EVOLUTION OF AN IRON AGE SETTLEMENT AT DEAN FARM, BISHOPS CLEEVE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK 1999 TO 2005. Centre of Archaeology Monograph Series; Volume one

This book is the first in a new archaeological book series by the Centre of Archaeology, Staffordshire University and presents the results of the archaeological investigations completed at Dean Farm in Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire between 1999 to 2005 (Ordnance Survey National Grid coordinates SO 95610 28195). A series of trial trenches (Nichols 1999) identified the presence of Iron Age pits and ditches across the site. This evidence was further enhanced in 2000 by a geophysical survey (conducted by GSB Prospection), with the results suggesting a complex array of anomalies were present across the southern part of the area which may represent the buried remains of a large enclosed settlement and other associated features. Open area excavation covering 1.6 hectares was recommended by the County Archaeologist, undertaken by the former field unit Birmingham Archaeology for John Samuels Archaeological Consultants (on behalf of Bovis Homes) during the summer of 2005

The Heart of Terror: A Forensic and Archaeological Assessment of the Old Gas Chambers at Treblinka

At the extermination camp at Treblinka in Poland, the Nazis murdered between 900,000 to one million people. When they abandoned the camp in 1943, they tried to hide the traces of their crimes. This resulted in the popular perception that the camp had been destroyed and no systematic attempt was made to locate the evidence of the crimes or to find the graves of the victims. However, this paper will outline how historical and archaeological research has demonstrated that a considerable amount of evidence from the camp does survive. The results of search for the first (old) gas chambers at Treblinka will be outlined and it will be demonstrated how, through the use of a range of interdisciplinary state-of-the-art techniques, a more accurate picture of the camp is emerging. The implications of this work for enhancing education, commemorative and visitor experiences will also be discussed

The GPR investigation of the Shakespeare family graves

As part of a multi‐disciplinary programme of archaeological investigation, GPR was used to investigate the Shakespeare family graves below the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, Warwickshire, England. Although William Shakespeare's place as perhaps one of the most famous individuals who has ever lived has been cemented in the annals of history, much of his life and death is still shrouded in mystery. As a result, a large number of myths and legends have grown up around his burial place. These included the suggestion of an unusually deep burial or the presence of a large family crypt beneath the chancel floor. A series of multi‐frequency surveys was carried out to establish the depth and structure of the graves and as much burial information as possible. Close survey (using a strategy developed and successfully applied in Westminster Abbey and other churches) was used in order to optimise the quality of patterning in the data. Within Holy Trinity, this strategy was validated by the detection of a known vault. The use of multiple frequencies was critical in this investigation in order both to detect the graves and also to establish information about the graves. Too low a frequency may result in non‐detection because of the relatively low target resolution whereas too high a frequency risks insufficient depth penetration. From this process a number of myths can now be discounted, including the presence of a large Shakespeare family vault or crypt. Instead, the GPR survey suggests that a simple, shallow, earth‐cut burial lies beneath William's tombstone. One story however concerning disturbance of William Shakespeare's grave in order to remove his skull does correspond with the evidence

Tormented Alderney: archaeological investigations of the Nazi labour and concentration camp of Sylt.

Following the evacuation of Alderney, a network of labour and SS concentration camps were built on British soil to house foreign labourers. Despite government-led investigations in 1945, knowledge concerning the history and architecture of these camps remained limited. This article reports on the findings of forensic archaeological investigations which sought to accurately map Sylt labour and concentration camp the for the first time using non-invasive methods and 3D reconstructive techniques. It also demonstrates how these findings have provided the opportunity – alongside historical sources – to examine the relationships between architecture, the landscape and the experiences of those housed there

An evaluation of community-led archaeology projects funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund: Two Case Studies

Community archaeology projects have gained popularity for many reasons. In the UK, professional archaeology has championed involving community volunteers in Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) supported archaeological projects. We review two HLF-supported community-led projects, including the positive and measurable outcomes in conjunction with the challenges that each presented. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working with community volunteers. Due to our direct responsibility for supervising the volunteers and all the archaeological aspects of these projects, we are able to analyse their success and delivery, and the benefits and drawbacks of using the HLF for project funding. This includes how they regulate access to funding, and how they evaluate the process. Finally, we examine commercial archaeological companies and the extent to which the HLF holds them accountable for outcomes, questioning how these outcomes feed into archaeological research frameworks and contribute to professional practice

Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the UNESCO Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (Cyprus)

In the framework of the IH-AT (Invisible Heritage Analysis and Technology) project, a cluster of churches ranging from the 11th to the 16th centuries, located in the Troodos Mountain range of Cyprus, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage monuments, were investigated using Non-Destructive-Techniques (NDT) (geophysical and topographic survey), 3D modelling and visualisation methods, contextualised and interpreted by art-historical and archaeological research. A geophysical survey, performed using a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), specifically aimed to confirm the presence or absence of buried features of archaeological interest at each of these sites, in particular, evidence of monastic complexes and buildings that used to surround preserved churches. This paper describes the preliminary results of this survey and some initial interpretations concerning what new information can be discerned about the now lost monastery complexes, in advance of future excavation

Multi-modal digital documentation and visualization of the unesco painted churches in troodos (cyprus)

In 1985, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the site “Painted Churches in the Troodos Region” of the Republic of Cyprus on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The latter included nine Byzantine and Post Byzantine Churches to which a tenth church was added in 2001. In the framework of the IH-AT project, all the churches and the premises in their proximities were analysed using a wide array of non-destructive digital methodologies coupled with more traditional art-historical studies. Image- and Range-based techniques were used to document all the morphological features of the buildings with the final goal of understanding their humble architecture. Additionally, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) was performed to investigate the presence of buried structures that, according to historical sources, were once surrounding the religious sites. For the exploitation and visualization of the extensive database by the scientific community and the public at large, a web portal comprised of reliable and efficient technology-ready tools have been developed. The proposed methodology was implemented to provide new insights on the churches’ architectural features; confirm the presence or absence of buried remains of archaeological interest; and help heritage professionals, with lack or minimal programming skills, to customize online visualizations of 3D interactive models

Archaeological signatures of landscape and settlement change on the Isle of Harris

Between 2004 and 2011, a programme of archaeological investigation by the University of Birmingham on the Isle of Harris, a distinctive island forming part of the Western Isles of Scotland, has allowed the archaeological remains of this enigmatic place to be further characterised and understood. Despite intensive archaeological interest in the archipelago for a number of decades, the Isle of Harris has been overlooked and only now are we beginning to identify the archaeological resource and make comparisons to the wealth of published data from islands such as the Uists, Barra and Lewis. This paper highlights some generic overall patterns of archaeological signatures on the Isle which has been identified through a range of archaeological methods including field walking, intrusive excavation, aerial reconnaissance, geophysical and topographical survey, and documentary research. Several key case studies will be introduced including upland shieling complexes and mulitperiod settlement sites on the west coast machair systems. The purpose of the paper is not to present a gazetteer of the results of the work to date, but to highlight some of the key findings with a view to demonstrating that the Isle of Harris is directly comparable with the archaeologically rich landscapes of the other islands