‘By the Medway Marsh’ review

Thanks to Professor Neil Christie for this great review published in Medieval Archaeology Volume 66.2 (Dec 2022). By the Medway Marsh by James Gerrard and Guy Seddon is available to purchase here . A few kilometres north of Watling Street and close to the Roman town of Rochester in N Kent, excavations by Pre-Construct Archaeology at…

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Holocene Climate Change and Human Impact

Our Head of Environment Jane Wheeler is the first to publish an article this year, with a paper for the open-access journal Quaternary MDPI, co-written by Katherine A. Selby and Sally Derrett from the Universities of York and Sheffield respectively. The dramatically shifting climate of the early- to mid-Holocene period coincided with population expansion in…

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‘Form the Future’ careers event

Last week Sian (Finds, Environmental and Archiving Manager at PCA Cambridge) took part in a ‘Careers Carousel’ event at Swavesey Village College, with a presentation to five classes of Year 9s about archaeology as a career. ‘Form the Future’ is a community interest company set up to help young people discover exciting opportunities for the…

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An east end monkey…

We have an unusual find from a site in East London – the severed head of a monkey from a mid-19th-century context. Our animal bone specialist Kevin says “Its wisdom teeth haven’t erupted so it is probably less than 6 years of age but definitely more than 2 years. I think it is likely to…

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19th Century Band of Hope Temperance Medal

We recovered a white metal medal during recent investigations in Gloucester. These medals, 39mm in diameter, were awarded to those who took a pledge of abstinence from alcohol. On one side the medal reads “Band of Hope Medal – Prevention is Better than Cure – I Promise to Abstain from All Alcoholic Drinks as Beverages”.…

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Kickstart Scheme

Kickstart is a scheme implemented by the UK government to help create jobs for young people from the ages of 16-24. Historic England approached us with the scheme and with their assistance, we searched for potential applicants. We employed Lidia Kones via the scheme, who turned out to be such a helpful, quick learner, we…

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Surprise! A concrete bunker

Groundworks contractors in Plumstead have found an unexpected air raid shelter! Our evaluation trenches in different parts of the site had previously uncovered two phases of 19th century occupation.

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