10,000 year-old spear found on historic Co Down hillside

A tiny spear dropped by a prehistoric "hunter gatherer" 10,000 years ago is the latest dramatic discovery on a famous Co Down hillside.

The needle, still sharp despite its Stone Age roots, has stunned archaeologists at an excavation dig in Downpatrick that is now expected to make its own history because of "significant findings".

The Queen’s University team has confirmed the "microlith" is “the earliest evidence” for people living in the historic area.

The tiny 10,000 year-old spear

This follows the recent sensational discovery of 12 medieval skeletons in the same grounds of Down Cathedral - within meters of St Patrick’s grave.

The tourist site has been a magnet for visitors over the summer as word has travelled about the historic treasure trove.

Dozens of artefacts, including 1,500 year-old glazed pottery, metalwork, oyster shells and a tiny ceramic shoe, have also been uncovered in the buried ruins of an ancient Benedictine monastery.

Excavation director Brian Sloan said they were stunned by their most recent discovery despite the long history associated with the site.

He said: “We know Cathedral Hill has substantial prehistoric remains waiting to be found but we didn't really expect something so early.

“All of this material will revolutionise our understanding of life in Downpatrick from the time of St Patrick onwards.

“The Mesolithic flint tool dates back to about 8000 BC, which represents the earliest evidence for people living here in Downpatrick 10,000 years ago."

Cathedral Dean Rev Henry Hull described the discovery of the flint as "quite remarkable".

In a further nod to the site's history, a replica of an ancient High Cross which would have been the original marking of St Patrick's grave, was erected during a ceremony today (Friday).

Three fragments of the original cross have been put on display in the entrance porch of the cathedral.

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokesman confirmed “significant findings” had been made during the excavation project, which is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Council chairman Mark Murnin said: “The unexpected discoveries have become a massive tourist attraction for the area with hundreds of visitors everyday from as far as USA, Australia, and Japan. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP even made time in her diary to stop by the dig.

“The discoveries from this excavation have inspired the interest and imagination of many.”

Queen’s University Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork will deliver a post-excavation lecture at Down Museum, Downpatrick, on Thursday, November 15.

Match-funding for the project was provided by the Northern Ireland Executive Office and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

10,000 year-old spear found on historic Co Down hillside

Queen's Edinburgh Residence Yields 800-Year-Old Artifacts

Artefacts dating back more than 800 years have been found at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Items discovered during excavation work in Edinburgh this year include a 12th-century jug fragment, a horse skeleton and a medieval shoe.

The diets of ambassadors and courtiers at Abbey Strand – during the reigns of Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI – were also revealed by the mass of oyster shells and wine bottles dug up.

Researchers also say wine and spirit containers, food debris and fragments of children’s games give a glimpse of life for the 25 impoverished families living in cramped tenements in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Gordon Ewart of Kirkdale Archaeology, which carried out the work, said: “The survey has provided a unique opportunity to understand more about the fascinating development of the Abbey Strand and its surroundings – and to explore how the site has been the historic and symbolic bridge between the palace and the city of Edinburgh for centuries.”

More than 40 trenches were dug for an archaeological survey as part of the £10 million works to improve the visitor experience at the palace.

Excavations in the Abbey Strand buildings by the Edinburgh-based firm uncovered the earliest evidence of settlement on the site.

Timber posts dating from the 12th century are believed to mark the location of a terrace that led to the then low-lying island on which Holyrood Abbey was built in 1128.

They could also have formed part of a structure used by the workmen who built the Abbey.

One of the earliest finds is a medieval leather shoe from beneath one of the cellars in the Abbey Strand.

The bones of Highland cattle found in the gardens provide evidence of trading between Edinburgh and the Highlands and Western Isles.

The palace is used by the Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

Queen's Edinburgh Residence Yields 800-Year-Old Artifacts

Ancient clan artefact uncovered after being hidden for 400 years

It is a piece of Scotland’s bloody clan history that has remained hidden for more than 400 years.

But a rare find during an excavation at Dunyvaig Castle on Islay has uncovered the seal of Sir John Campbell of Cawdor.

The artefact dates back to 1600s when the Campbell and MacDonald clans were locked in a violent and bitter feud over Scotland’s islands.

Buried below mounds of rubble, the find - described as “remarkable” and “extremely rare” by archaeologists and historians - was discovered on a hidden clay floor at the historic site.

Archaeologist Dr Darko Mari?evi?, director of the excavation at Dunyvaig, said: “This is a remarkable find. Not only is it a beautiful and well-preserved object, but it comes from the floor of a building that we can now confidently date to the Campbell occupation.

“So buried below this floor, we will have the story of the MacDonald’s – the Lords of the Isles – to reveal.”

Roddy Regan, an archaeologist at Kilmartin Museum, added: “Seals are extremely rare finds. This discovery conjures up an image of a Campbell garrison fleeing from the castle when under attack, dropping and losing one of their most precious items, or maybe the seal had once been hidden within a wall niche and long forgotten.”

Once used to sign and seal charters and legal documents, the seal is a circular disc of lead which carries the inscription IOANNIS CAMPBELL DE CALDER (Calder was the original spelling of Cawdor).

It carries the Cawdor coat of arms with a galley ship and a stag and is dated 1593.

The Campbells and the MacDonald’s fought over Dunyvaig in the early 17th century, with a series of sieges and bombardments of the castle until the Campbells finally prevailed.

Sir John took ownership of Islay in 1615.

Mr Regan added that the seal could have been lost in a later raid in 1646 when Alasdair MacColla, a descendent of the MacDonalds, reclaimed the castle.

He said: “Alasdair MacColla, a descendent of the MacDonalds, retook the castle and installed his elderly father, Colla Ciotach to defend it.

“The castle was immediately besieged again.

“We may have Colla Ciotach’s hasty defences in the form of turf walls built above the already ruined stone walls of Dunyvaig, before he was forced to surrender in 1647 and then hanged from the castle walls.”

The excavation at Dunyvaig is being undertaken by charity Islay Heritage in partnership with the University of Reading.

A team of around 40 experts, including leading archaeologists, geophysicists, scientists and environmentalists, are almost at the end of an initial three-week dig at the castle, which sits in Lagavulin Bay, with further projects planned for next year.

Organisers were keen to use the excavation as a teaching project for current archaeology students and it was one such student, Zoë Wiacek, from the University of Reading, who discovered the seal.

She said: “I removed a piece of rubble and it was just sitting there on the ground. I immediately knew it was an important find, but had no idea what it was.

“I called over my trench supervisor, and when it was lifted, the soil fell away to show the inscription. Then everyone became excited.

“I am so proud to have found something so important for the project and for Islay.”

Professor Steven Mithen, chairperson of Islay Heritage and director of the Dunyvaig Project added: “Coming towards the end of the dig, after the team had worked so hard to move huge amounts of turf and rubble, this has been a thrilling discovery.

“We have found a piece of Islay’s past and Scottish history. We can’t wait to start digging again in 2019.”

Islay Heritage hope to raise further funds to allow excavation work to continue at Dunyvaig over the next five years.

Ancient clan artefact uncovered after being hidden for 400 years

Workmen discover the remains of an ancient bronze age village under the site of a new car park

Workmen laying tarmac for a new car park have discovered the hidden remains of a bronze age village.

Stone pits of a 3,600-year-old settlement were unearthed at the site of a new visitors' car park at the historic Offa's Dyke.

The ancient village was found just yards from the 176-mile long earthen barrier on the border of England and Wales.

But the ancient settlement, discovered by archaeologists in the village of Brymbo, North Wales, is thought to be thousands of years older than the eighth century Offa's Dyke.

The discovery came 60 years after a skeleton known as Brymbo Man was dug up in the same village.

Archaeologists found man-made stone pits and charred pieces of seed, wood charcoal and grains near to where Brymbo Man was found in August 1958.

They had been overseeing work by Wrexham Council to alleviate parking problems in the area and the pits were found while top soil was being removed ready to lay tarmac.

Work on the new car park was halted after the settlement was found.

Ian Grant, of the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, said: 'While we were monitoring the works I was looking to see if I could see anything associated with Offa's Dyke.

'We didn't find any nice bling or treasure, but we certainly retrieved material that you could date as there were lots of charred remains.

'It's a good spot for a bronze age village because it has such a stunning view.'

The charred remains have now been sent off for analysis to try to establish when they date from.

Brymbo councillor Paul Rogers said: 'The find is an important piece of the jigsaw in the village's history.

'It has generated interest in the community with a lot of residents feeling that it's another positive piece of our history.'

Brymbo Man was found by local workmen while digging a pipe trench.

National Museum of Wales experts excavated a stone-lined box in which they discovered the incomplete remains of a skeleton, a small earthenware pot and a flint knife.

Experts estimated he was 35 when he was killed by an arrow in his head and lived at about the same time as the hidden village 3,600 years ago.

Workmen discover the remains of an ancient bronze age village under the site of a new car park

Public dig uncovers war relic from General Monk’s attack on Castle Fraser

Over 400 members of the public took part in archaeological excavations at the National Trust for Scotland’s Crathes Castle and Castle Fraser (Muchall-in-Mar), over the last two weekends.

At both locations the work was supervised by the conservation charity’s archaeologists and a team of dedicated archaeological volunteers. The ‘come and have a go’ approach proved very popular with families and attracted both first-timers and seasoned diggers.

Castle Fraser. Picture National Trust

Dr Daniel Rhodes, Trust archaeologist said: ‘Last year at Castle Fraser we found a 16th-century silver coin but this year the evidence appears to focus more on the 17th century. Two copper alloy coins were found, one each at Crathes and Castle Fraser, and both appear to be coins called turners (2 pence) of Charles I from 1632–39.’

17th-century coin uncovered during archaeology events at Castle Fraser and Crathes Castle

A number of pieces of chipped flint suggest prehistoric activity in the area, although a squared-off piece was clearly a gun flint, from a flintlock musket.

Dr Rhodes continued: ‘The mid-17th century was a volatile time in the north-east. Following a peaceful surrender, the Marquis of Montrose camped his royalist army at Crathes in 1645. And sometime between 1653 and 1655 Castle Fraser was attacked by Oliver Cromwell’s General Monk as he suppressed royalist supporters. The concentration of broken window glass around Castle Fraser may be a result of this destruction.’

In addition to the coins and glass, artefacts recovered during the excavation included 19th-century pottery and quantities of 18th-century wine bottles, roof slates and nails.

“It’s great to see so many people come out and take an active part in their heritage. In addition to the protection and promotion of our properties, the Trust is keen to provide engaging experiences and the last two weekends have proved a major success in involving the public in what we do, for the love of Scotland.”

Dr Daniel Rhodes, Trust archaeologist

Public dig uncovers war relic from General Monk’s attack on Castle Fraser

Ancient handprint from 'lost' ancient civilisation discovered

Archaeologists are racing to rescue a building with handprints from one of Europe’s ‘lost people’ – the Picts – before it is swallowed by the tide.

The Picts were a group of tribes who spoke a now-extinct language and lived in parts of Scotland in the late Iron Age and Early Medieval period.

The Smithsonian says the Picts are often described as ‘Europe’s lost people’ because their writings have not survived, and only a handful of sites have been found.

The site located on the Orkney Islands has revealed a sooty imprint of what is believed to be a coppersmith’s hands and knees, which may be 1500 years old.

Dr Stephen Dockrill, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Bradford, said an analysis of crucible fragments and the floor deposits demonstrated that a coppersmith worked in the building.

“The analysis of the floor enables us to say with confidence where the smith worked, next to a hearth and two stone anvils,” he said in statement.

“The biggest surprise came when we lifted the larger stone anvil and cleaned it; we could see carbon imprints of the smith’s knees and hands.”

The small cellular building, dating to a period between the 6th to 9th century AD, was semi-subterranean.

It was entered via steps and a curved corridor, which would have minimised the amount of light entering the smithy.

Scientific analysis at Bradford will reveal what was on the smith’s hands to produce the prints and explore reasons for their remarkable preservation.

Ancient handprint from 'lost' ancient civilisation discovered

Archaeologists stumble on Neolithic ritual site in Suffolk

Archaeological work near Woodbridge in Suffolk has revealed the rare remains of a Neolithic wooden trackway and platform.

The waterlogged timbers were found towards the end of an 18-month project carried out in advance of the installation of underground cables to connect ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm to the National Grid. During the initiative – overseen by Wardell Armstrong, with help from Suffolk County Council, Archaeology Solutions (Bury St Edmunds), Archaeology Wales, and Cotswold Archaeology – more than 50 sites along the 37km route were unearthed, but the trackway is one of the rarest and best-preserved finds.

Since February a team of over 70 archaeologists has been working to unearth the 30m-long wooden trackway and platform, which date to 2,300 BC. As the site lies next to natural springs, the perfect anaerobic conditions were created to allow for the preservation of the organic material.

To continue to maintain such delicate finds requires careful conservation. As Kate Batt at Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service explained, ‘Because organic finds of this age are so rare and vulnerable when exposed, they needed to be kept wet during excavation. The features containing the organic material have been flooded every night, and the archaeologists continually sprayed the wood to keep the trackway preserved as they worked.’

Other finds alongside the remains speak of the wooden surface’s importance to the prehistoric people who built it. These include an aurochs skull, found next to the platform, which appears to have been cut in such a way as to suggest it was affixed to a pole or possibly used as a form of headdress. As it was radiocarbon dated to c.4,300 BC, the aurochs had died 2,000 years before its repurposed skull was placed next to the track, possibly indicating that it had some cultural significance.

Richard Newman, Associate Director at Wardell Armstrong, said, ‘Undoubtedly this is a site of international archaeological significance. It is exceptionally rare to find preserved organic materials from the Neolithic period, and we will learn a great deal from this discovery. Some of the wood is so well preserved we can clearly see markings made by an apprentice, before a more experienced tradesman has taken over to complete the job. Initially some of the wooden posts looked like they were maybe 100 years old, and it is incredible to think that they are over 4,000 years old.’

Now that the project is nearing an end, the new discoveries will be recorded and stored for further analysis.

As Kate added, ‘Together with some of the other finds over the last two years, we hope that important artefacts can be displayed by local museums following completion of the analysis. The entire archaeological archive will be deposited with Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, to ensure that the material remains available for future study.’

Archaeologists stumble on Neolithic ritual site in Suffolk

The ancient London mulberry tree threatened by a block of luxury flats - and the fight to save it

It always puzzled me that there are no ancient mulberries to be found in my neighbourhood of Spitalfields, the centre of London’s silk industry from the 16th century. 

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So I was delighted when I was taken to visit the Bethnal Green mulberry, a gnarly old specimen which, in local lore, is understood to be more than 400 years old and is believed to be the oldest tree in the East End of London. 

I found it a poignant spectacle to view this venerable black mulberry. Damaged by a bomb in the Second World War, it has charring still visible upon its trunk which has split to resemble a Barbara Hepworth sculpture. Yet, in spite of its scars and the props that are required to support its tottering structure, the elderly tree produces a luxuriant covering of green leaves each spring and bears a reliably generous crop of succulent fruit every summer. 

Little did I know that this encounter with such a remarkable mulberry would lead me all over London to visit its fellows in a quest to understand the significance of these ancient trees. Or that it would bring me back again to the East End to confront the controversy that has arisen over the Bethnal Green mulberry which could result in it being uprooted from the earth. 

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The ancient London mulberry tree threatened by a block of luxury flats - and the fight to save it

Aancient coins found in the grounds of a Northumberland school are worth more than £11,000

A hoard of silver coins has been found buried in school grounds near a medieval castle in Northumberland.

The 128 coins were discovered by the caretaker, who was using a metal detector in the grounds of Warkworth Church of England Primary School.

The school is near Warkworth Castle, once the seat of the powerful Percy family.

The coins date from the 15th and early 16th centuries, covering the reigns of Edward IV, who became king after victory in the Wars of the Roses and Henry VII, the first monarch of the House of Tudor who won the throne when his forces defeated King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

The coins were declared as treasure and have been valued at more than £11,000 by the British Museum, which did not take up the option to buy them.

They have been divided between the finder and the landowner, the Diocese of Newcastle.

On Wednesday, September 13 the 66 diocesan coins will be sold by Newcastle auctioneers Anderson and Garland.

They comprise groat and half-groat coins from the reigns of the two monarchs, plus nine Charles the Bold coins from the 1460s.

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Charles the Bold was ruler of Burgundy in France and on good terms with Edward IV. The rulers agreed that the Burgundian coins could be legal tender in England.

The chairman of the school governors, John Hobrough, said: “The coins were found by the school caretaker who was given permission to use the metal detector. We have kept it under our hat to a certain extent.”

Andrew Agate is Newcastle-based finds liaison officer for the North East for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, to which such discoveries are reported

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Aancient coins found in the grounds of a Northumberland school are worth more than £11,000

Joint Campaign Launched in UK to Invite Visitors to Ireland's Ancient East

A joint campaign has been launched in the UK by Stena Line and Tourism Ireland which will be seen by over 3 million people.

The new campaign invites people to stir their soul and travel Fishguard-Rosslare to enjoy a short break in Ireland.

Highlighting the country’s Ancient East including counties such as Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny, the campaign targets the ‘culturally curious’ audience across Britain. The campaign includes radio ads, which will reach over 1.73 million listeners in London, South West England and Wales and online ads.

Diane Poole OBE, Stena Line’s Travel Commercial Manager Irish Sea South said: “Through the launch of this new campaign in association with Tourism Ireland, we hope to inspire people to stir their soul and visit Ireland whilst highlighting the ease of access when travelling by ferry. Through the advertising channels we have invested in, it is expected that over 3 million people will be able to see the promotion of Ireland’s Ancient East.”

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Britain added: “We are delighted to partner with Stena Line and Rosslare Europort once again, to maximise the promotion of the Stena Line service from Fishguard to Rosslare. Our aim is to boost car touring visitor numbers to the South East and Ireland over the coming months; visitors who bring their car on holidays tend to stay longer, spend more and are more likely to visit more than one region.”

Joint Campaign Launched in UK to Invite Visitors to Ireland's Ancient East

Study reveals ancient monks had wild side

New research has shed light on 16th and 17th century Catholic monks in England and Wales who rebelled in more ways than just their faith.

A study conducted at the University of Durham found some got into trouble for drinking too much, one died in a duel and another joined a monastery after accidentally killing his brother.

Speaking about those who broke monastery rules concerning alcohol, Dr James Kelly told Premier: "They weren't actually banned from drinking but, at particular times, they would follow a fasting routine.

"This meant cutting back on certain food, particularly meat but also alcohol. We do have a couple of cases where monks rebelled against this."

One was William Davies, or Brother Marcus, who was imprisoned in a monastery granary for refusing to obey rules on abstaining from alcohol.

The Monks in Motion project also concluded that there were around 900 Benedictine monks in England and Wales during the two hundred year period. The figure is higher than previous estimates of around 600.

The men travelled to continental Europe where they became monks and founded monasteries, before returning to Britain to carry out their ministry.

Dr Kelly added: "It is a significant increase and it means that they're a pretty well-represented minority opinion within English catholic circles certainly, but also a voice within the English religious elements."

Catholicism was effectively illegal from the reign of Elizabeth I to 1791 - during the so-called Penal period. Catholic monks risked being hung, drawn and quartered.

Another monk noted in the research was John Mannock (Brother Anselm) who turned to religion after accidentally dropping a cannon ball which killed his brother.

Monks in Motion brought together records from locations including Ampleforth Abbey, Downside Abbey and Douai Abbey (pictured above).

Study reveals ancient monks had wild side