the figurines found, 90% are female, again possibly reflecting a matriarchal society. There is evidence of well organised linen workshops, and distinctive bone combs with animal decoration. There is much ceramic material, and bird headed figures – human, or a deity? The Predynastic period entered its final phase c.3,700 BC and features wooden model houses with lintel built doors and windows. The area was still dry – today, parts of Upper Egypt get rain every 30-40 years. One painted tomb shows distinctive boats and animals fighting – possibly a festival. Carvings of this late period suggest some warfare, organised by the kings that ruled by this time, although trade was an important influence on the unification process. Ivory plaques show war scenes on one side and peaceful scenes on the other. There is evidence of the emergence of a middle class – we have the names of senior officials on tablets. This was a most detailed and enjoyable reminder that there is more to the history of Egypt than the Pyramids and ‘King Tut’?

NEWS FLASH – The Iron Age Interpretative centre at Flag Fen, previously visited by HADAS, has been damaged by fire. The museum and visitor centre are untouched, but the post excavation room, containing Francis Pryors’ slide collection and 3 years site archive, is lost. Our Condolences.

OTHER SOCIETIES’ EVENTS by Eric Morgan

LONDON CANAL MUSEUM 3rd February 730pm

The Ice Age: Satisfying the Victorian Appetite for Ice – Dr. Robert David New Wharf Road, King’s Cross N.11 £2.50/1.25 concessions.

PINNER LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY 3rd February 8pm

Emma and Horatia: Like Mother, Like Daughter? Joan Walpole Reilly Pinner Village Hall Chapel Lane car park £1.00 donation requested.

LAMAS Thursday 10 Feb, AGM followed by Derek Keene’s Presidential address; New Thoughts on the Royal Palace in the City of London, 6.15pm Museum of London, London Wall.

WILLESDEN LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY 16th February 8pm HADAS stalwart MARY O’CONNELL is talking on ‘London’s Oddities’

at The Archives, Cricklewood Library, Olive Road, NW2,

HAMPSTEAD SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY 17th February 8.15pm

Evolutionary & Genetic Control of Body Asymmetry Dr Jonathan Cook. Crypt Room St. John’s Church, Church Row NW3.

BERKHAMSTEAD & DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Thurs 24 Feb, LOOKING AT ROMAN COINS, David Thorold, Deputy Keeper of Archaeology, Verulamium Museum. 8pm Berkharnsted Collegiate School, Newcroft Wing, Mill Street, Berkhamsted ( £1 donation )

FINCHLEY SOCIETY 24th February 8pm

Organisation, Supply and Retailing at Teseo Drawing Room, Avenue House, Finchley.

16th Local History Day ASPECTS OF THE MILLENIUM Saturday 26 February;

Winston Churchill Hall Ruislip 9.45 am – 4.45pm. Tickets £3 Tel; 01895 635890 from Mary Pache, 20 Rosebury Vale, Ruislip, Middx. HA4 6AQ. (Cheques to R_NELHS with SAE). Speakers include Jim Gotland, who took HADAS on an excellent tour and talk on the origins of Harrow School, and Pat Clark who took us on an excellent tour of Pinner, followed by a visit to Harrow Museum. Topics include The Domesday Survey in NW Middlesex, changes in churches in Tudor Times, Transport and Industry, and housing for the rural working class.

Welcome to the first newsletter of the New Year and Millennium
(even if you think it’s 12 months early), good luck and best wishes for the future.

Ted Sammes – A Generous Bequest

Ted, founder-member and Vice President who died in November 1998 has left the bulk of his Will between two main parties – HADAS and The Maidenhead Archaeological Society, he lived in Taplow in recent years. HADAS has received £60,000 so far with some more to come once details of the Estate have been settled. For the present the money will be banked until a decision is made on its future use. An evening is being planned in April to celebrate Ted’s life and his archaeology, there will be reminiscences from people and friends who knew him and an exhibition of his work, amongst others things. Ted was highly active in HADAS’s early years contributing to the society’s early successful excavations helping to uncover Hendon’s archaeology and foundation.

London Charterhouse Project for the New Year – by Brian Wrigley

HADAS has been asked by Colin Bowlt to carry out a resistivity survey to determine whether a likely feature shown on an aerial photograph can confirm the location of a water conduit built in 1431 by the Carthusian monks. We visited the site in November and identified the area to be surveyed. It would be useful if we could recruit enough volunteers to form two teams; one for the resistivity runs and one to take a series of runs with the level. The project should take one or perhaps two weekends, but as this seems to be a somewhat chilly winter so far, we will wait for slightly warmer weather. In the meantime, any members who would like to take part, please contact myself on 0208 959 5982 or Vikki O’Connor on 0208 361 1350 as we need to draw up a list of people available. Perhaps some of those members who had some training on the Church Farmhouse Museum dig last summer would like to have a go? We would be giving at least one weeks’ notice.

The site is five minutes away from the Barbican Underground Station, close to Smithfield.

HADAS DIARY

Thursday 13 January Lecture: ‘Predynastic Egypt: The Formative Years’ by Kasha El Daly –

Please note that this lecture is on THURSDAY and not on the usual Tuesday.

Most people think of Egypt starting with the pyramids, this evening’s lecture will give an overview of recent works tracing developments from the seventh millennium BCE leading up to the rise of Civilisation in the Nile Valley. °kasha graduated from Cairo University in 1980. Worked as a guide and lecturer until he came to Britain in 1992 and started teaching Egyptology at the University of London.

Tuesday 6 February Lecture: Armageddon and Megiddo by Sam Moorhead.

The first lecture for 2000 will be in the Drawing Room (ground floor) at Avenue House, East End Road, Finchley, N3 Starting at 8.00pm (new time) followed by coffee.

Secretary’s Corner

A meeting of the Committee was held on 3 December 1999. The following items were among those discussed:

1. Continued consideration is being given to alternative more suitable premises. Meanwhile a new lease is being negotiated at Avenue House.

2. As a result of increased publicity, membership has grown to 310. A new leaflet about the Society and its activities has been prepared for issue to new members.

3. The Society is buying a binocular microscope to aid finds processing at a cost of approximately £300.

4. As previously reported, the Sammes Memorial Evening will take place in April.

5. Work on the Church Farm House and Brockley Hill fieldwalking finds continues.

6. There is a proposal for tree planting at Barnet Gate Meadow and the Society has been invited to monitor ground disturbance.

7. There are vacancies on the committee which should be filled by new, active members – particularly young ones! Next Meeting 4 February 2000

In connection with number 1 above, do any members own or know of a secure/dry storage area where we could keep our digging equipment and possibly some finds? Such as a lock-up garage, shed or small room, we would be prepared to pay a reasonable rent for a place perhaps in the Finchley or Hendon area. If so please phone Bill Bass on 0181-449-0165, thanks.

Membership News

Phyllis Fletcher – our membership secretary for many years, has moved to The ORCHARD in Hampstead Garden Suburb_ Her phone number

remains the same.

Mickey Cohen – one of our Newsletter editors and committee members, had an accident in her flat and has spent 3 weeks in the Royal Free. She is now convalescing and hopes to be home soon.

Marjorie Errington – a very long standing member has had to move to a retirement home in Potters Bar, following a year or two of ill-health. A popular member who rarely missed our events, we wish her well in her new home. Her new address and phone number can be obtained from Dorothy or Vikki.

from Dorothy Newbury

Murial Large – has also had an accident and tells us she misses our activities, particularly the lectures.

If any Finchley members could offer her a lift sometimes I am sure she would appreciate it.

Freda Wilkinson – sadly we have to report her death in November. She was almost a founder member, joining HADAS in its very early days. She was an indexer by profession and in her early days was a very active member, excavating at West Heath Mesolithic site and at the Church End dig in Hendon. She was an active member of the Prehistoric Society, travelling at home and abroad on their study tours. She was cremated at Hendon Crematorium where several members attended.
The NEWSLETTER

Dorothy writes to say we are looking for a replacement editor. HADAS is very lucky to have 12 members who are willing to take on this job. Not many local societies have a Newsletter every month. Vikki O’Connor says we have quite a number of new members – do we have one who could fill the place of one who has reluctantly retired ? Or do we have an old member prepared to produce one a year. Copy is sent in by members, then typed or word-processed and sent back to me for printing. We still send Newsletters to members who have moved away to all parts of the country, and is much appreciated by all of them. We are grateful to our members who take on this job – and don’t always get the appreciation they deserve.

NOVEMBER LECTURE Report by Sheila Woodward

John Creighton – Britain in the Shadow of Rome

It was good to welcome John Creighton back to a HADAS gathering. As a teenager he dug on our Mesolithic site at West Heath and so acquired a taste for excavation, though he admits that it taught him that the Mesolithic was not for him! His interest now centres on Iron Age and Roman archaeology and in his lecture he offered a re-interpretation of Roman influence in Britain between Caesar’s invasions of 55 and 54BC and the Claudian conquest and occupation of 43AD.

Taking the famous St Albans Folly Lane burial as his starting point, John Creighton suggested that its depiction as a Celtic Iron Age burial and shrine gives a wrong emphasis. The material culture associated with the burial is clearly Roman. It is accepted that Julius Caesar conquered Gaul but we do not see him as having conquered Britain: he just ‘popped over’. Yet Caesar himself claimed that he had conquered Britain; he had a triumph to prove it.

So, did south-east Britain become part of the Roman world from 55BC? Certainly it ceased to be the ‘unknown quantity’ it had been prior to Caesar’s invasion. It features in the Roman literature of the period and its tribal dynasties are well attested both there and in the tribal coinage. Commius of the Atrebates was Caesar’s ally during the invasion of Britain and though he subsequently changed sides he seems later to have agreed terms with Mark Antony. Coins issued by Commius and his successors began to be Romanised, even to the use of the title Rex for the leader. Similarly, among the Catevellauni, coins of ‘King Tasciovanus’ were being minted by about 20BC. Does this mean, asked John Creighton, that these dynasties from Gaul were ‘planted’ in Britain by Caesar to encourage Romanisation? It is known that Caesar and other conquerors took children of the elite in conquered countries and brought them up as Romans. Returned to their own countries as rulers, they would become allies of Rome.

The design of coins minted in south east Britain after 54BC began to change from traditional abstract patterns to Roman-type imagery such as sphinxes, gryphons and vine leaves. Copies of coins issued by Augustus featuring his equestrian statue and a star (following the appearance of a comet) were produced by the Atrebates. After his victory at Actium, Augustus’ coins used the figure of Victory standing on a globe to express world domination. The Catuvellaunian King Cunobelin issued coins featuring Victory to symbolise his authority in Britain – but his Victory holds a torque instead of a laurel wreath. And when the Roman world under its emperor Augustus at last achieved peace, this was symbolised in the symmetry of its coin designs. A similar symmetry then appears on British coinage.

The Roman custom of educating conquered “princelings” in Rome enabled the future rulers of client kingdoms to get to know each other. It must have created quite an international enclave. For example Juba of Nubia, brought up in Rome, married a daughter of Antony and then became King of Mauritania. Because of such contacts Britain’s copying of coin imagery was not confined to Rome. British coins of the period show links with Mauritania, North Africa and the Black Sea region.

All this Romanisation of late Iron Age Britain would account, in John Creighton’s view, for the suspiciously speedy success of the Claudian conquest 45AD. The urbanisation of south east Britain had already begun: oppida established, coins being restyled, lucrative trade with the rest of the Roman world. Perhaps the cynical Tacitus said it all: “Britons were gradually led on to the amenities that make vice agreeable – arcades, baths and sumptuous banquets. They spoke of such novelties as ‘civilisation’ when really they were only a feature of their enslavement.”

Christmas Dinner

Members enjoyed an interesting tour around Dr Johnson’s House, he lived at 17 Gough Square from 1748 – 1759, and it was here that he compiled the first English dictionary published in 1755. The house contains books, papers, letters prints, and other artefacts from Samuel Johnson’s time. While some of the features have been restored such as wood paneling, staircase and some period furniture, the rooms are kept as ‘working spaces’ for events and the use of researchers. The dinner was held at the nearby Ye Olde Cock Tavern originally built in 1549, 56 HADAS members followed in the illustrious footsteps of previous customers such as Pepys, Dickens, Seridan and Garrick.

Time Team 2000

The team have been recording new programmes for a 12 part series starting in January. Excavations include: a WW2 Spitfire in France, a Pagan Temple in Greenwhich and other sites in Benidorm (!), Coventry, Hereford and Hartlepool.

Also look out for the new season of Meet the Ancestors beginning in January with the first programme on the Roman Sarcophacus found at Spitalfields

Dover Boat

The Bronze Age craft excavated in 1992 by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust during roadworks is now on display at Dover Museum, The 31 ft vessel has been dated to 1550 BC and is thought to have been sea-going. Its plank-sewn construction is broadly similar to that of one found at North Ferriby on the River Humber before the last war. Restoration cost 12.5 million, the vessel now rests propped on a steel cradle in a sealed glass case.

EXCAVATIONS AT BROCKLEY HILL, STANMORE

In the Transactions of the LAMAS 1998 Wessex Archaeology report on an excavation they carried out at Brockley Hill, Stanmore. The site was located to the west of Watling Street (Harrow side) near the southern end of the hill by the A410 roundabout. Investigations were required in advance of housing development on former Ministry of Defence land. The site had suffered heavily by disturbance and truncation from the former MoD buildings and service roads.

In summary, the material they found consisted of ” sporadic” Romano-British activity, of a varied, but somewhat enigmatic nature. There was no evidence of any domestic occupation of the site and no obvious links with the Brockley Hill kilns to the north. Discrete deposits of gravel and concentrations of fragmentary and abraded Roman masonry and ceramics were found adjacent to the road to the south of the site, and this area may have served as a road-maintenance depot. Evidence of industrial activity was recovered in the north of the site, but its precise nature is unclear. The presence of large ponds or wells may be linked with industrial use of the site or indicate that it also served as a watering place for drovers travelling between London and Verulamium “. It was felt that the artifactual evidence indicated a predominantly late Romano-British occupation (AD 240-400), although earlier material had been found, this was thought to be residual/dumped from elsewhere. Other finds included metalwork, worked limestone and a small amount of wood (stakes and planks) from one of the former ponds. Features found included ditches, gullies, pits, slots and post- holes. Illustration unfortunately not available

The pottery and ceramic building material report here is also of interest in view of our (HADAS) recent fieldwalking of the kiln area at the top of Brockley Hill. Their earlier fabrics (AD 60-160) are dominated by Verulamium Region White wares and other unassigned sandy wares with some non-local finer Nene Valley colour coated types and a little Samian ware. This, at a glance, seems to broadly follow the pattern of our fieldwalking pottery, the material from both sites also appear to be fairly abraded Their later fine wares consist of a significant amount of colour coated and parchment pottery from Oxford.

Although not very conclusive the report adds more detail and information to this very interesting area, but our friend, Sulloniacis, still remains elusive.

Cutting comments

A mysterious but almost perfectly preserved underground structure unearthed in Orkney may contain the first Neolithic staircase ever discovered. If the three-storey structure turns out to be from that period, c3000 BC, archaeologists say it will shed fresh light on the Neolithic people’s capabilities. There are in fact three staircases connecting various chambers, one contains an alcove housing an animal skull. John Gater, a geophysics expert, has found evidence of an enormous ditch built around the site. He also believes satellite buildings were scattered near it. Historic Scotland will decide this year (1999) whether to fund a full-scale excavation of the site.

WINE ANYONE

A 300 year intact bottle of wine found by MoLAS archaeologists at the Spitalfields excavation was widely reported when it was opened for sampling by experts. It was one of two found in the remains of the cellar beneath the former house of the Master Gunner of England. The house was demolished in 1682 – allowing this onion shaped bottle to be dated to 1670-1680.

” Slightly volatile, dry and surprisingly fresh” said the experts, ” Somewhere off the west African coast, possibly Madeira, possibly the Canaries…. but it has high acid, good acid, which is typical of the Madeira”, soil “.

IMPRESSIONS OF PERU by Bill Bass

The Spanish conquistadors encountered in Peru a land of bewildering contrasts – coastal desert, high plateau, snow-capped mountain ranges, fertile valleys with rushing rivers, and dense Amazon rainforest. The Inca Empire c1100-1500AD was the largest in the Americas, extending over 4,000 kilometres from northern Ecuador to the heart of Chile. Its wealth was its downfall as the conquistadors plundered riches to fill the coffers of the Spanish crown. Less well known but equally fascinating are the remains of earlier preceding civilisations such the Moche, Wari, Chavin and Paracas. This year I was fortunate to go on my travels again, so during October and November, packed my bags and visited this amazing country, my first time south of the equator. I travelled with a friendly group of 15 people.

Like most people our first contact with Peru is the capital, Lima, which is a massive urban sprawl of some 8 million people. The modern city was founded by Francisco Pisarro in 1535 but there are some remains of pre-Inca settlement such as the Huaca

Huallamarca a restored Maranga temple dating from about 200- 500AD or the recently excavated mud-brick temple of Huaca Juliana about 4th century AD. Many other ruins have already been swallowed up by the capital’s rapid expansion over recent years. We visit the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) a huge private collection held in a large vault in the suburbs of Lima, consisting of gold, silver, ceramic, stone, clothing and other artefacts belonging to pre- Spanish cultures. With a visit to the main town plaza you can see the contrasts of a modern cosmopolitan city with its historic Spanish colonial architecture, while five minutes around the corner some of the massive problems Peru is struggling with confronts you. Covering the hills that surround Lima are the pueblos jovenes or ‘young towns’, these shanty towns lack electricity, water and adequate sanitation. The thousands that live in these conditions scratch a living as best they can amongst high unemployment and poverty.

Heading south there’s an excursion to the Ballestras Islands an hours boat ride off the Paracus Peninsula. The rocky islands are home to hundreds of sealions basking in the sun while wheeling overhead are many species of sea bird including the guanay cormorant, the Peruvian booby and pelicans. Also seen was the odd penguin (lost from the Antarctic apparently) and a turkey vulture. The birds nest on the offshore islands in such numbers that their nitrogen-rich droppings (guano) collect in quantities large enough to be commercially exploited for fertiliser. This practice dates from at least Inca times. Continuing on down the Pan-American highway through fields of cotton and oranges to the flat and stony pampa of Nazca to view the mysterious lines. The patterns drawn on the plain are thought to date from the Paracas and Nazca period 900 BC to 600 AD, but this is inconclusive and still open to much debate. Theories for there purpose include an astronomical calendar, ritual walkways, appeals to the Gods and so on. They were made by removing the darker sun baked stones from the surface of the desert and piling them up on either sides of the lines, thus exposing the lighter coloured soil. A recent experiment by teachers and students using well-laid plans, geometry, wooden posts and rope drew a spiral in the way that the Nazcas are thought to have done it finishing the spiral in one morning We observed the lines from a (slightly bumpy) light- plane flight, the plain is covered in designs with many being overlapped and reused, some designs represent a variety of giant animals such as a lizard, monkey with an extravagantly curled tail or a condor with a 130 metre wingspan. Others are simple but perfect triangles, rectangles or straight lines running for several kilometres across the desert.

Back on terra-firma we drive to the Cemetery of Chauchilla, here excavated and preserved by the dry heat are the bones, skulls, mummies, pottery sherds and fragments of cloth dating back to the late Nazca period. The mummies sit crouched in their tombs open to the sun, wrapped in burial coats and other textiles, some of the heads have been deformed and elongated, considered a sign of prestige and beauty. Elsewhere bleached bones and artefacts are scattered on the surface as far as you could see.

Before turning inland we visit Puerto Inca, a sheltered bay once the port for Cusco – messages and fresh fish could be carried by teams of chasquis (runners) along an Inca road to the Imperial capital 240 kilometres away, within 24 hours. The Rio Pachitea runs into the bay which is surrounded by a rocky, sandy almost martian landscape, there were extensive ruins of the earlier settlement which we explored.

From the coast we head across the desert and climb to Arequipa (2325m above sea level) the main city of southern Peru. The place is overlooked by El Misti a spectacular snow-capped volcano, many of the city’s buildings date to colonial times, quite a few are built from a very light-coloured volcanic rock called ‘sillar’, the buildings dazzle in the sun earning Arequipa the nickname ‘the white city’. Amongst the Cathedral, churches and colonial houses is the Monastery of Santa Catalina, in fact it was a convent built in 1580 and eventually grew to occupy 20,000 sq m, a city within a city. At its height 450 people lived here (about a third nuns and the rest servants) funded by rich dowries. After about 3 centuries of this, the pope complained that Santa Catalan was more like a club than a convent, he sent Sister Josefa Cadena, a strict Dominican nun, to straighten things out. She arrived in 1871, sent all the rich dowries back to Europe, and freed all the servants and slaves, giving them the choice of staying as nuns or leaving. The complex was opened to the public in 1970 who are free to wander around the narrow twisting streets and tiny plazas, courtyards, cloisters and dwelling rooms. Arequipa has a history of earthquakes – many buildings have been destroyed over the years, one night we experienced a minor earth ‘tremor’ of around 15 seconds, no big deal in these parts but it’s enough to get your attention. A short flight takes us over the Andes to Juliaca which is bustling local town and railway junction, we arrive in the evening. The locals many in traditional dress are making their way home from an anniversary fiesta marking the towns foundation, by foot, bike, tricycle taxi and anything else that comes to hand, all loaded with market produce and various animals, birds and so forth. The local economy is mainly agricultural the vast plains around here are covered in small and large farmsteads. Early in the morning we drive to Lake Titicaca (3820m) at this altitude the air is thin, clear and freezing cold (it warms-up later). Our boat calls at several islands including one of the floating islands of the Uros people. The lives of the Uros are totally interwoven with the ‘totora reeds’ that grow in abundance in the shallows of the lake, their islands, homes and boats are made with the stuff Today, about 300 people live this lifestyle, but the attractions of shore life is eroding this small number. After a fleeting overnight stay at Puno, the lake’s major town, our next stop is to the site of Sillustani. The Colla tribe were a pre- Inca people living around Lake Titicaca, their dead were buried in funerary towers called ‘chullpas’ which can be seen in the Puno area, the most impressive of which can be seen at Sillustani. The towers are up to 12m high and made of massive coursed blocks, some of the towers are unfinished, carved but unplaced blocks and a ramp used to raise them to the correct height are other features to be seen. The site is partially encircled by Lake Umayo – making a serene and peaceful place.

Back at Juliaca our party boards a train heading north for Cusco, it has to edge out slowly as the daily market is in full swing with stalls crammed close to the tracks selling every conceivable goods. An 8 hour journey takes us across the dusty altiplano dotted with llama and alpaca, over the La Raya pass (4321m) and on through fertile valleys to Cusco.

The imperial capital was laid out in the rough shape of a puma probably in the 12th century by the first Inca, Manco Capac, the son of the sun. Today, leading off the picturesque central plaza with its fountains, great Cathedral, and Jesuit church of La Campania are narrow stepped streets which bear witness to the extraordinary skill of Inca
stonemasons – many are lined with precisely interlocked stonework which serves as the foundation for colonial and modern buildings. One of the most impressive structures would have been the Coricancha (Sun Temple) now forming the base of the church of Santa Domingo. This temple in the Inca period would have been lined with some 700 gold sheets, each weighing about 2kg. There were life-size gold and silver replicas of corn that were ceremonially ‘planted’ in agricultural rituals. Also reported were solid gold treasures such as altars, llamas and babies, as well as a replica of the sun. Within months of the arrival of the first conquistadors, this incredible wealth had all been melted down. Walking around today we admired the amazing architecture – tapering walls and closely fitted blocks forming chambers, doors, windows and niches. We also visit some sites overlooking Cusco, one, Sacayhuaman was a massive fortress – making- up the head of the puma mentioned above. Some areas were being excavated, finds included several mummies that were found in previous weeks.

After several days exploring the Sacred Valley, heartland of the Inca empire, we start walking the Inca Trail (or Inca Trial as some have put it). We spent four days the trail walking a distance of
about 44km (27 miles) walking up and down three high passes, the highest being Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4200m, in between the passes there was Peruvian Flat’ (nothing of the sort). At this altitude I found it very tough going, fortunately we were distracted by visiting sites, admiring the snow-capped scenery, inspecting the flora and fauna – giant cactuses, orchids, wild iris, geraniums which were visited by hummingbirds. The lower hills are lined with beans, onions, figs, tomatoes, pineapples and corn, often we made way for farmers or their children shepherding goats, cows and packhorses along the trek, passing their small crofts with chickens and pigs on the way. At night we camped, it was a bit cold but the clear air and lack of light gave a great view of the Milky Way. Constructing the trail itself was an amazing feat by the Incas, clearing the path, laying the stone and in some places tunnelling through and expanding natural fissures in the solid rock.

On the afternoon of the final day a short steep climb brings to the Sun Gate, in the distance a glorious panorama of Machu Picchu in sunshine surrounded by a wall of mountains, with Huayna Picchu, the steep peak towering over the monument, almost protecting it. It takes an hour to walk from the gate down to the site, Machu Picchu becomes bigger and bigger, it’s a surprisingly large site the promontory covered in stone buildings with agricultural terracing on the surrounding slopes before a sheer drop to the valley below. Returning early the next morning, it’s quiet and we have a guided tour amongst. the temples, houses, Royal Palace, ceremonial baths, tombs and many other buildings. Although known about by a handful of the local Quechua peasants it was Hiram Bingham who brought Machu Picchu to the world’s attention in 1911, since then many theories have been put forward for its construction, but nobody knows to this day why it was really built. But the exceptionally high quality of the stonework and the abundance of ornamental rather than practical sites, show that it must have been an important ceremonial centre.

Peru has had varying fortunes recently, political and civil unrest, high unemployment and heavy flooding due to the effects of El Nino. But the country has a great history and the people appear to be as friendly and cheerful as they can in difficult circumstances. It was a great place to visit.

Other Events

Harvey Sheldon’s series of Thursday night lectures resumes on January 27 2000, the subject is Recent Work on London’s Archaeology: Investigations and Interpretations. At the Institute of Archaeology, 7.00pm, fee £40/£20 concessions (10 lectures) or £5 on the door. Contact Anna Colloms, tel. 0171 631 6627′

27 Jan Heathrow and other West London Gravel Sites – John Lewis

3 Feb The Thames Foreshore – Mike Webber

10 Feb The London Amphitheatre – Nick Bateman 17 Feb Roman Cemeteries – Jenny Hall

24 Feb The Mithraeum and Fort Reconsidered – John Shepherd

2 Mar Archaeology of the Cray and Darenth Valleys – Brian Philp

9 Mar London’s Monasteries – Barney Sloane 16 Mar Saxons in the Strand – Bob Cowie

23 Mar Royal Palaces in London – David Wilkinson

30 Mar Archaeology of the Jubilee Line – James Drummond Murray

Exhibitions

St. Johns United Reform Church will be having an exhibition on

it’s foundation as St Augustines Presbyterian Church & New Barnet Congregational Church both in 1870, to their amalgamation – the creation

of St Johns & the rebuilding of the church; by means of written text, photographs, programmes, record books, plans and so forth. The opening will take place after morning service on Sunday 2nd January 2000 and will then be open on the following Saturdays between 10am to 4pm on 8, 15, 22, 29th of Jan. It will also be open on the following Sundays between lpm to 4pm on 2, 9, 16, 23, 30th Jan. After 30th Jan it will close.

You can still catch these exhibitions at the British Museum: Cracking codes – the Rosetta Stone and Decipherment, until 16th January. Gilded Dragons – buried treasures from China’s golden ages, £6.00/4.00 cons, until 20th February.

Other society’s lectures

6th January The Grand Union Canal – by Ken Moore, London Canal Museum, 7.30pm, Croydon Canal – by David Delaney, New Wharf Road, Kings Cross, Ni. £2.5011.25 cons

10th January

Barnet & District Local History Society, 3.00pm, Social History of Lighting – by Dr. A Lynch, Wesley Hall, Stapyton Road. Barnet.