Fet t e rn e a r E x c a v a t ion Bosporan Kingdom Slievemore Mystery Aeria l - C a m

Past Horizons
Online Journal of Volunteer Archaeology and Training
March 2009

E xplo ring Ro c k - A r t i n M a l a y s i a
Issue 7
March 2009

Editors: Felicity Donohoe & Maggie Struckmeier

Layout: David Connolly & Maggie Struckmeier

Past Horizons
Traprain House
Luggate Burn
Haddington
East Lothian
EH41 4QA

Tel: +44 (0)1620 861643

Email: editor@pasthorizons.com
Find us on the web: www.pasthorizons.com 

Contributors:
Penny Dransart
J. R. Trigg
Nikolai Vinokurov
Sophie Mamattah
12 Artezian
John Sullivan An ongoing excavation of the fortified township of Artezian
Tatyana Van Loo in the Crimean peninsula. Focusing mainly on the era of the
Stuart Rathbone
Bosporan Kingdom, particularly the time of the war with the
Adam Stanford
Tim Phillips Romans of 44-45 AD where a wealth of finds has enabled the
Roberta Gilchrist archaeologists to build up a strong narrative for that time.
Barry Lewis

F ront cover: C o l o n i a l p e r i o d c o n t a c t a r t i n
t he Lenggong Va l l e y
P hotograph: B a r r y L e w i s

Note
Past Horizons can give no endorsement of any listed project or
guarantee the accuracy of the information supplied. The editors
accept no responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience
sustained by anyone using the resources contained within
this magazine and/or the websites mentioned herein. When
considering a project, be sure to contact the director with
any questions you might have about conditions, travel, health
issues, etc. Check for references from previous participants,

18 Slievemore - Excavating a Bronze Age Platform

seek advice where possible and select a project that will be of
the greatest benefit to you, the project and the team.

Achill Archaeological Field School began excavating what

All content is copyright and no reporduction
of text or images is allowed without prior looked like a roundhouse platform on the slopes of Slievemore
permission from the author. mountain. Stuart Rathbone discusses why he now thinks the
Past Horizons 2009 structure is not domestic and may have a more ritual purpose.

past horizons 2

30 Accessible, Inclusive Archaeology
How to make the study of archaeology
accessible to everyone. Reading University
leads the way in facing that challenge.
Contents
24 Low Level Aerial Photography
Adam Stanford discusses the archaeological
benefits of this method of photography.

8 Fetternear 34 Rock-Art Field School

The Scottish Episcopal Palaces Project Malaysia is the focus of this rock-art
has been excavating at Fetternear, field school which brings together
the summer palace of the mediaeval experts from around the world at the
Bishops of Aberdeen. forefront of research.

Reg u l a r s
5 Editorial 44 Interested In...
The addictive romance of archaeology. The study of rock-art.

6 News 45 Dig In
News stories from around the world. Archaeological volunteer digs and
field schools for 2009.
40 Dig Cook
More culinary escapades from Annie 46 Profile
Evans. Archaeological photographer Adam
Stanford.
42 Review
Past Horizons reviews the Festival of 47 Fun Page
Archaeology in Cardiff.
3 past horizons
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whs 4inch wood handled tr owel tool r olls

whs 4inch soft handled tr owel dr afting film
t yzack leaf & square r otring mechanical pencils
t yzack tr owel & square blundell harling scale ruler
stanle y br a ss plumb bob japanese pot tery combs
stanle y aluminium line le vel finds bags
sm all tools set t y vek l abels
stanle y powerwinder m a sking tape
stanle y mea suring tapes indelible m arkers

SPEAR &
JACKSON Tyzack

past horizons 4
 N ames to conjure w i th...

editorial
Each time I collect and update the field schools and volunteer
opportunities for Past Horizons I become enthralled all over again
by the breadth of archaeological activity happening around the
world. Names such as Easter Island, Lake Titicaca, Pompeii, the
Amazon and the Western Sahara, to name but a few, conjure images
in my head that make me wish I was there in the midst of it all.

I experience similar feelings when articles arrive for this magazine. Although living here in
the present, I am also transported back in time where I can imagine the lives of the people who
once lived there. One article that inspired such thoughts is Artezian (page 12) which concerns
the Bosporan Kingdom in the Crimea, southern Ukraine. After receiving the translation
from Russian into English the scene was set and I became immersed in the story to such an
extent that I felt I was standing on the ramparts of the fortified township, looking out over the
grasslands of the Crimean steppe and across the sea of Azov.

Another article arrives, this time from the other side of the world, and this soon has me
fighting my way through tropical jungle to discover previously-unknown rock-art in Malaysia.
World Rock-Art, Landscapes and Creativity (page 34) describes an opportunity to learn about
non-invasive recording techniques, research principles and conservation issues both in the
classroom and out in the field. The scientific study of rock-art is gaining serious attention within
archaeology and brings with it the real chance for adventure. Invariably new discoveries are
to be found in remote and difficult terrain, and there are projects underway around the world
beginning to map some of these paces in a more systematic way. This will enable researchers
to look at artistic and stylistic similarities that may provide clues about migration and cultural
interaction of the many tribal groups who created this art.

I sometimes get emails from people describing their experiences of actually signing up for an
excavation or field school. In fact some describe their first dig as a life-changing experience;
others see it as a chance to learn, meet new people and have a good holiday all at the same
time. It can be difficult to take that step if you have never done it before but be warned:
archaeology can be addictive and you may find yourself looking at the world with new eyes.

So if you have ever dreamed of following in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, wanted
to travel ‘from here to Timbuktu’, longed to live amongst Mongolian nomads or negotiate
Amazonian rapids in a reed boat whilst discovering lost civilisations along the way, then these
adventures are all out there for the taking.

What are you waiting for?

To find a project go to: http://www.pasthorizons.com/worldprojects 

Maggie Struckmeier

Maggie Struckmeier
editor@pasthorizons.com 

5 past horizons
 m a s s a z t e c g r av e f o u nd in m e x ico cit y

O
n 10 February 2009, an exc a v a t i o n a t a
news pyramid in Mexico City’s T l a t e l o l c o
square revealed a mass gra v e w i t h t h e
remains of 49 adults. The unexpecte d d i s c o v e r y
was made by a team led by Salvad o r G u i l l i e m
from the Mexican government’s a r c h a e o l o g y
institute, and they believe the bodies m a y b e s o m e
of those who fought Hernan Cortes, t h e S p a n i s h
conquistador and leader of the ex p e d i t i o n t o
Mexico that caused the fall of the Az t e c e m p i r e .

One of the interesting features of t h e b u r i a l s

was the presence of copper necklac e s a n d b o n e
buttons from pre-Hispanic cultures. T h e b u r i a l s
w e re most likely ordered by the Spanish overlords as some of the f e a t u r e s a r e
C h ristian in nature, but were probably carried out by the Aztecs the m s e l v e s .

L a rge scale deaths at the hands of the conquistadors may explain the n e e d f o r t h e
m a ss grave. However, one other possible explanation for the size o f t h e g r a v e
m a y be disease, which devastated large numbers of the indigenous p o p u l a t i o n
b e t ween 1545 and 1546. The team is exploring both possibilities.

R e ad the full story: http ://tinyurl.com/azykyq 

If you are viewing this magazine on SCRIBD, then

you will not be able to see the video.

You can view it on either the full flip page version

of the magazine:

www.pasthorizons.com/magazine
OR: on our dedicated video website:
http://www.pasthorizons.tv/tv/view/302/mexico-city-
s-tlatelolco-square-aztec-burials/

past horizons 6
 Ar chaeologists une a rt h s tat u e s of a ph a r a oh
Two giant anchors have been found which could shed light on a m o n u m e n t a l
e vent in Vietnamese hi story, the Great Battle of Bach Dang, when t h e Tr a n
dynasty defeated invading Yuan Mongolian troops in 1288.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/amr8g5 

Ar chaeologists dat e e a r l ie s t k now n d om e s t ic at e d horse s

Archaeologists date earlie s t k n o w n d o m e s t i c a t e d h o r s e s . A n i n t e r n a t i o n a l t e a m o f
archaeologists has dated t h e e a r l i e s t k n o w n e v i d e n c e o f h o r s e s b e i n g d o m e s t i c a t e d
by humans back to the Bo t a i C u l t u r e o f K a z a k h s t a n a r o u n d 5 , 5 0 0 y e a r s a g o
Read more: http://tinyurl . c o m / d 9 m 8 4 a 

Olduvai, e volution a nd Da rw in
I nterview with David H. Koch by Archaeology Magazine, discussi n g h i s n e w
h all at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, wher e e v i d e n c e
o f six million years of human evolution will be part of an interact i v e d i s p l a y.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/bqvx5j 

Sm all statue of Tuta nk h a m e n f o u nd in nort he r n I r a q

A Kurdish archaeological expedition recently announced it had fo u n d a
s mall statue of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen in nort h e r n
I raq.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/bsbv9o 

Wreckage of HMS V ictory ’s pr e de c e s s or di s cov e r e d

T he world’s most successful marine treasure hunters, Odyssey Ma r i n e
E xploration, yesterday unveiled evidence that they had found HM S Vi c t o r y,
t he most advanced fighting ship of its time.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/dgsruz 

Hobbit feud: scient i s ts a r g u e ov e r my s t e r io u s b one s

T he latest chapter of this story is revealed in the Journal of Huma n
E volution which boasts four reports concerning the hobbits, five y e a r s a f t e r
t heir discovery was disclosed to the world.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/cqyqbo 

Anchors m ay shed l ig h t on fa m o u s bat t l e

Two giant anchors have been found which could shed light on a m o n u m e n t a l
e vent in Vietnamese history, the Great Battle of Bach Dang, when t h e Tr a n
d ynasty defeated invad ing Yuan Mongolian troops in 1288.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/amr8g5 

For more news stories that are updated constantly, try:

Past Horizons News Blog: http://pasthorizons.wordpress.com/category/news-and-articles 
Stonepages Weekly News and Podcast: http://www.stonepages.com/news 
CBA Archaeology News Feed: http://www.britarch.ac.uk/newsfeed 
Archaeologica: http://www.archaeologica.org/NewsPage.htm 

7 past horizons
Above : G e n e r a l v i e w o f F e t t e r n e a r H o u s e
Right: T h e I H S M R A s t o n e a b o v e C o u n t P a t r i c k Leslie and Mary Irvine of Drum’s monograms

past horizons 8
 Fetternear

A S c o t t i s h E p i s c o p a l Pa l a c e
im ages & te xt
by p. dr ansart & j.r.trigg

S
i n c e 1 9 9 5 a m a j o r p a r t o f our research for the Scottish Episcopal Palaces
P r o j e c t ( S E P P ) h a s f o c used on Fetternear, the summer palace of the
m e d i a ev a l b i s h o p s o f A b erdeen, near Kemnay in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
In a d d i t i o n t o e c c l e s i a s t i c a l duties, these bishops built not only their own
magn i f i c e n t p a l a c e s a n d c a s t l e s , but the cathedrals, too, and SEPP aims to explore
the r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e t w e e n t h e s e two architectural areas.
I n a n e x c a v a t i o n carried out at the end of the had not been recognised as a mo a t e d s i t e . I n
1 9 t h c e n t u r y, a n Aberdeen architect reported Scotland, such sites have receiv e d r e l a t i v e l y
t h a t f i n e a r c h itectural moulding had been little archaeological attention, m a k i n g o u r
d i s c o v e r e d a t Fetternear, which he said was work particularly significant. In a d d i t i o n , w e
o f a f i n e r q u a l ity than the late 13th century also found the remains of a woo d e n p a l i s a d e
s t o n e w o r k a t St Machar ’s cathedral, Old that once enclosed the area withi n t h e m o a t .
A b e r d e e n . W h en we started our work we
r e d i s c o v e r e d t he 19th century dig, but no As well as investigating the a r c h i t e c t u r a l
e v i d e n c e f o r t h e fine mouldings. However, we projects instigated by the bisho p s , w e h a v e
u n e xp e c t e d l y f ound good evidence for a moat explored their domestic arrangem e n t s . I n t h e
t h a t s u r r o u n d e d the palace in the 14th century: south-western sector of the site w e l o c a t e d
u n t i l w e r e c o v e red this information, Fetternear the late 13th – early 14th centu r y k i t c h e n s .

continued 

9 past horizons
Excava t i o n o f t h e s ou t h e r n a r m o f t h e m o a t d u r i ng 2007 View of the mediaeval bread oven

T h e s e w e r e r e p resented by a concentration of countries. We have excavated po t t e r y s h e r d s

i r o n k n i v e s a s well as of animal bones, most from the north of England, G e r m a n y a n d
o f w h i c h w e r e cattle and sheep. There was France, and there is also evidenc e f o r t i m b e r
a s e r i e s o f h e arths and an originating from t h e B a l t i c
o v e n , p r o b a b l y for baking which has been dated
b r e a d . T h e p o t t ery consisted dendrochronolo g i c a l l y t o c .
o f f r a g m e n t s of locally- 1357.
p r o d u c e d j u g s, some of
w h i c h h a d b e e n heated. As Although our w o r k h a s
i s c o m m o n i n castle sites, focused on the m e d i a e v a l
t h e k i t c h e n s were situated period, we have also
i n a p e r i p h e r a l corner of the revealed an ar e a o f l o n g -
complex. term prehistori c o c c u p a t i o n
and a rich post- R e f o r m a t i o n
T h e d a t i n g o f the kitchen history. Th e r e l i g i o u s
quarters c o i ncides with A rare North Italian marbled
significance of t h e s i t e d i d
t h e b i s h o p r i c s of two men lion head costrel not end with th e t r a n s f e r o f
w h o w e r e n o t ed for their the land into the h a n d s o f t h e
a r c h i t e c t u r a l a chievements. Leslie family o f B a l q u h a i n ,
H e n ry C h e y n e was bishop the neighbour i n g e s t a t e .
d u r i n g t h e t r oubled years The Leslies we r e p r o m i n e n t
o f S c o t l a n d ’s first War of Catholic supp o r t e r s w h o ,
I n d e p e n d e n c e with England. History recalls over time, became antiquarians an d l a i d a g r e a t
B i s h o p H e n r y ’s military career because emphasis on the estate’s religio u s h e r i t a g e .
E d w a r d I o f E n g land ordered him to accompany One of the most striking finds fro m t h e L e s l i e
t h e E a r l o f M a r to garrison Urquhart Castle occupation is part of a North Ita l i a n m a r b l e d
o n L o c h N e s s . Alexander de Kininmund I lion head costrel, a 17th-centu r y p i l g r i m ’s
s u c c e e d e d B i s hop Henry in 1329. He had a flask.
d i s t i n g u i s h e d career in the church and had
f o r m e d p a r t o f the delegation that took the The building the visitor no w s e e s o n
D e c l a r a t i o n o f Arbroath to Pope John XXII in approaching the site dates large l y f r o m t h e
Av i g n o n . 16th to 19th centuries; some part s n o t v i s i b l e
from the road may date from t h e b i s h o p ’s
T h e s e b i s h o p s and their successors were no palace. The façade bears the co a t o f a r m s ,
s t r a n g e r s t o i n teraction with other European dated 1693, of Count Patrick Le s l i e a n d h i s

past horizons 10
Detai l o f t h e t i m b e r p a l i s a d e u n d e r e x c a v a t i o n in 2006 An oak sill beam and beam slot

s e c o n d w i f e , Mary Irvine of Drum. Higher

u p t h e w a l l a b ove this panel are two stones, Get Inv olv ed
o n e i n c i s e d w i th Count Patrick’s and Mary’s SEPP invites volunteers to join us for the
m o n o g r a m s , a n d the other incorporates those fifteenth field season at Fetternear from
o f J e s u s a n d Mary, IHS and MRA. This dual 29 June to 24 July, 2009.
r e l i g i o u s i n s c r iption, which is paralleled at Previous experience is not required as training
B a l q u h a i n , i s h ighly unusual in Scotland but can be provided on site.
e x a m p l e s a r e k nown in continental Europe.
Many of our volunteers stay in the campsite next
O u r f i f t e e n t h excavation season will take to Fetternear, but we can put you in touch with
people offering other types of accommodation
p l a c e i n J u l y 2 009 and study of the finds is nearby.
o n g oi n g , b u t o f particular interest is the glass
a s s e m b l a g e , w hich is the largest to have been There is no charge for participation or for on-site
e x c a v a t e d f r o m a site in Scotland. Aims for accommodation.
t h e f o r t h c o m i n g excavation season include
Further information is available from Dr. Penny
f u r t h e r i n v e s t i gation of the moat in an area
Dransart at: p.dransart@lamp.ac.uk
t h a t w a s p r o d u cing evidence in 2008 for in
s i t u w o o d e n s t r uctures.

P e n n y D r a n s a r t is director of SEPP and is

R e a d e r i n A rchaeology and Anthropology
a t t h e U n i v e r s ity of Wales, Lampeter. Jonty
Tr i g g t e a c h e s archaeology at the University
o f L i v e r p o o l a nd is researching a PhD at
t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Glasgow. SEPP wishes to
a c k n o w l e d g e t h e donation of six WHS trowels
b y P a s t H o r i z o ns in 2008, which were put to
g o o d u s e b y m e mbers of the volunteer team.

The findings of previous seasons’ fieldwork is

available at:
http://www.lamp.ac.u k / a r c h a n t h / s t a ff / d r a n s a r t / f e t t e r n e a r. h tm 
Volunteers from North America during the 2008 season

11 past horizons
Artezian

Buildin g s i n t h e c e n t r a l a re a o f t h e c i t a d e l w h i c h date to after the Bosporan/Roman war of 44 - 45 AD

past horizons 12

Poland
Excavat io n
on t he
Slovakia
Cr imean
Peninsula Hungary
photogr aphs a nd te xt by
pr of es sor nik ol ai vinokur ov
A
r t e z i a n l i es cl os e to th e A z o v S e a i n t h e C r i m e a n P e n i n su l a o f S o ut h e a s te rn U k ra i n e,
a p i c t ur esq ue r egi o n o f s tep p e g r a s s l a nd s , w i n d i n g r i v e r s , s p r i n g s a nd re s er vo i r s ,
a b un d a nt in f is h an d w i l d b i r d s. H e r e , f o r t h e p a s t 2 2 y e a r s , a R us s o -Cr i mea n
arc ha e o l og i c a l exp edi ti on has b e en ex c a v a t i n g t he f or t i f i e d s e t t l e m e n t o f Ar t e z i an al o n g w i t h
a t ea m o f i nt e r nat i o nal v o lu n t eers .
Th ere ha s b e e n a h uman p r esen ce he r e s in c e
Preh i s t o r i c t i m es and th e lan d s cape a s w e s e e
it no w h a s c h a n g ed ver y li t tl e s i n ce th e n , w i t h
cha in s o f B r o nze A g e b arro w s ( sec o nd a n d
thi rd m i l l e nn i u m BC ) al ig ned w it h d ir t r o a d s
and t r a c ks c on ne cti n g th e co as t al r e g i o n s
wit h t h e m o r e remo te i n t eri or o f t he K e r c h
pen in s ul a .
B y th e f i f t h c e n tu ry B C, w it h th e fou n d a t i o n
of th e B os p o r a n k in gd o m, th is area b e c a m e
an i m p o r t a n t e co n omi c and st rat eg i c b a s e
of Im p e r i a l po w er, co l on i sed b y m i l i ta r y
se tt le r s. Th e l arg er s et tl emen ts o c c u pi e d
comm a n di ng e l ev ati o n s, id e al fo r d e f e n si b l e
fo rtif i e d t own s r equ i ri n g a cl ear l in e o f si t e
and c o m m un i c a ti on t o t h e ot h er reg i o n s o f
the B o s po r a n s tat e. S it u at ed in t h e m i dd l e
of th i s t e r r i t o r y an d co veri n g ap prox i m a t e l y
se ve n h e c t a r e s A rte zian si ts h i gh ab ov e t h e
su rro u n d i n g l a nd sca p e w el l pr o t ected b y t h e
nat ur a l t e r r a i n .
An a r e a o f 8 0 0 0 s qu are m etres h a s b e e n
exc av a t e d s o f a r an d ar ch aeo lo g i call y, t h e s it e
con ta i n s a c o m pl ex s t rati gr aph y t h at r e a c h e s
to a d e p t h o f a ro un d si x met res and st r e t c h e s
bac k o v e r t h ou san ds of y ears. H o we v e r,
the m o s t i n f o r ma ti ve lay er i s t he b u r nt o n e
whi c h r e p r e s e nt s t h e n ear d est ru cti o n o f t he
se tt le m e n t a t t he t im e of t h e Bo s po ron / R o m a n
war o f 44 - 4 5 AD . Lyin g 1 .2 0 m et res b e ne a t h
the s ur f a c e , i t co n t ain s a w ealt h o f fi n d s s u c h
13
UKRAINE
Belarus
Kiev
UKRAINE
Russia
Moldova
Romania
Kerch
ARTEZIAN
Black Sea
a s h u n d r e d s o f t e r r a c o t t a f i g uri n e s (m an y
c o m p l e t e ) , t h o u sa n d s o f c oi n s a n d d o me st i c
u t e n s i l s , a n d t he r e m a i ns o f w e a p o n s b el o n g i n g
to the defenders of the fortress.
I t is no t c l e a r wh a t t h i s a n c i e n t f or t i fi c at i o n
w a s o r i g i n a ll y c a l l e d b ut s o me h is t o r ic a l
r e s e a r c h e r s b e l i e v e t h i s m a y h a ve b ee n
P a r os t a , m e n t io n e d b y t h e R o m a n au t h o r P l in y
a n d t h e G r e e k g e o g r a p he r P t o l e my. Pa ro s t a ,
w h e n t r a n s l a t e d f r o m a n c i e n t P er s ia n , me an s
‘ s t a n d i n g a t t h e f r o n t’ a n d f r o m I n d o- A ry a n
a s ‘ s i t u a t e d b y t h e m ou t h o f a r i ve r b y t h e
p o r t ’ . C e r ta in l y i t s l oc a ti o n s u gg es t s th a t i t
w a s o n t h e f r o nt l i n e o f a c o m p l ex s y s t em o f
f o r t i f i c a t i o n s e nc i r c l e d b y b a n ks an d d i t c he s
g u a r d i n g th e v i t a l l y i m p or t a n t c e n t re s o f t h e
B os p o r a n k i n gd o m f r om a t t a c k by mar au d i n g
n o m a d s f r o m t h e s t e p p e . I t w o ul d a ls o h a v e
b e e n a n i d e a l pl a c e t o e x e r t c on t r o l o v er
t h e s u r r o u nd i n g r e g i o ns , ho u s i ng t h e ki n g ’s
g o v e r n o r, a m i l i t a r y g a r r i s o n , t a x c ol l e ct o r s
a n d m e r c ha n t s .
T h e f o r t i f i e d s e t t l e m e n t i s l a id o ut i n
a r e c t i l i n e a r p l a n w i t h t he c en t ra l a re a
c o n t a i n i ng t h e c i t a d e l. A r o un d th e e d g es ar e
a n c i e n t a l t a r s t h a t a r e n o w r e p r e s en t e d b y fo u r
a s h m o u n d s . T h r ou g h o u t it s 1 2 0 0- y ea r h i s t or y
t h e f o r t r e s s a p p e a r s to h a v e b e e n r ep e at e dl y
b u r n t d o wn du r i n g a t t a c k s a n d d a mag e d b y
p o w e r f u l e a r t h qu a k e s , b u t w a s a l wa y s r e- b ui l t
o r r e pa i r e d s o o n a f t e r.
continued 
past horizons
Remai n s o f t h e o n e o f t he c it ad e l to we r s da ti ng f rom the Structure forming part of the regular planning
second h a l f o f t h e f i r s t c e nt ur y A D

T h e c i t a d e l c onsists of mighty rectangular When combined with the richness a n d v a r i e t y

towers and walls constructed from large, rough- of the excavated finds and the q u a l i t y o f t h e
h e w n s t o n e b l o cks dating from the turn of the architecture, there is clear evide n c e t h a t t h e
f i r s t c e n t u r y B C to the first century AD. The inhabitants had attained a good s t a n d a r d o f
t o w e r s a r e n o t able for their mathematically living. The business and domes t i c p r e m i s e s
e x a c t i n g c o n s t ruction designed to provide grouped together in a regular a r r a n g e m e n t
p r o t e c t i o n a g a i nst earthquake damage. The along the paved streets had ren d e r e d w a l l s
f o r t r e s s i t s e l f was surrounded by a ditch built of stone and adobe with t i l e d r o o f s .
( t h r e e t o f i v e metres deep The residenti a l b u i l d i n g s
a n d u p t o 1 2 m etres wide) contained water and
w h i c h w a s p a r t ially faced sewerage drainage
One of the rulers in
w i t h s t o n e . A s ubterranean this period wa s a might y systems, and some
drainage system consisting adversary of R ome, houses conta i n e d m a r b l e
o f s q u a r e m a s o nry blocks the King of Pontus, classical architectural
w a s u s e d t o c o nduct water Mithridates VI Eupator detailing. Th e o c c u p a n t s
Dionysus.
a w a y f r o m t he ditch. had spaciou s g r a n a r i e s
Wi t h i n t h e w alls of the and large w i n e - m a k i n g
c i t a d e l , f o u r wells, with premises with semi-
a d e p t h o f u p to 15 metres, have now been basement areas and vessels dug i n t o t h e f l o o r
e x c a v a t e d , t h r ee of which are faced with for wine storage. The populati o n w a s a l s o
t i m b e r a n d o n e with stone. occupied in cattle rearing, poul t r y f a r m i n g ,
hunting and fishing, pottery m a n u f a c t u r e ,
O n e o f t h e r u l e rs in this period was a mighty weaving, copper smelting, iron w o r k a n d
a d v e r s a r y o f Rome, the King of Pontus, glass blowing. In the hinterlan d a r e a t h e r e
M i t hr i d a t e s V I Eupator Dionysus. The lower is evidence of agriculture sub d i v i s i o n s ,
f l o o r s o f t h e citadel housed impressive including ancient vineyards, f a r m s t e a d s
b a r r a c k s d a t i n g from this period and these and vegetable plots. Also, still v i s i b l e a r e
g r a n d b u i l d i n g s, situated on several terraces, a number of quarries for the e x t r a c t i o n o f
w e r e e x t r e m e l y well planned. The walls building materials.
w e r e c o n s t r u c t ed of a chequerboard pattern
c o n s i s t i n g o f l a rge blocks with smaller stones The settlement’s necropolis oc c u p i e s o v e r
p a c k e d i n b e t w een, an unusual feature in the 15 hectares of which around 3 0 0 0 s q u a r e
n o r t h e r n B l a c k sea region. metres have been excavated. T h i s c o n s i s t s

past horizons 14
o f a p p r o x i m a t e ly 400 burials as well as seven The recovery of weapons, the r e m n a n t s o f
m o n u m e n t a l b arrows with stone vaults for metal armour and the war wounds o f t h e b u r i e d
t h e w e a l t h y e lite. The dead were buried testify to the existence of a stro n g m i l i t a r y
i n co ff i n s o r sarcophagi, decorated with presence including a cavalry c o n t i n g e n t
p a i n t e d g y p s u m mouldings, and placed in within the population. Statuett e s o f s t a t i c
t h e g r a v e s w e r e sets of red and galloping h o r s e m e n ,
l a c q u e r a n d glass wares, images on gra v e s i n t h e
s u c h a s d i s hes, bowls, strata of the fir s t c e n t u r i e s
j u g s , g o b l e t s , embalming AD, the buria l o f h o r s e s
v e s s e l s a n d s mall phials in the necro p o l i s , t h e
f o r p r e c i o u s fragrances. presence of go o d s t a b l i n g
T h e b u r i a l s o f women and and the large n u m b e r o f
c h i l d r e n c o n t a ined beads, horse bones fo u n d i n t h e
b r o n z e b r a c e l e ts, earrings other strata pa i n t a v e r y
a n d r i n g s , w h i le the adult clear picture o f t h i s .
m a l e s w e r e buried with
daggers, s w o rds, arrow Aside from t h e m i l i t a r y
t i p s a n d m e t a l fittings for evidence it also appears that
c l o t h i n g a n d equipment. the inhabitants e n j o y e d a
A l s o e x c a v a t ed in the good level of ed u c a t i o n a n d
n e c r o p o l i s w e r e the burials cultural contin u i t y, f o r t h e
o f h o r s e s a n d d ogs. Horses settlement con t a i n s m a n y
G l a s s wa re grave goods
w e r e b u r i e d w i th iron curb thousands of e x a m p l e s o f
c h a i n s a n d b u c kles, forming graffiti and i n s c r i p t i o n s
p a r t o f t h e b r i dle and harness. Se veral of using the Greek alphabet with abbr e v i a t i o n s o f
t h e m h a d t r a c es of serious battle wounds Greek words and names. The mate r i a l c u l t u r e
i n c u r r e d d u r i n g their lives which appeared to of the period is also Greek in a p p e a r a n c e
h a v e s u c c e s s f u lly healed. showing very little barbarian infl u e n c e .
continued 

Ceram i c s f o u n d w i t h i n t h e n e c ro p o l i s b u r i a l s

15 past horizons
 fi nd out more about the Bosporan Kingdom

Th e D a n i s h N a t i o n a l R e s e a r c h F o u n d a t i o n ’s C e n t r e f o r B l a c k
Se a S t u d i e s p r o v i d e s i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t c u r r e n t r e s e a r c h a n d
inc l u d e s a g o o d i n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e B o s p o r a n K i n g d o m a t :
htt p : / / w w w. p o n t o s . dk

Exca v a t i o n s i n t h e s o u t h e r n a re a re v e a l i n g t h e regular plan structures dating to the 1st century AD

T h i s l o n g p e r i od of relative stability was to

c o m e t o a n e n d , for around the fourth century
A D t h e r e w a s a notable reduction in the
s i z e o f t h e s e t tlement’s population and the
Get In v olv ed
s i t e o f A r t e z i a n fell into neglect. This was The Artezian Archaeological Expedition
d u e t o w o r s e n ing environmental conditions invites both professionals and amateur s f rom
a n d m i l i t a r y upheavals across the region, all over the world to take part in the s ummer
2009 excavations.
e v e n t u a l l y l e a ding to the extinction of the
B o s p o r a n s t a t e hood system. All excavation activities are supervised by
qualified archaeologists who guide, ins truct
F r o m o u t o f t h e steppe Khazars and Alans then and explain the work to volunteers and
a p p e a r e d . L i v i ng in yurts and small circular students.
a d o be h o u s e s with cattle enclosures, their
Professionals from a wide range of
r e l i g i o n a n d l a nguage was entirely different to archaeological and historical backgrounds
t h a t o f t h e i r p r edecessors, and so marked the are also welcome, as is anyone interested in
b e g i n n i n g o f a new way of life in the region. carrying out their own research.

Cost: €50 per day

P ro f e s s o r N i k o lai Vinokurov of Moscow State
Dates: 10 July - 25 August, 2009
P e d a g o g i c a l U niversity has been the director
o f t h e A r t e z i a n expedition since 1988, and During excavations, the expedition’s camp is
h a s c a r r i e d o ut excavations on the site in located in the Crimean steppe. All volunteers
c o - o p e r a t i o n with the Crimean Branch of are expected to bring along tents and s leeping
bags to accommodate themselves whe n out in
t h e I n s t i t u t e o f Archaeology of the National
the field.
S c i e n c e A c a d e my, Ukraine.
For more information please contact Sergei
O r i gi n a l t e x t translated from the Russian Boriskin at: sboriskin15@yandex.ru
b y S o p h i e M amattah, John Sullivan and
Ta t y a n a Va n L oo.

past horizons 16
 Advertising Feature

NORTH PENNINES ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED &

NORTH PENNINES HERITAGE TRUST EDUCATION SERVICE

The 2009 Archaeological Fieldschool run by North Pennines Archaeology Limited and North
Pennines Heritage Trust Education Service is due to commence on the 1st June, running through to
the 2nd August 2009. 2009's Field School will continue to investigate the Jacobean Hall and Service
Range at Dilston Castle (continued from 2007 and 2008 seasons), Northumberland.

The project aims to provide archaeology students, and prospective entrants into archaeology courses
at university, the opportunity to gain valuable fieldwork experience by participating in the project.

Skills available to be taught are:

 Topographical Surveying Techniques
 Excavation Techniques
 Archaeological Planning Techniques
 Environmental and Finds Processing Techniques
 Building Recording Techniques
 Computer Aided Drawing (Digitising)
 Geophysical Surveying Techniques

Weekend events are planned throughout the season and include underground mine trips and field
excursions.

Accommodation provided at Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre Bunkhouse

Tuition and Supervision, Advice and Training

Guided underground trips and trips to other sites of interest.

Cost: £15/day for tuition; £70/week for accommodation.

Fieldschool runs from 1st June-2nd August 2009

Contact: Andrew Wardlaw on 01434 382294 or e-mail: fieldschool@nparchaeology.co.uk
Or visit the website http://fieldschool.nparchaeology.co.uk

17 past horizons
 Slievemore
Excavating a Bronze Age Platform

by stuart r athbone

I
n 2 0 0 8 e x c a vations began on what was believed to be a roundhouse platform at A c h i l l I s l a n d ,
We s t I r e l a n d. In fact, what Achill Archaeological Field School revealed was t h e r e m a i n s
o f a s u b s t a ntial, stone-built, circular structure thought to date from the Ear l y o r M i d d l e
B r o nz e A g e . S o now that a domestic structure seemed unlikely, what was its intend e d f u n c t i o n ?

R o u n d h o u s e 1 is one of a pair o f circular structures there is a curvilinea r p r e - b o g f i e l d

s t r u c t u r e s l o c ated 50m apart on the 150m
c o n t o u r o n t h e southern slopes of Slievemore
M o u n t a i n . P r i or to investigation the site
a p p e a r e d a s a level circular platform, with
a s li g h t l y d i s hed interior and the top of a
c i r c u l a r s t o n e wall visible in places around the
p e r i m e t e r.
W h i l s t t h e i n t e rior seemed a little unimpressive,
t h e v i e w f r o m down slope was more dramatic
a s t h e s c a l e o f the curving wall was clearly
a p p a r e n t . T h e structure is built on steeply-
s l o pi n g g r o u n d overlooking the va lley floor
f a r b e l o w, a n d equidistant between the two
wall running up the mountain, a p p a r e n t l y p a r t
of a field system that divides th e s o u t h e r n s i d e
of Slievemore into a series of l o n g s t r i p s .
A total of six trenches were ex c a v a t e d a c r o s s
the site and a complicated and m o n u m e n t a l l y
proportioned structure has been r e v e a l e d . T h e
structure is roughly circular in p l a n w i t h a n
external diameter of approxima t e l y 11 m . I t i s
defined by a substantial stone w a l l a n d h a s a n
entrance at the south east. Th e s o u t h e r n a r c
of the wall is particularly co m p l i c a t e d a n d
consists of numerous compone n t s . T h e o u t e r
perimeter of the wall is define d b y a r i n g o f

View to t h e s o u t h w e s t f ro m a b o v e R o u n d h o u s e 1 with Deserted Village structures visible in the background

past horizons 18
 The southern wall of Roundhouse 1

s u b s t a n t i a l k e r bstones behind which i s a large
d r y st o n e w a l l t hat stands up to 1.7m high and
i s u p t o 2 . 2 m wide. The internal edge of the
w a l l i s a l s o d e f ined by a second ring of large
k e r b s t o n e s . T h e top of the wall is wide and
l e v e l a n d a v ertically-sided, flat-bottomed
t r e n c h r u n s t h r ough the middle of it which was
0 . 5 m w i d e a n d 0.7m deep where investigated.
T h e s l o t c o n t a i ned a loose sandy clay fill with
some charcoal.
the inner and outer rings of ker b s t o n e s h a d
fallen away from the wall, but as t h e w a l l h a d
not subsequently collapsed it is su s p e c t e d t h a t
the kerbstones were not actively r e t a i n i n g t h e
wall.
continued 

T h e k e r b s t o n e s, of varying sizes, included

s o m e v e r y l a rge boulders. Sections of both
Slievemore
Ireland
Achill
Island Castlebar

Roundhouse 1
Roundhouse 2

North

Deserted Village

19 past horizons

T h e w a l l a t t h e north was generally similar in
c o n s t r u c t i o n , b ut was shorter and n arrower.
I t a g a i n c o n s i sted of internal and external
r i n g s o f k e r b s t ones, but with a rubble core,
r e t a i n e d b y d r y stone facing rather than the
w e l l c o u r s e d s t one work seen at the south.
T h e r e i s n o c o ntinuation of the central slot
f e a t u r e a r o u n d the north of the build ing. The
n o r t h e r n w a l l is approximately 1.4m wide
a n d 0 . 8 m h i g h . A small exploratory trench
Detail o f t h e s o u t h e rn w a l l
past horizons
Hearth and postholes in the centre of the structure
was placed over the wall at the w e s t o f t h e
structure where there was a sugge s t i o n t h a t a n
entrance may have been located. T h i s t r e n c h
did not reveal the full width of t h e w a l l b u t
showed that the entrance was a s e c o n d a r y
feature relating to the use of the s t r u c t u r e a s
an animal pen in the Early Mod e r n p e r i o d .
The slot feature was present at t h e e a s t o f
this trench but the wall otherwis e h a d m o r e
in common with the smaller nort h e r n p a r t o f
the wall than the larger southern p a r t .
Detail of the northern wall
20
A t r e n c h i n the centre of the structure date is terminus ante quem.
r e v e a l e d a d e e p build up of peat within the
i n t e r i o r o v e r l y ing a thin buried turf layer, The structure is more architectur a l l y c o m p l e x
c o m p l e t e w i t h preserved grass and frequent than could have been imagined p r i o r t o t h e
c h a r c o a l . U n d e rneath this turf was a spread of excavations and it is not entirel y c l e a r h o w
d a r k c h a r c o a l - rich material which covered a a timber superstructure could be i n c o r p o r a t e d
h e a r t h , t w o a d j acent postholes and a series of into the stone walls. Whilst th e r e a r e t w o
s m a l l s t a k e h o l e s. Samples from these features postholes in the centre of the bu i l d i n g , t h e y
a r e b e i n g p r o c e ssed in order to obtain further could not have been used simulta n e o u s l y, a n d
r a d i o c a r b o n d a t es which should relate directlythere is no evidence indicating th e p r e s e n c e o f
t o t h e u s e o f t h e structure. an internal post ring closer to the p e r i m e t e r o f
the structure. This suggests the su p e r s t r u c t u r e
T h e s t r u c t u r e has a complicated entrance was supported by a solitary upri g h t p o s t a n d
l o c a t e d a t t h e south east. The entrance is an the top of the dry stone wall. Th e a b s e n c e o f
e l o n g a t e d s u n k en feature with a stone-lined
b a s e a n d l a rg e stone slabs flanking the sides.
A p ai r o f p i l l a r-like orthostats is present at
e a c h e n d o f t h e entrance, with the western,
i n n e r p a i r s l i ghtly taller than the eastern,
o u t e r p a i r. A s il stone runs between the two
s t o n e s o f t h e outer pair. Interestingly the
e n t r a n c e f e a t u r e extends into the building’s
i n t e r i o r a n d s o the inner pair of orthostats are
a c t u a l l y i n t e r n al features. On either side of
t h e e n t r a n c e t h ere is a large mass of rubble,
s i m i l a r t o a c a i rn, retained by large boulders,
a n d t h e e a s t e r n end of the entrance beyond
t h e o r t h o s t a t s expands out, funnel-style, to
j o i n w i t h t h i s material.

A f i n a l f e a t u r e was found abutting the northern

s i d e o f t h e n o r th wall and the northern side
o f t h e c a i r n - l i k e material to the north of the
e n t r a n c e . T h i s is a low platform of densely-
p a c k e d r u b b l e measuring 1.2m in w idth and
a t l e a s t 2 m i n length which is retained by a
l a rg e s t o n e s l a b. The top surface of the rubble
i s q u i t e l e v e l , and it is possible this feature
o r i g in a l l y e x t e nded further to the east and
w e s t b u t h a s s u bsequently collapsed.

T h e a r t e f a c t a ssemblage from the structure

w a s v e r y l i m i t ed, consisting of a fragment
o f a f l i n t p l a n o-convex knife, a small flint
s c r a p e r, a f r a g ment of a chert blade and a
f e w p i e c e s o f flint debitage. No bones were
r e c o v e r e d f r o m the site due to the highly
a c i d i c n a t u r e o f the soil. A radiocarbon date
o f 1 4 11 - 1 2 1 0 cal BC has been obtained from
a p i e c e o f c h a rcoal from the preserved turf
l a y e r w i t h i n t he structure’s interior, but as
t h i s l a y e r h a s b een conclusively demonstrated
t o p o s t d a t e t h e collapse of the structure, this
Looking along the entrance into the interior
the slot feature in the northern p a r t o f t h e
wall is confusing if this feature w a s u s e d t o
tie the roof into the walls. Exten d e d c o v e r e d
entrances are frequently observe d a t B r o n z e
Age roundhouses, but the entr a n c e t o t h i s
structure was almost certainly no t c o v e r e d b y
a roof as no postholes were loca t e d a l o n g i t s
sides.
continued 

21 past horizons
Lookin g o v e r t h e n o r t h e r n c a i r n l i k e p ro j e c t i o n t owards the entrance
A p p r o a c h i n g t he building from the east a
p e r s o n w o u l d have been channelled between
t h e t w o h o r n - s haped projections of stone into
t h e e n t r a n c e f e a ture proper, which was marked
b y t w o o r t h o s t ats and a sil stone. Progress
w o u l d h a v e b e en made along the stone-lined
e n t r a n c e t h r o u gh the door of the building,
b u t i n s t e a d o f opening out immediately, the
e n t r a n c e c o n t i nued for a short distance and
a s e c o n d , l a rg er pair of orthostats would be
p a s s e d t h r o u g h before the interior space could
b e p ro p e r l y a c c essed. The interior space would
b e d o m i n a t e d by the central post supporting
T he pre s e r v e d t u r f l a y e r o v e r l y i n g t h e h e a r t h a n d postholes
past horizons
the roof and the ring of large k e r b s t o n e s
fronting the wall.
The location of the structure so h i g h a b o v e
the valley floor, the way in which t h e s o u t h e r n
wall was apparently designed t o e n h a n c e
visibility, the limited artefact ass e m b l a g e , t h e
complex nature of the entrance a n d t h e h o r n -
like projections of cairn materia l a l l s u g g e s t
this was not a standard domest i c b u i l d i n g .
It is possible the structure and t h e a d j a c e n t
building had a special function, s u c h a s c u l t
houses or places in which religiou s o b s e r v a n c e
were held. Further to the east a g r o u p o f
megalithic tombs occupy a sim i l a r p o s i t i o n
on the mountainside, and it is po s s i b l e t h e s e
structures represent a continuat i o n o f r i t u a l
activity at the same altitude.
The preserved turf layer from w h i c h t h e
radiocarbon date was obtained i s r e l e v a n t
to this discussion. This turf cou l d n o t h a v e
developed whilst the structure w a s r o o f e d ,
and indeed it was found to over l a y b o t h t h e
kerbstones and the collapse fro m t h e w a l l ,
demonstrating its secondary n a t u r e . T h e
presence of charcoal througho u t t h i s t u r f
layer therefore indicates human a c t i v i t y a t t h e
partially-collapsed ruins. That t h e s i t e w a s
22 
 Get Inv olv ed
A c h i l l A r c h a e o l o g i c a l F i el d S c h o o l o ff e r s a
‘Bare Bones’ two week course in excavation
and recording procedures on site. This
course, available in 2009 is particularly
suited to people who have a small amount of
archaeological experience but wish to build
on this while excavating Roundhouse 2.

T h e B a re B o n e s c o u r s e i n c l u d e s b a s i c
instruction and supervision in excavation/
planning/surveying while on-site.

Dates: 15 - 26 June excavation of trenches at

the north and east of Roundhouse 2.

3 - 14 August - excavation of trenches at the

south and west of Roundhouse 2.

Cost: €650 includes self-catering

accommodation, local transport and one day
tour of archaeological sites on Achill Island.

Places are limited to 20 people so this offer is

available on a first come, first serve d basis.

s t i l l v i s i t e d r e g ularly enough to permeate the For details on all the courses available
t u r f w i t h c h a r c oal is surely a reflection of its visit the website at:
f o r me r i m p o r t a nce, although the exact nature h t t p : / / w w w. a c h i l l - f i e l d s c h o o l . c om 
o f t h i s s e c o n d ary activity has not yet been
established. design may be entirely coinc i d e n t a l b u t
more light may be shed on S l i e v e m o r e ’s
D u r i n g t h e e x cavations the team discussed purpose as the Achill Field Scho o l c o n d u c t s
t h e p o s s i b i l i t y that the structure was some its investigations this year into t h e a d j a c e n t
f o r m o f m e g a l i thic tomb or unroofed circular structure. It is hoped the two exc a v a t i o n s w i l l
e n c l o s u r e . T h e se interpretations now seem complement each other and prov i d e a b e t t e r
u n l i k e l y, b u t the structure does contain understanding of when these stru c t u r e s w e r e
n u m e r o u s e l e ments that have parallels in built, what their exact form w a s a n d w h a t
t h e m e g a l i t h i c repertoire. In particular the activities took place within them .
a p p ea r a n c e o f the entrance with its pairs of
o r t h o s t a t s a n d the curving projections of Stuart Rathbone (BSc) joined A c h i l l F i e l d
c a i r n - l i k e m a t e rial certainly bears a passing School in spring 2008. He went t o I re l a n d i n
r e s e m b l a n c e t o some court tombs, passage 2001 and has worked on a wide r a n g e o f I r i s h
t o m b s w i t h i n - t urned entrances, and the Clyde excavations including the massiv e B ro n z e A g e
c a i r n s o f w e s t e rn Scotland. The overa ll design Village at Corrstown, County De r r y, a n d t h e
o f a l o n g p a s sage through a circular cairn Viking settlement at Woodstown, Co. Waterford.
i n t o a n o p e n - r oofed circular space lined with Forthcoming publications inclu d e a re v i e w
k e r b s t o n e s i s also reminiscent of the Clava of transhumant farming practice s i n I re l a n d
C a i r n s o f N o r t h East Scotland, and to some and Britain, and excavation repo r t s f ro m t h e
d e g r e e e v e n F ourknocks 1 in County Meath, Bronze Age village at Corrstown ; a n u n u s u a l
I r e l an d . Early Medieval enclosure at Cas t l e t o w n Ta r a
3; Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age d i t c h e s a n d
I s i t p o s s i b l e t h at the builders of this structure an Early Medieval ringfort at Ga r re t s t o w n 2 ;
were c o n s c i o usly imitating megalithic a Medieval farmstead at Trevet 1 a n d a B ro n z e
a r c h i t e c t u r a l t hemes? The similarities in Age camp site at Pottlebane 1.

23 past horizons
 Low Level Aerial
Photography for
Archaeology

Top: T h e re m a i n s o f a M o a i h e a d a m o n g s t t h e d e bris of an Ahu and its cobbled surfaced plaza

Above: Vi e w o f t h e M o a i s t a t u e s a n d t h e A h u ( p l atform) they stand on
Opposi t e , l e f t : T h e B a l l o w a l l B a r ro w i n C o r n w a ll, England

past horizons 24
photogr aphs and te xt by ada m stanford

“ O n e o u g h t t o be a bird in order to be a field

a r c h a e o l o g i s t ” said John Peere Williams-
F r e e m a n t o E n glish archaeologist O. G. S.
C r a w f o r d i n t h e years before the Great War.
I n d e e d , a l l m o dern field archaeologists will
a p p r e c i a t e t h e need to see the evidence on
t h e g r o u n d f r o m a bird’s-eye view. Since the
d e v e l o p m e n t o f aircraft and cameras during the
p i o n e e r y e a r s of Crawford, colossal amounts
o f d a t a h a v e , and are still being, gathered
f o r t h e a r c h a e ological record, and studying
a e r i al p h o t o g r a phs has now become standard
p r a c t i s e f o r d e sk-based assessments.

A i r c r a f t - b o r n e cameras yield a fantastic

a m o u n t o f i n formation over larg e areas
o f l a n d s c a p e , and for the discovery of new
a r c h a e o l o g i c a l sites aerial survey is ideal.
H o w e v e r, t h i s is compromised when trying
t o r e c o r d i n d e tail the excavated features in
s m a l l e r a r e a s . Conventional aircraft, fixed
w i n g o r h e l i c o pter, are limited by altitude
Aerial-Cam out in the field
r e g u l a t i o n s a n d can usually fly no lower
t h a n 5 0 0 f e e t above ground level. This is
w h e re a l t e r n a t i ve methods have proved more
e ff e ct i v e f o r s ite-specific and detailed low
l e v e l a e r i a l p h o tography. Since then many other non-airc r a f t m e t h o d s
have been employed with vary i n g d e g r e e s
I n 1 9 0 6 2 n d Lt. Philip Henry Sharpe RE of success including raised pla t f o r m s w i t h
p h o t o g r a p h e d Stonehenge from the basket extendable ladders, scaffolding t o w e r s a n d
o f a t e t h e r e d Royal Engineers’ hydrogen cherry pickers. Manoeuvring t h i s t y p e o f
b a l l o o n . T h e relative stability and static equipment around an excavation a r e a i s o f t e n
p o s i ti o n a t l o w altitude allowed for recording tricky, and scaffolding requires c o n s i d e r a b l e
o f t h e m o n u m ents detail, including its low effort and checking by qualifi e d p e r s o n n e l
e a r t h w o r k s , f o r the first time. each time it is erected.
continued 

25 past horizons
T h e m e t h o d s just discussed involve the the low-tech and reasonably inex p e n s i v e k i t e s
p h o t o g r a p h e r a ctually holding the camera toand blimps to the much more co s t l y r e m o t e -
o p e r a t e i t , a n d from personal experie nce this
controlled aircraft. Althoug h e x c e l l e n t
c a n b e q u i t e a h air-raising experience. Storiesresults can potentially be achiev e d w i t h t h i s
r e c o u n t e d b y a r chaeologists from the good old
type of equipment it can be haza r d o u s a s t h e
d a y s t e l l o f a t t e mpts to get overhead shots by
operator of the UAV is also at t e m p t i n g t o
b a l a n c i n g o n t op of vehicles, being elevated take the photographs. As well as t h e o b v i o u s
i n m a c h i n e b u c kets or scaling the nearest high
safety implications, attaching a c a m e r a t o
t r e e , w a l l o r b u ilding. a moving and vibrating object c a n l e a d t o
image quality issues such as ca m e r a s h a k e .
R e m o t e c a m e r a operation is possible with the Normally with this type of equi p m e n t , o n l y
u s e o f u n m a n n ed aerial vehicles (UAV), from compact lightweight cameras c a n b e u s e d

Stoneh e n g e a t s u n r i s e , t a k e n f ro m 2 0 m a b o v e t h e Avenue

past horizons 26
w h i c h r e s t r i c t s the photographic potential.
B e t w e e n 1 9 7 0 a nd 1979 the Royal Commission
o n t h e A n c i e n t and Historical Monuments of
Wa l es ( R C A H MW) employed a new method
o f p h o t o g r a p h y in the form of a telescopic
m a s t s y s t e m c alled the ‘High-Spy’ camera.
M o u n t e d o n t h e back of a Land Rover it enabled
s a f e r e m o t e o peration of various cameras
a t h e i g h t s e q u ivalent to scaffolding towers.
O n e o f t h e m a i n benefits of this system was
t h e e a s e i n w h ich camera positions could be
changed in a matter of minutes w i t h t h e L a n d
Rover giving access to difficult t e r r a i n . W h e n
the ‘High-Spy’ system needed r e n e w i n g t h e
RCAHMW decided it was too cos t l y a n d c a m e
to an agreement with the Royal C o m m i s s i o n
in Scotland who used a trailer-mo u n t e d m a s t .
This continued until the early 19 8 0 s .
As a field archaeologist working for commercial
units, rarely was there a safe a n d p r a c t i c a l
way to photograph excavations f r o m o v e r
head. This led me to investigate m e t h o d s t h a t
continued 

I was i n s p i r e d t o t a k e t h i s p i c t u r e o f S t o n e h e n g e after my interest in the monument was rekindled while working on the
Stoneh e n g e R i v e r s i d e P r o j e c t i n 2 0 0 6 . I w a s c o ncerned that a lot is said about the stones, many photographs depicting the
stones a n d t h e s k y, i g n o r i n g t h e w i d e r l a n d s c a p e and the rest of the monument. I planned my trip carefully so as to arrive
before s u n r i s e a n d b e r e a d y w i t h t h e c a m e r a 2 0 m above the avenue. As the mist cleared, the sun crept over the horizon and
warme d t h e s t o n e s , t h e b a n k a n d d i t c h c l e a r e r n ow with the oblique lighting. I waited for the sun and I spent the longest
time I h a d e v e r d o ne b e f o r e j u s t l o o k i n g a t S t o nehenge. It was magical, frustrating and eerie all at the same time. After
nearly t h r e e h o u r s o f t a k i n g p i c t u r e s I w a s f r e e z ing cold, but it was worth it.

27 past horizons
An Ea s t e r I s l a n d b o a t h o u s e t a k e n w i t h t h e l i g h t weight pole cam
m i g h t p r o v e m o re suitable. In 2006 after some
e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n my company, Aerial-Cam,
w a s c r e a t e d s p ecialising in low-level aerial
photography using the mast system. Delivering
v e r y h i g h q u a l ity images from a variety of
h e i g h t s u s i n g a telescopic mast mounted on
a L a n d R o v e r, Aerial-Cam is a safe, low-cost
a n d a c c u r a t e method, differing considerably
t o p h o t o g r a p h y taken from aircraft. Greater
d e t a i l a n d a c c u r acy is achieved at heights up to
2 2 me t r e s a b o v e ground level. The equipment
a l l o w s f o r p r ecise photographic recording
d u e t o t h e s t a b i lity and control of the camera
past horizons
mounted on the mast, which ac t s a s a v e r y
large monopod in still weather a n d a t r i p o d
(when guyed) in windy conditio n s . C a m e r a
set-up locations can quickly be c h a n g e d a n d
multiple angles achieved on exca v a t i o n s i t e s
or around buildings.
Where vehicle access is an issue, a l i g h t w e i g h t
tripod-mounted mast system i s e m p l o y e d
which can be easily carried to r e m o t e s i t e s
or erected inside buildings, such a s c h u r c h e s .
This has all the advantages of the L a n d R o v e r
mounted system but with slightly l e s s p o t e n t i a l
28

fo r he i g h t a n d stability in windy conditions.
In fa c t t h e p o r table mast system was used in
Ja n u a r y 2 0 0 9 t o aid my photography work as
p a rt o f t h e R a p a Nui (Easter Island) Landscapes
o f Co n s t r u c t i o n Project, where it proved
i n v a l u a b l e w h en creating the photographic
re c o r d .
In j u s t u n d e r t h ree years since settin g up the
A e ri a l - C a m s y stem providing the service
t o co m m e r c i a l archaeologists, uni versities
a n d s p e c i a l p r ojects, a range of sit es from
p re h i s t o r y t o industrial have been worked
29
Get In v ov led
Anglesey Rock-Art Project Field School
Llwydiarth Esgob Stone
A recent photographic survey (Nash & Stanford 2009)
has indicated that there is in fact much more to the art
on the Llwydiarth Esgob Stone than previously thought.
As well as the possibility of below-ground rock-art, the
survey may have revealed distinct similarities with art
of the Boyne Valley, thus strongly adding further to the
suggestion of an Irish influence for the rock-art found
in Anglesey and north Wales.
The group is investigating the possibility of further art
below the present ground level and wishes to record the
panel complete. The stone may also have been removed
from a now-destroyed, unknown monument nearby, so
this will also be investigated. Rock-art surveys and
recording at other monuments on Anglesey, including
Barclodiad y Gawres where art has been discovered in
recent photographic surveys, will also take place, as
well as field tours of the many fascinating monuments
on Anglesey. Techniques covered are excavation and
recording, special methods of photographic and other
non/minimal contact recording of megalithic rock-art.
There will be camping on site with water, toilet and
shower facilities, and apart from the project supper/
BBQ evening, it will be self-catering. Transport to and
from the project is at your own expense, but it may be
possible to arrange pick-ups at the ferry terminal or
train station in Holyhead.
Cost: £115
Dates: 18-22 June 2009 (book early as places are
limited).
Contact Adam: adam@aerial-cam.co.uk
http://www.aerial-cam.co.uk/index.html 
http://www.archaeology-safaris.co.uk 
on and consistently excellent r e s u l t s h a v e
been achieved. Archaeological ex c a v a t i o n i s
a destructive process and the ev i d e n c e w i l l
only be available for a relatively b r i e f t i m e ,
so it is imperative to ensure the p h o t o g r a p h i c
record is of the highest quality p o s s i b l e .
Adam Stanford is the director of A e r i a l - C a m .
He also runs Archaeological Saf a r i s r u n n i n g
field trips and field schools, and i s i n v o l v e d
in the Anglesey Rock-Art Field Sc h o o l , d e t a i l s
of which can be seen above.
past horizons
Inclusive Accessi
by tim phillip s and r oberta gilchrist

T
he emphasis on fieldwork in archaeology
has given the discipline a macho image
and is often seen as something carried out
only by fit and supposedly ‘able-bodied’ people.
Does this really have to be the case, should
people with disabilities be excluded? Fieldwork
t r a i n i n g i s a k e y c o m p o n e n t o f a n u n d e rg r a d u a t e
degree in archaeology and through participation
students gain not only practical skills, but
also a number of ‘transferable’ skills that are
increasingly valued by employers. These include
team-working, communication, self-motivation,
analytical ability and a number of other key
competencies.

Over the past few years, the Department of

Archaeology at the University of Reading has
devised various strategies to include the growing

A vis u a l l y - i m p a i re d s t u d e n t i d e n t i f i e s f i n d s b y t ouch.

past horizons 30
ble Archaeology
n u m ber of disabled students in its f i e l d w o r k i n a r c h a e o l o g i c a l f i e l d w o r k . Wo r k i n g c l o s e l y w i t h
t r a i n ing programme. Archaeology depart m e n t s i n occupational therapists and access consultants,
o t h e r universities have also reported an in c r e a s e i n the archaeologists investigated the practical
d i s a bled people taking up courses. This p r o m p t e d archaeological skills that students acquire during
t h e c onception of a new project, to dev e l o p t h e fieldwork training. Through observation, the team
p r o v ision of anticipatory support for d i s a b l e d r e c o r d e d t h e p h y s i c a l a n d c o g n i t i ve d e m a n d s o f
s t u d e nts involved in fieldwork training: I n c l u s i v e , e a c h a c t i v i t y. T h e n t h e y i d e n t i f i e d a n u m b e r o f
A c c e ssible, Archaeology (IAA). Fieldwork everyday activities that closely resemble each of
i n v o l ves the acquisition and developm e n t o f a the archaeological tasks. They also identified the
n u m ber of skill s, transferable skills
s o this support a c q ui r e d t h r o u g h
a c t u ally has the fieldwork.
p o t e ntial to be used
b y a l l students. From this
information, a self-
P r o v iding support evaluation toolkit
of this nature was developed,
c a n actually be known as the
more difficult Archaeological
t h a n it sounds. Skills Self-
A n a rchaeological E v a lu a t i o n To o l k i t
e x c a vation is a (ASSET). The
d y n a mic place. I ts idea behind the
p h y s ical nature toolkit is that it
and appearance e n a bl e s s t u d e n t s
– a nd the work to gain an idea of
p r i o r ities involved their ‘potential’
– c hange fro m a b i l it i e s a n d s k i l l s
d a y to day, if not T h e u s u a l p e rc e p t i o n of disability. Note how the tripod legs have been before embarking
a d j u s t e d t o a re a s o n a b le height.
h o u r by hour. The on fieldwork. The
u s u a l methods of toolkit helps them
i n c l u sion are much more difficult to appl y i n s u c h to evaluate their ability to perform a series of
a n e n vironment. Added to this, students’ s k i l l s a n d tasks that closely resemble the archaeological
a b i l i ties vary wi ldly, and these will cha n g e a n d t a s k s . A f t e r i d e n t i f y i n g a n y a r e a s o f d i ff i c u l t y, a
d e v e lop over time as they gain more exp e r i e n c e . support strategy can be devised and put in place
A l l o f this poses quite a challenge for d i r e c t o r s : before fieldwork takes place. Therefore, there is
h o w can they anticipate the specific n e e d s o f less pressure on the fieldwork director to anticipate
e v e r y individual student who might po t e n t i a l l y a n d p r e p a r e f o r e v e r y e v e n t u a l i t y. F or t h e s t u d e n t s ,
b e p resent on fi eldwork training? Mor e o v e r, i n t h e t o o l k i t a l l o w s t h e m t o i d e n t i f y th e i r s t r e n g t h s
w h a t may be a totally new environ m e n t f o r a n d w e a k n e s s e s a n d t o t a rg e t a r e a s t h a t n e e d
t h e m , can a stude nt be expected to fully a n t i c i p a t e developing. After participating in fieldwork, the
b e f o rehand what their needs may be? toolkit can be used to re-evaluate ‘actual’ abilities
in the light of practical experience.
R a t h er than focusing on what people c a n n o t
d o , t he IAA pro ject team took a more p o s i t i v e Because abilities and skills are evaluated at
a p p r oach. It decided to identify what abi l i t i e s a r e v a r i o u s l e v e l s o f d i ff i c u l t y, t h e i r d e v e l o p m e n t c a n
a c t u ally required to carry out the princi p a l t a s k s b e t r a c k e d o v e r t i m e b y r e p e a t e d l y u s i n g A S S E T.
continued 

31 past horizons
C o n s idering the increasing importance p l a c e d o n
t h e d evelopment of skills in higher educa t i o n , t h e
t o o l kit is highly valuable. It can be integr a t e d i n t o
s t u d e nt programmes of Professional Dev e l o p m e n t
P l a n ning, which emphasise the need to i d e n t i f y
a n d develop a range of different skills.
O n e notable benefit of ASSET is its eas e o f u s e .
S t u d ents simply have to answer questio n s a b o u t
t h e i r ability to carry out a series of e v e r y d a y
t a s k s at varying levels of difficulty. A S S E T
t h e n automatically produces a summary o f t h e i r
p o t e ntial to successfully carry out p a r t i c u l a r
a r c h aeological tasks, which can then b e t e s t e d
i n t h e field. Following fieldwork, stude n t s f e e d
i n f o r mation into the toolkit to log the i r a c t u a l
a b i l i ty in carrying out specific tasks. B e c a u s e
a b i l i ties can be evaluated at different le v e l s , t h e
t o o l kit can be used on subsequent occas i o n s a n d
t h e d evelopment of abilities and skills eff e c t i v e l y
t r a c k ed. This applies to all students, not j u s t t h o s e
w h o are seen as ‘disabled’.
A s well as deve loping ASSET, the pro j e c t a l s o
p r o d uced a set of good practice guide l i n e s f o r
i n c l u ding disabled students in archa e o l o g i c a l
f i e l d work training. These are based p a r t l y o n
t h e observations of the project team, b u t t h e
m a i n sources of information were influ e n c e d b y
t h e experiences of archaeology departm e n t s a n d
d i s a bled archaeology students, drawing o n t h e
g o o d practice already being carried out. Wi t h t h e
i n c r e asing publi c interest in archaeol o g y, t h i s
p u b l ication also contains guidelines fo r m a k i n g
a n e xcavation accessible to visitors.
ASSET is available as a free reso u r c e
on the project website, and is suppo r t e d
by a selection of case studies a n d
supplementary project information:
http://www.br itarch.ac.uk/accessible 
The good practice guidelines are avai l a b l e
f rom The Higher Education Acade m y ’s
Subject Centre for History, Classic s a n d
Archaeology:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/hca/
archaeology/features_resources/guides 
past horizons
Par ticipa te in the p roject
and g iv e y our v iew s
Di s a bi l i t y a n d t h e
A rc h a e olo g ic a l P rofe s sion (DAP)
Following on from the IAA project,
Archaeology at the University of Reading
have been commissioned by English Heritage
to carry out a project looking at disability
within the archaeological profession working
in close consultation with the Institute for
A r c h a e o l o g i s t s ( I f A ) a s a m a j o r s t a k e h o l d e r.
The brief is to produce good practice
guidelines for the employment of disabled
archaeologists in the profession. These are
to be based on the good practices already
being followed by employers and employees.
The guidelines will be published as an IfA
P r o f e s s i o n a l P a p e r.
The project team is looking for participants
w i l l i n g t o t e l l t h e i r s t o r y, w h e t h e r t h i s b e
p o s i t i v e o r n e g a t i v e . We a r e v e r y e a g e r t o
talk to anyone who has had experiences of
d i s a b i l i t y w i t h i n a r c h a e o l o g y, e i t h e r a t a
personal level, with the people they have
worked alongside or supervised, interviewed
o r e m p l o y e d . We a r e i n t e r e s t e d in t a l k i n g t o
people about all aspects, including the less
obvious things such as dyslexia, diabetes,
asthma, RSI and so forth. All the information
will be used anonymously and presented in
s u c h a w a y t h a t n o i n d i v i d u a l o r o rg a n i s a t i o n
can be identified. The participants will also
be invited to comment on the draft of the
guidelines.
If you are interested in participating in this
project, please contact:
D r Ti m P h i l l i p s
T: 0118 3788293
E: t.j.phillips@reading.ac.uk
The IAA project was funded by the Higher
Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
and carried out by Archaeology at the Reading and
Bournemouth Universities and the Research Group
for Inclusive Environments at Reading. Support
was provided by the following stakeholders:
• Institute for Archaeologists
• Council for British Archaeology
• English Heritage
• Oxford Archaeology
• The Higher Education Academy’s Subject
Centre for History, Classics and Archaeology
32
 Advertising Feature

U B
Birmingham provides the ideal footing for
anyone wanting to begin a career in
archaeology or the heritage environment.
Along with diverse skills and opportunities
provided, I also got to experience city life
in Britain’s second city. Thanks to the
course, I have been employed in
archaeology since I graduated in 2007.

Emma Sautejeau, MA Practical Archaeology

The Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity offer a range of postgraduate and

professional training courses aimed to provide you with the skills you need to
work in the heritage environment today. From project management techniques
in archaeology to the visualisation of past environments, we aim to give you
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available to heritage practitioners.

All of the courses we offer can be tailored to your individual

interests and needs, and can be delivered full-time or part-time
degrees.

Campus-based programmes
MA/PG Diploma in Practical Archaeology
MA/PG Diploma in Landscape Archaeology, GIS & Virtual
Environments
MSc in Environmental Archaeology & Palaeoenvironments
MA in Conflict Archaeology
M Phil (B) in Archaeological Practice

Distance Education programmes

MA/PG Diploma in Practical Archaeology (DE)
MA/PG Diploma in Landscape Archaeology,
GIS & Virtual Environments (DE)

To find out more, go to

http://www.iaa.bham.ac.uk/Postgraduate/
or email us at archpgrad@lists.bham.ac.uk Emma holding a medieval leather
shoe recovered from excavations in
Birmingham
33 past horizons
Georef e re n c i n g ro c k- a r t u s i n g d i g i t a l p h o t o g r a p hy, a simple and cheap method for scaling out-of-reach rock-art using
techni q u e s s i m i l a r t o t h o s e o f t e n e m p l o y e d i n b u ildings recording

past horizons 34
Wor l d R o c k-A r t ,
Land s c a p e s a n d
Creat i v i t y
by barry le wis

R
o c k - a r t sites are to be found
s c a t t e r ed across the world and
a l t o g e t her they contain millions
o f i m a g e s o f i n dividual or group ide ntity,
m o s t o f w h i c h were created from around
3 0 , 0 0 0 y e a r s a g o. As paintings, drawings,
e n g r a v i n g s , p r i nts, stencils and beeswax
d e s i g n s , r o c k - a r t seems to have captured our
i m a g i n a t i o n s i n ce the late 18th century.

S u r p r i s i n g l y, r ock-art remained marginal

t o a r c h a e o l o g y until the early 1980s, only
r e c e n t l y e m e rg ing as an area of serious
scientific research. Now interest has reached
t h e p o i n t w h e r e rigorous methodologies
h a v e b e e n d e veloped, with ideas of
o r i g i n a n d m e aning discussed regularly
i n a ca d e m i c j o urnals and new discoveries
r e p o r t e d i n t h e mainstream media.

I n o r d e r t o equip people with the

s k i l l s n e c e s s a ry to investigate rock-
a r t m o r e t h o r o ughly and to addres s the
i s s u es s u r r o u n ding its preservation and
p r e s e n t a t i o n , a five-day course ran in
2 0 0 8 c a l l e d World Rock Art, Landscapes
a n d C r e a t i v i t y, based at the University
o f N o t t i n g h a m campus in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
The approach to Gua Tambun
continued 

35 past horizons
A n i n t e n s i v e a n d challenging course, i t was led
to the site had everyone reachi n g f o r t h e i r
b y r e n o w n e d e x perts from Australia, Malaysia water bottles but the effort was w o r t h i t f o r
a n d t h e U n i t e d Kingdom, and covered many the chance to view, study and d i s c u s s t h e s e
t o p i cs f r o m c u r rent interpretation theories to wonderful drawings which incl u d e h u m a n ,
m o d e r n m e t h o ds of non-invasive recording abstract and animal motifs. Here t h e s t u d e n t s
w h i c h c o u l d p r ove suitable for studyi ng rock- were taught to look at the vario u s r e c o r d i n g
a r t a n y w h e r e i n the world. Students attending approaches that could be adapted t o s u i t t h e
t h e c o u r s e a l s o had the opportunity to visit challenging terrain, such as takin g s u c c e s s f u l
M a l a y s i a ’s m o st spectacular known rock-art digital photographs. They were a l s o a s k e d
s i t e , G u a Ta m b un (Tambun Cave). to consider what the future threa t s t o t h e s i t e
might be and what management str a t e g i e s c o u l d
Ly i n g i n t h e P e r ak region of Peninsula Malaysia possibly be employed to protect, c o n s e r v e a n d
o n a l a rg e l i m e stone formation called Gunong present the art to the public.
P a n j a n g ( t h e Long Mountain), Gua Tambun
c o n s i s t s o f a high, slightly concave, wall The course itself was designed to s u i t a b r o a d
c o n t a i n i n g p i g ment art and drawings which range of interested students. Com i n g f r o m a l l
w e r e f i r s t d i s c overed by Lt. R.L. Rawlings of over the world their backgrounds r a n g e d f r o m
t h e B r i t i s h a r m y while stationed in Malaysia heritage management professional s , u n i v e r s i t y
i n 1 9 5 9 . T h e floor of the shelter has been graduates, PhD students to lay p e o p l e . T h e
q u a r r i e d a w a y some time in the past leaving teaching team was led by Professo r P a u l Ta ç o n
t h e a r t s t r a n d e d almost impossibly high from of Griffith University, Queenslan d , A u s t r a l i a ,
t h e u n e v e n g r o und surface. In the heat and who has built up many years o f k n o w l e d g e
h u m id i t y, t h e short walk and steep pull up and experience in this field, pa r t i c u l a r l y i n

past horizons 36
A b o r i g i n a l r o c k-art. He has recently been
p a r t o f t h e r e s earch team working alongside
A b o r i g i n a l e l d ers to investigate contact art
i n Ar n h e m L a nd, northern Australia, where
m a n y c a v e s h e l ters have been found to contain
d e p i c t i o n s o f modern inventions such as
s h i p s , c a r s a n d bicycles. Other contributors
t o t he c o u r s e w ere Dr. George Nash of Bristol
U n i v e r s i t y b r i nging with him expertise in
E u r op e a n r o c k - art, and Dr. Sally May also of
G r i ff i t h U n i v e r sity (now Australian National
U n i v e r s i t y ) w ho shared her knowledge on
m a n a g e m e n t o f rock-art sites.
Professor Mohd Mokhtar Saidin o f U n i v e r s i t i
Sains Malaysia (USM) talked a b o u t h i s
pioneering work recording rock- a r t i n S a b a h ,
northern Borneo, and Peninsula M a l a y s i a a s
part of the first scientific Malays i a n r o c k - a r t
project, and discussed new disc o v e r i e s t h a t
were made during his expeditio n s i n t o t h e
jungle to find and map sites. T h i s w o r k i s
still in its early stages but is alrea d y p r o d u c i n g
much new data including charco a l d r a w i n g s
and cave engravings depicting hu m a n f i g u r e s
with distinctive triangular bodies .
continued 

A b o v e : C o l o n i a l p e r i o d c o n t a c t art in the Lenggong Valley

M a i n : T h e P e r a k r i v e r s w e e p i n g through the dense jungle of Peninsula Malaysia

37 past horizons
T h e w a r m e v e nings were spent relaxing over
a c o l d b e e r a n d sampling the fine Asian and
M a l a y c u i s i n e on offer from the lively street
s t a l l s a r o u n d B ukit Bintang, something which
p r o v e d a p o p u l ar end to the day.
with the exciting potential to d i s c o v e r a n d
record previously undiscovere d r o c k - a r t .
There is also the chance to loo k a t c o l o n i a l
contact art which is known to e x i s t a t a f e w
sites in the valley, some depic t i n g i m a g e s
such as motor cars.

This field school provides a n e x c e l l e n t

opportunity to learn from so m e o f t h e
world’s leading experts and w i l l c h a l l e n g e
the participants on many levels. I t i s a l s o a
chance to meet people from all ov e r t h e w o r l d
and share ideas about a common p a s s i o n , i n a
country that has some great exam p l e s o f r o c k -
art to offer us.

Barry Lewis is a project office r a t Tre n t &

Peak Archaeology, University of N o t t i n g h a m ,
UK, and is the co-ordinator for th e M a l a y s i a n
Obser v i n g 7 4 , 0 0 0 - y e a r- o l d v o l c a n i c To b a a s h d e posits
rock-art field school for 2009.

I n o r d e r t o b u ild upon the success of this

Get Inv olv ed
s h o r t f i e l d s c h ool, a longer course will take Dates: 3 - 13 September, 2009, inclusive
place in 2009. Trent & Peak Archaeology
i n c o n j u n c t i o n with USM will be greatly Costs: UK and EU student tuition fees, £670
e x p a n d i n g t h e range of skills previously
International student tuition fees, £1150
o ff e re d . T h i s time the field school will be
l o c a t e d i n t h e north of Peninsula Malaysia on Plus fieldwork and accommodation co sts, £385
t h e b e a u t i f u l i sland of Penang and the class-
b a s e d e l e m e n t will be taught at USM. This will The total cost includes accommodation (for 10
nights), lunches during the class based element
i n c l u d e a d e t a i l ed introduction to rock-art and
(in Penang) and all meals during the fieldwork,
c u r r e n t r e c o r d i ng methodologies, working with transfers between Penang and the Lenggong
i n d i g e n o u s g r o ups and local communities, and Valley, and all field trips.
t h e co n s e r v a t i o n and management of sites.
Contact: Barry Lewis
Barry.lewis@nottingham.ac.uk
T h e r e w i l l b e a strong field-based element
t o t h e 2 0 0 9 c o urse and this will take place Webpage: www.nottingham.ac.uk/tpa/field_school 
i n t he P e r a k r e gion’s Lenggong Valley which
h a s s o m e o f Malaysia’s, and east Asia’s,
o l d e s t s i t e s ; K o ta Tampan (c. 75,000 - 30,000
y e a r s o l d ) a n d Bukit Jawa (c. 200,0 00 years
old). E a r l i e r Palaeolithic occupation and
a c t i v i t y c e a s e d in the Lenggong Valley with
t h e er u p t i o n o f Mount Toba 74,000 years ago,
a s u p e r v o l c a n o that deposited a thick layer
o f a s h ( u p t o n ine metres thick in so me parts
o f Ma l a y s i a ) , s ome of which is still visible in
p a r t s o f t h e v a l ley today.

T h e t e r r a i n o f the Lenggong Valley which is

c o v e r e d i n d e n s e jungle will certainly provide
Professor Taçon teaching the group at Gu a Tambun
t h e fi e l d s c h o o l with many challenges, along

past horizons 38
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39 past horizons
 Recipes for Archaeologists
‘Hands up, all you c h o c o h o l i c s ! ’ i s suggest the earth in which the team
a call that would pr o d u c e a f o r e s t o f s e a r c h e s f o r a n c i e n t t r u t h s.
hands in the dining r o o m o f e v e r y d i g
I’ve ever attended. It is extremely rich and so it goes a long
w a y. A n y r e a s o n a b l y c o mp e t e n t f i e l d
It’s not a call I wou l d m a k e e v e r y d a y cook can make this special occasion
Annie Evans but when the work’s h a r d a n d t h e d a y s cake providing the kitchen has a small
The Dig Cook are hot the team ne e d s a n o c c a s i o n a l h a n d h e l d e l e c t r i c m i x e r.
treat.
T h e a l t e r n a t i v e i s t o u s e a l a rg e w h i s k
That’s when I dive i n t o m y t r u s t y o l d a n d s t r o n g m u s c l e s . A n d l e t ’s n o t
recipe book and flick t o t h e p a g e w h e r e f o rg e t t h a t a n o v e n i s a n o t h e r e s s e n t i a l
my shard cake is li s t e d . I a l s o m a k e piece of equipment in the making of
this cake as a treat this cake. Those
for members of sad cooks who
the team who are have to make do
having birthdays. with a couple
of gas burners
The reason why I c a n f o rg e t a b o u t
called it a shard the recipe that
cake was to make follows.
it special for
archaeologists. This cake is so
The shards are good that fraud has
large flakes sometimes been
of chocolate, suspected when a
i n s e r t e d suspicious string
vertically into of birthdays has
the cream on top occurred. If that
of an absolutely happens, the cook
luscious cake may have to start
made from hazeln u t s , c o ff e e a n d checking passports for birthdates.
chocolate. The blen d o f t h o s e t h r e e
wonderful ingredie n t s p r o d u c e s a I’ve learned that there are people out
flavour made in h e a v e n . I t ’s s o o o there who are so addicted to chocolate
good! that nothing will stand in the way of
a good feast of their favourite food.
Comparisons with o t h e r e c s t a t i c Somewhere along the way I’ve heard
experiences general l y c o m e d o w n i n o f a T- s h i r t t h a t b e a r s t h e t e x t : ‘ H a n d
favour of this cake b u t b e s t n o t t o o v e r t h e c h o c o l a t e a n d n o -o n e w i l l g e t
go into details in t h i s c l e a n , f a m i l y hurt’.
magazine!
The field cook can usually count on
A little bit of experim e n t i n g w i t h a t h i n leftovers to help him or her out on the
layer of chocolate m e l t e d i n t o a f l a t following day but I have to report that
pan and then broken i n t o i r r e g u l a r l y - with this cake leftovers are not going
shaped large chun k s p r o d u c e d t h e to happen. This is death by chocolate,
shards while the coff e e a n d c h o c o l a t e c o ff e e a n d h a z e l n u t s – w h o c o u l d a s k
that make up the b o d y o f t h e c a k e for a nicer way to go?

The Dig Cook’s website

http://www.digcook.com 

past horizons 40
 Shard For 25 people
3 large cake tins (30cm diameter), well-oiled and lined
with baking paper, or three large pizza trays, ditto

Ca k e
I N G R EDIENTS - CAKE

5 0 0 g hazelnuts, toasted and skins

r e m o v ed (tip: put toasted, cooled
h a z e l n uts in a pap er bag and shake and
r u b v i gorously through the bag. Tip
t h e m onto a tray and blow the skins
a w a y – but do it outside!)
O n e c up of cocoa powder (good Dutch
is best)
1 2 l a rge egg whites
3 c u p s caster sugar
2 0 0 g dark cooking chocolate for shards

I N G R EDIENTS – FILLING METHOD FOR FILLING

4 c u p s cream B e a t c r e a m w i t h d i s s o l v e d c o ff e e a n d i c i n g
3 t a b l e spoons good quality instant coffee dis s o l v e d s u g a r u n t i l s t i ff . S a n d w i c h m e r i n g u e l a y e r s
i n 3 t e aspoons of boiling water and cooled with half the cream mixture.
¾ c u p icing sugar
¼ c u p hazelnut liqueur (optional but good ) Spread remaining cream over the top and
sides. Decorate with chocolate shards and
M E T H OD FOR THE CAKE refrigerate 12 – 24 hours before serving.

P r o c e ss hazelnuts with cocoa powder in a f o o d M E T H O D F O R C H O C O L AT E S H A R D S

p r o c e s sor until roughly chopped. Altern a t i v e l y
r o u g h l y chop hazelnuts and mix with c o c o a
p o w d e r and set aside.
T h e r e must be no trace of yolk in with t h e e g g
w h i t e s so I always break each egg and sepa r a t e t h e
w h i t e into a small bowl and then put all t h e e g g
w h i t e s in a bowl together. Make sure yo u r e g g -
b e a t e r has no traces and bowls have no tr a c e s o f
f a t . I l ike the egg whites to be cold before I b e a t
t h e m with a pinch of salt until stiff peak s f o r m ,
t h e n a dd the caster sugar, ¼ cup at a tim e , a n d
b e a t u ntil the egg whites have tripled in v o l u m e
a n d a r e quite thick and glossy.
Spread aluminium foil smoothly over two
oven trays and lightly oil. Melt chocolate
i n a b o w l o v e r s i m m e r i n g h o t w a t e r ( d o n ’t
allow water to come in contact with the
melting chocolate).
Spread in a thin layer over the two trays.
Refrigerate until set, then break into
irregular shards about 10cm long. These are
pressed into the cream on top of the cake so
that they stand up.

G e n t l y fold the hazelnut mixture into t h e e g g

w h i t e s . Spoon mixture into the three prepa r e d t i n s NOTE: Leftover egg yolks can be used for
o r o n t o the pizza plates and bake at 150 d e g r e e s m a k i n g p a s t r y, c u s t a r d , m a y o n n a i s e e t c .
c e n t i g rade for 40 minutes. Cool in the tin s . L e t ’s n o t t h r o w a w a y g o o d i n g r e d i e n t s !

41 past horizons
Rev iew
I
t is not ofte n that a conference liv e s u p t o
i ts expectations, but the Archaeology F e s t i v a l
i n Cardiff, Wales, in February, ma n a g e d t o
d o j ust that. Th e conference was orga n i s e d b y
C u r rent Archaeology magazine, and f o l l o w i n g
a n i nvitation fr om the editor, Lisa We s t c o t t ,
w e j umped at the chance to attend a n e v e n t
t h a t provided a platform to present c u r r e n t
a r c h aeological research in a manner that w a s b o t h
a c c e ssible and entertaining.
A r r i ving with minutes to spare before the f i r s t s e t o f
l e c t u res at Cardiff University (the confer e n c e w a s
s p l i t between this venue and the National M u s e u m
C a r d iff), we kicked off with the Romans a n d w e r e
t a k e n through the recent excavations at C a e r l e o n
i n Wales, moved on apace to Hadrian’s Wa l l a n d
f i n a l ly ended up on the other side of th e R o m a n
E m p i re with a remarkable lecture
o n t he Siege of Dura Europos in
S y r i a . Here, the power play of
R o m an and Sassanian politics is
f o c u ssed into a s ingle moment in
a s i e ge tunnel, with a small group
o f s a ppers who battled and died
i n t he dark co nfined passage.
To w a rds the end you could smell
t h e fire and feel the horror of
t h e s e final moments.
T h e afternoon session moved
a w a y from the Romans and took
u s b ack into a relatively new area
o f s tudy: the enigmatic Copper
A g e or Chalcolithic of Britain.
D e a l ing mainly with the Wiltshire
a r e a of south England, the latest
s t u d i es were presented by Dr.
S t u a rt Needham of National
M u s e um Wales. The highlight of
t h e d ay, though, was guest speaker
B e t t a ny Hughes who captivated the audie n c e w i t h
h e r p ersonal fifteen year investigation on t h e r e a l
H e l e n of Troy. Ever the professional, s h e h e l d
t h e audience spellbound, but drew ever y s t r a n d
t o g e t her in a finale that shocked, intrig u e d a n d
q u e s tioned.
T h e following day we awaited the next s e r i e s o f
s e m i nars with a sense of anticipation. Af t e r a l o o k
a t t h e relationship between the barbarian s a n d t h e
f a l l of the Roman Empire by Peter Guest o f C a r d i ff
U n i v ersity, we heard about startling new e v i d e n c e
c o n c erning the end of Roman occupation i n B r i t a i n
past horizons
from Sam Moorhead of the Portable Antiquities
Scheme, who has built up an interesting theory
from coins found mainly by metal detectorists.
We t h e n c h a n g e d g e a r y e t a g a i n , a n d w e r e p l u n g e d
into the past with the remarkable Steve Mithen
a s h e p r e s e n t e d h i s s t u d i e s o f t h e e m e rg e n c e
of farming at the very origins of the Neolithic.
Next, we were introduced to 700,000 BP Britain.
Evidence is being pulled from mud and gravel
by dedicated archaeologists pushing technology
and endurance to the limits, and anyone that
can shift eight tonnes of sediment to find eight
vole jawbones, deserves a medal for their staying
p o w e r.
L u n c h w a s i n t h e N a t i o n a l M u s e u m C a r d i ff w h i c h
w a s a l i v e w i t h c h i l d r e n p u t t i n g S t e v e M i t h e n ’s
book Singing Neanderthals to
the test. Then, in the plush
velvet Museum theatre something
special happened. Professor Brian
F a g a n ’s ( U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a )
powerpoint failed to work and
there, like some Homeric poet
s t o r y t e l l e r, h e p r o c e e d e d t o t e l l
us of the past and of our own
f u t u r e , t h r o w i n g f ac t s , d a t e s a n d
n a m e s a s h e t o o k us o n a j o u r n e y
o f s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, c l i m a t e c h a n g e
and left us with a little bit of
h o p e f o r t h e h u m a n r a c e . Wi t h
such sustained applause we feared
he was going to be asked for an
encore for we had no time to
s p a r e a s w e r a c e d ba c k t o C a r d i ff
University for the final session.
This brought us back with a
bump. Looking at the dangers to
heritage, and the sustainability
of the archaeological profession itself, it proved
to be a lively discussion brought to a close
only by time itself. It was a pity because if this
Archaeology Festival had proved one thing it
was the need for more events like this to bring
together those who are amateur and those who are
professional who share one thing in common: a
l o v e o f a r c h a e o l o g y.
The venue is set for the 2010 Archaeology Festival
a n d w e d o n ’t n e e d a s e c o n d i n v i t a t i o n . We h o p e
to see you there at the British Museum in London
for yet another inspiring line-up of speakers.
42
 Join an i nternational team of archaeologists and o t h e r
scholars in the 18th year of ongoing investigation o f t h e
ancient Maya in northwest Belize in the summer of 2 0 0 9 .

The Blue Creek project is a long-term effort to understand comprehensively the structure of an ancient
Maya city and its neighbours. Blue Creek was a medium-sized community of 20,000 people with a large
public precinct surrounded by numerous, well-defined residential and agricultural components. The
project is focused upon the interaction between these components as well as the dynamics of the city’s
growth and collapse. Blue Creek was a wealthy community with inordinate access to exotic goods which
came into the community due to their enormous agricultural resources. Despite its resources and power,
Blue Creek, like much of the region, was largely abandoned at the end of the Classic period at around
AD 850.

We welcome both student and non-student participants. Participants will receive training i n field and
laboratory techniques as well as receiving a ‘crash course’ on the Maya and archaeological
methodology. Our research station has 35 small, residential cabanas, a laboratory building, a main
building with a dining hall, and men’s and women’s restrooms and showers, etc. While all meals are
hearty and provided within the overall cost, special diets can also be accommodated. All equipment and
supplies are provided. Participants will be met at the international airport and driven to the research
station. In 2009, we will return to continue excavations in an elite residential area (Rosita) and in the
agricultural field systems surrounding the site. Additionally, we will continue our new excavations at
th e nearby centres of Bedrock and Nojol Nah.

There are four two week sessions and you are welcome to join any or all of them.

Session 1: Monday May 25 - Sunday June 7

Session 2: Monday June 8 - Sunday June 21
Session 3: Monday June 29 - Sunday July 12
Session 4: Monday July 13 - Sunday July 2 6

For more information

See our website: http://www.mayaresearchprogram.org/

Request our particpant Guide and 2008 Annual Report of Investigations
by email ( mrp@mrpmail.co m )

43 past horizons
Interes ted In... R o c k - A rt

F i e l d Sc h o o l s
E n c ulturating Environments: Rock-Ar t a n d E n v i ro n m e n t i n S o u t h - C e n t r a l C a l i f o r n i a
A f i e ld school focussing on some of the m o s t s p e c t a c u l a r r o c k - a r t s i t e s i n We s t e r n N o r t h A m e r i c a .
L o c a ted in the beautiful foothill landsc a p e s o f t h e Wi n d Wo l v e s n a t u r e p r e s e r v e i n t h e Te h a c h a p i
M o u ntains. Included will be an excavati o n o f a q u a r r y s i t e c o n t a i n i n g b l u e a n d g r e e n m i n e r a l s e a m s
u s e d to create the magnificent local rock - a r t . A c o l l a b o r a t i v e p r o j e c t p a r t n e r i n g U C L A , U n i t e d S t a t e s
a n d t he Universities of Central Lancashi r e a n d S o u t h a m p t o n , U K .
D a t e s: 28 June - 1 August 2009. Further d e t a i l s , i n c l u d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n o n s c h o l a r s h i p s, c a n b e f o u n d
at: http://www.archaeology.ucla.edu/WindWolves/overview.htm 
F i e l d Methods in Rock-Art
A f i e ld school for undergraduate and gra d u a t e s t u d e n t s i n t h e a r c h a e o l o g y o f t h e L o w e r P e c o s , Te x a s .
L e a r n rock-art recording techniques and d a t a a n a l y s i s , f i e l d r e s e a r c h d e s i g n , i n t e r p r e t i v e m e t h o d s a n d
t h e o r ies, field laboratory procedures, and m a p p i n g .
D a t e s: 11-29 May 2009. Further details, i n c l u d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n o n s c h o l a r s h i p s , c a n b e f o u n d a t :
http://www.shumla.org 

C o n f ere n ce s
G l o b a l R o c k - A rt
D i ff e r e n t m e t h ods of investigation, interpretation and new discoveries, scientific d e v e l o p m e n t
a n d th e d y n a m i cs of cultural creation and distribution will be related and compa r e d .
D a t e s : 2 9 J u n e - 3 July 2009 at Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí, Brazil.
h t t p : / / w w w. g l o balrockart2009.ab-arterupestre.org.br/index.html
A R A R A 2 0 0 9 i n Bakersfield, Califo rnia
T h e m o u n t a i n s surrounding Bakersfield contain a rich and varied collection of cultu r a l r e s o u r c e s
f r o m s e v e r a l d i fferent Native Americ an groups, including Chumash and Yokuts. B e t w e e n t h e
S a n J o a q u i n Va lley and the Santa Barbara coastline is an area which, until recen t l y, h a s b e e n
r e l a t i v e l y u n d i sturbed by archaeologists. The results of recent research into t h e ‘ s p a c e i n
b e t we e n ’ w i l l b e one of the highlights of the 2009 conference. Dates: 22-25 Ma y 2 0 0 9
h t t p : / / w w w. a r a ra.org/Conference_2009.html

Ass o ci a t i o n s
T h e A m e r i c a n Rock-Art Research Association (ARARA)
A d i v e r s e c o m munity of members with wide-ranging interests who are dedica t e d t o r o c k -
a r t p r e s e r v a t i o n, research, and education. The intent is to communicate to a bro a d a u d i e n c e
t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e of rock art as a non-renewable resource of enduring cultural v a l u e , a n d a n
i m p o r t a n t e x p r ession of our shared cultural heritage.
h t t p :/ / w w w. a r a ra.org/index.htm
A u s t r a l i a n R o ck-Art Research Association (AURA)
A U R A i s d e d i cated to the study and preservation of rock-art in Australia and a r o u n d t h e
w o r l d , a n d t o t he promotion of indigenous custodianship of traditional cultural h e r i t a g e .
h t t p :/ / m c 2 . v i c n et.net.au/home/aura/web/index.html

past horizons 44
 D ig In A selection of ar chaeological pr ojects ar ound the world

british vir gin isl ands - r oad harbour shipwreck pr oject

After initial practical training, spend 10 days on SCUBA exposing and recording a
previously unknown 18th century shipwreck based in Road Harbour.
Cost: £1200 (does not include airfare). Dates: 16 - 30 May and 30 May - 13 June 2009
Email Kimberly Monk, University of Bristol: k.monk@bris.ac.uk

scotl and - hillforts of str athdon

Specifically designed by Murray Cook (formerly of AOC Archaeology) to undertake keyhole
excavation across a series of hillforts in Aberdeenshire, in order to collect dating evidence.
Training in the field will be given. Email Murray Cook: murraycook35@hotmail.co.uk
Cost: £300 (includes food and accommodation). Dates: 18 - 31 July 2009

pol and - mortuary ar chaeology

The project offers a journey into the Slavic past and the Mediaeval history of central Europe,
as well as lab/field practicals in human osteology and mortuary archaeology.
Cost: see website to receive information pack, or email directly.
Web: http://www.slavia.org Dates: 22 June - 16 August (available as two week sessions)

portugal - crem ation urns fr om the ir on age necr opolis of ter a

This programme will focus on the excavation of urns, already taken from the site, and the
proper recording , excavation methodologies and identification of individuals and remains.
Cost: €1500. Dates: 6 - 31 July 2009
Web: http://portanta.com

bulgaria - a byzantine cold ca se file

Excavation of a Byzantine Syrian church, unique in the Balkans. There is one field school
available which will teach excavation techniques and is suitable for beginners.
Cost: €1299. Dates: 4 - 18 July 2009
Web: http://www.bhfieldschool.org/bh2007varexc09.html

engl and - north pennines ar chaeology field school

The project aims to provide archaeology students, and prospective entrants into
archaeology courses at university, the opportunity to gain valuable fieldwork experience.
Cos t: £75 per week for tuition plus £10 membership fee. Dates: 1 June - 31 July 2009
Web: http://www.nparchaeology.co.uk/fieldschool/index.html

canada - fortress of louisbour g

Two five-day field sessions focusing on the De la Valliere property which was occupied by
French, British and New Englanders between 1720 and 1758.
Cost: $650 CDN per five-day session. Dates: 10 - 14 and 17 - 21 August 2009
Web: http://fortressoflouisbourg.ca/ArchaeologyE

greece - e xcavation at ar gilos

Argilos is one of the earliest Greek colonies in the north Aegean area. Students
participate in all aspects of the archaeological process, assisted by trained professionals.
Cost: $1650 CDN for two-week session. Dates: 14 June - 11 July 2009
Web: http://www.argilos.org/FieldSchool.html

isr ael - nahal m ahanayim outlet

The site is dated to the early stage of the Levantine Mousterian ca. 200,000 years before
present. Numerous animal bones have been found along with a fragment of a human skull.
Dates: Autumn 2009
Cost: Email Dr. Gonen Sharon at gonensharon@mail.huji.ac.il

more pr ojects can be found at http://www.pasthorizons.com/worldprojects 

45 past horizons
Profile
A dam Stanford is based in Worcestersh i r e a n d i s t h e d i r e c t o r o f
Archaeology Safaris Ltd and Aerial- C a m . A d a m s p e c i a l i s e s
i n a ll aspects of archaeological photog r a p h y, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e
l o w level aerial photography of excavati o n s , a n c i e n t m o n u m e n t s
a n d historic buildings. His own research i s o n p r e h i s t o r i c r o c k -
a r t , and its recording and interpretati o n u s i n g a v a r i e t y o f
p h o t ographic and other survey methods, a s w e l l a s c o n d u c t i n g
f i e l d trips around the United Kingdom a n d E u r o p e .

Your first archaeological experience?
We lived in Ripon, North Yorkshire, when I was about
7 or 8. My father took me up onto the moors walking
and I remember looking at the humps and bumps of
a lost village. As the rain came in over the dry stone
wall that we crouched by, I didn’t know what I was
looking at or why I liked it, but the memory of the
landscape and the fruit polos we ate to cheer us up,
has stuck with me ever since.
Have you a particular site that you enjoy
photographing?
I don’t think I have a favourite, but I have had a
lot of fun at Stonehenge and some amazing results
with the Stonehenge Riverside Project 2008 team,
Woodhenge, and lots of glow-sticks at night.
What is the worst job you’ve done?
When on a training course in the Brecon Beacons my
trench hit bedrock after 18 inches then filled with
water. It was a long, cold and miserable few days.
Despite this, I stayed in the Army for 10 years!
What book are you reading right now?
Last book: Easter Island by Jennifer Vanderbes
Current book: Toast by Nigel Slater
Next book: Don’t Sleep, There are Snakes by Daniel
Everett
Have you had any near-death experiences?
A bit of a battle with cancer in my twenties and a few
motorbike near misses, but the one that hurt the most
was a late opening and bad landing when sky-diving
in the USA.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
The need for a cup of tea?
Do you have any heroes or heroines?
Not really but here is a good quote from someone
with fortitude: “The most effective way to do it, is to
do it.” Amelia Earhart 1897 – 1937.
What historical character would you have liked to
meet?
Jesus or Brian, either would be great.
What is your current obsession?
Cooking whilst under the influence of red wine.
How do you relax?
By talking with my wife, while cooking under the
influence of red wine.
What is you best work achievement so far?
Staying in business and doing what I am passionate
about.

Top three essential items for travelling?
Camera, credit card, PG Tips Monkey – he loved it
on Easter Island.
What did you feel coming face-to-face with the
Rapa Nui statues?
Hot. Nothing you see or read quite prepares you for
the scale of what the Rapa Nui did. The island is
wrapped in platforms for statues, the Rano Raraku
volcano Moai statue quarry is just stunning, and the
quality and huge quantity of work they undertook
is outstanding. My imagination got really fired up,
the landscape is stuffed with archaeology of a very
recent Neolithic. Nothing but a cold ‘Black Lager ’
could cool me down at the end of each day.
What country do you enjoy visiting and why?
Italy - the food, the wine, the beautiful and delicious
everything.
Have you ever volunteered on an archaeological
site?
Yes, and still work for free on special projects (see
the last answer), which is amazing in light of this
one.
What do you see out of your window just now?
Rain, the corner of the neighbouring pub, an apple
tree and the pen where our chickens live.
What new skill would you like to learn?
Hovering effortlessly at altitudes of my choosing.
If you weren’t an archaeologist what would you do
instead?
I can’t imagine not driving a Landrover, getting muddy,
playing with lots of different bits of technology and
trying to figure out what is/was going on. So another
job involving all of that, but without getting shot at.

past horizons 46
Fun Page... archaeology can be fun...honest
Fish Guys - a short film by Trey Stokes

If you are viewing this magazine on SCRIBD, then

you will not be able to see the video.

You can view it on either the full flip page version

of the magazine:

www.pasthorizons.com/magazine
OR: on our dedicated video website:
http://www.pasthorizons.tv/tv/view/283/fish-guys/

Fish Guys was made

for the Extreme
Filmmaker 48-Hour
film contest, and was
shot and edited in 48
hours by Trey Stokes.

Based on a true story,

the video was shot in
the Fish Collection at
the Natural History
Museum of Los
Angeles County.

This is a cult classic

for archaeologists
and lab people!

To visit the website

of Trey Stokes:
http://www.treystokes.co m

The p r o f e s s o r n e e d e d m o r e p r a c t i c e w i t h t h e l a s e r s c a n n e r

47 past horizons
 PAST HORIZONS
Journal of Volunteer Archaeology

Share
your Projects
with the World
Past Horizons is a unique online publication aimed at anyone who has an interest in archaeology
and heritage conservation. Our remit is to inform people about projects around the world where
you can participate either as volunteers with no previous experience, students looking for more
fieldwork experience or professionals who need a break on an exciting excavation.

Articles are written by project organisers or the participants in the project giving unique insights
into what to expect. Topics range from the discovery of mysterious features in Cornwall to rock art
survey in Nicaragua, restoring Ottoman period houses in Albania and surveys in the deserts of
Jordan. We encourage PhD students to contribute stories about projects they are involved in, such
as the recent article on Rwandan archaeology from two University College London
researchers.

Using the latest technology, with Pageflip, embedded videos and sounds, as well as live weblinks,
this is an online magazine like no other, so log on to Past Horizons today and get involved in a
world of archaeology and heritage conservation.

If you want to write an article Free to view at

for Past Horizons, contact us
at: editor@pasthorizons.com
www.pasthorizons.com/magazine
past horizons 48