AFG event Saturday 4 February

Robert Skinner will talk to the AFG on the subject of the West Woods Environs Project, at Wiltshire Heritage Museum on Saturday 4 February at Wiltshire Heritage Museum, starting at 10.30am.

Following that will be a sorting and recording from the 2011 digs.

Everyone welcome.

See the Moot list below (as at 30 January), there are still gaps, any volunteers? As usual any mistakes in the list, please let me know.

Moot Site, Remarks

1, Bishops Cannings,
2, Alderbury,
3, Amesbury, Done
4, Blagrove,
5, Bradford,
6, Branchbury, Complete – No identification possible
7, Cadworth,
8, Calne, Complete
9, Cawdon,
10, Chippenham, In hand but looking as not poss?
11, Cicementone, In hand
12, Cricklade,
13, Damerham, In hand
14, Dolesfield, Complete – No identification possible
15, Downton, In hand
16, Dunley,
17, Dunworth, Complete
18, Elstub, Done Panorama Req
19, Frustfield, Done
20, Heytesbury, Complete
21, Highworth, Complete
22, Kingsbridge, Complete
23, Kinwardstone,
24, Melksham,
25, Mere, Complete
26, Ramsbury,
27, Rowborough,
28, Scipa, Complete
29, Selkley,
30, Staple,
31, Startley, Inhand
32, Stowford, Complete
33, Studfold,
34, Swanborough, Complete – req writing up
35, Thorngrove, Complete
36, Thornhill, Complete – No identification possible
37, Warminster, Complete
38, Westbury, Complete
39, Whorwellsdown, Complete
40, Wonderditch.

Shaun

Finds Sorting - beginners welcome

There is a finds sorting (beginners welcome) at Wiltshire Heritage Museum on Saturday 7 January at 10am with Lyns. Shaun will also be there starting on the consolidation of the Moots project. All welcome, please pop in.

Future Date to note: 4th Feb:
Robert Skinner will talk to the AFG on the subject of the West Woods Environs Project after which there will be sorting and recording from the 2011 digs.

Marden Field Walking - 4 December

This will be the final day so one last big push will finish the job. We have already picked up some interesting finds.

The main aim is to look for traces of prehistoric settlement in the Vale in the area surrounding the Henge at Marden. When a similar exercise was undertaken to the north of Stanton St Bernard in 2009 the big surprise was the amount of Romano-British pottery that was found.

If you are interested just turn up at the Meeting Point (SU084566) on the day or phone Jim Gunter on 01793 731974 for more details. Come for the day or part of the day.

Yatesbury fieldwork - 7/8 October

The beans are now in and the dig/field walking in the trench and POW camp areas delayed from 2 weeks ago is set for this weekend 7/8 Oct.

Meet at the village hall car park 10:00 Saturday and Sunday.

This coincides with the WANHS AGM and lecture on the Saturday and the Downland walk in memory of Shaun Ogbourne on Sunday. It means that for once there is plenty of choice to suit everyone's tastes so I hope everyone will come out to at least one of these events.

If you wish you can go to Yatesbury for just a morning or one day or both that will be fine. If you are going please let Dan Miles know by email: arqueotrad@yahoo.es

DOWNLAND ROCK ART WALK

Sunday 9 October. As a memorial to Shaun Ogbourne who had identified many blocks of sarsen on the Marlborough Downs that appeared to have been humanly modified, with cup marks, possible polissoirs, and even carvings, it would be fitting if his work was continued. A walk has, therefore, been organised across the Downs to give everyone the chance to look at, examine, and comment on the individual stones as well as taking in other sites along the way. It is intended to have the walk in conjunction with members of Shaun’s family and his Wessex Dowsing Society. This is the start of Rock Art Wiltshire, an ongoing project to fully document and publicise all such stones identified anywhere in the county.

Date: Sunday 9th October.
Time: 10:30 – 16:00 (bring lunch and appropriate gear for the weather)
Venue: Manton car park (directions – see map below)
Map Ref: SU159699
Contact: Jim Gunter on 01793 731974 or uncledigger@btinternet.com

A map is available on request - wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk

Yatesbury fieldwork postponed

The fieldwork planned for this weekend (24/25 September) at Yatesbury has been cancelled as the farmer has still not been able to get his crop in! Watch this space for details of the rearranged date - or subscribe to the afg e-mail newsletter - contact wanhs@wiltshireheritage.org.uk and include AFG in the subject line.

We had a great turn out last week and lots of fun - the RAF Yatesbury Society has already put some photos on their website.

Kennet Valley Mesolithic study

Abby George has started the fieldwalking, augering and test pitting in West Overton (North Farm) as described in an earlier email. Work is being interrupted by rain so will continue this week and into next week (w/c 19th September).
Contact: Abby on 07919 230721 or artdept@btinternet.com
Date: from 12th September 2011
Time: 10:00 – 16:00 each day
Venue: North Farm, West Overton
Map Ref: SU133685