Preface to issue 44
Camertonia 44 (2006)
Excavations at Blacklands are spectacular, with a more complex picture emerging almost weekly. The addition of Robin Holley to the team has brought additional expertise. John Oswin’s geophysics team has continued to amaze and Lectures and Excursions have been well attended. Reference to the tragic death of Clive Peacock whose obituary is on p 44.
Blacklands 2005
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 3 – 8.
After five years of investigation, the evidence from Blacklands challenges orthodoxy by suggesting an unusually early date for a highly Romanised settlement in rural Somerset.
Tell Brak in Upper Mesopotamia
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 9 – 11.
A chance posting to a remote part of the Syria in 1999 provided fascinating insights into the world of ancient Mesopotamia.
Paulton Villa – the Geophysical Surveys
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 12 – 15.
The exact location of Paulton Roman Villa, discovered by the Rev Skinner in 1818, has now been established but the geophysical survey has raised some interesting questions.
A Roman Villa at Combe Down
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 16 – 17.
BACAS is always finding new Roman villas, but this is the first description of one which doesn’t actually exist. But from reports and a large number of artefacts stashed in different museums, the author has assembled all that is known.
Dogs, Foxes, Bears and Beer
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 18 – 19.
Investigating the area around the Bradford on Avon Roman Villa has revealed features of an earlier Iron Age landscape.
Lower Row Roman Villa
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 20 – 24.
Heroic sessions of geophysics have produced some fascinating results at Lower Row Villa, adjacent to the Society’s main site at Blacklands in Hemington.
Roman Pottery Kilns at Short Street
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 25 – 26.
The discovery of pottery kilns at Short Street may be significant for the understanding of pottery found at other Romano-British sites in the area.
From Batch to Badcox
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 27 – 28.
The fields around Upper Row Farm are being intensively surveyed and their secret history is gradually being revealed.
Big Roman Dig
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 29 – 30.
BACAS produced a timely find to excite the interest of the Time Team TV special and was famous for fifteen minutes.
Breaking Boundaries: The Buckland Charter of AD951
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 31 – 33.
The clues to deciphering an Anglo-Saxon charter, wrongly attributed for centuries, can be found in the landscape around Buckland Dinham.
BACAS study tour to Pompeii
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 34 – 35.
In September 2005 the Chairman, Bob Whitaker, organised a trip to Pompeii. The Group Leader was Tom Barklem. The cartoon is by Sally Phillips, the line drawings by Sandra Hewitt and the photographs by Jude Harris and Sally Phillips. The following are a series of short reports. Herculaneum by Helen Beckwith. Vesuvius by Kay & Les Yeomans. Pompeii by Helen Beckwith, Sally Phillips & Sandra Hewitt. Herculaneum & Pompeii by Mary Huntley and Keith Turner. Naples Museum by Sandra Hewitt. Opiontis Villa by Jeff Adams. The Flavian Amphitheatre by Helen Beckwith. Solfatara Volcanic Crater & Paestum by Jeff Adams, Sandra Hewitt and Helen Beckwith. Farewell to Pompeii and retrospective by Mary Huntley. My trip to Pompeii – a poem by Anonymous with apologies to Julie Andrews and Rogers and Hammerstein.
Cartoon. Study Group Leader Tom Barklem
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 35.
Caption; ‘I’ve had several requests. but I am still going to give you all a short talk after dinner’.
Another Roman Villa at Star
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 36.
Additional investigations at the Star Roman Villa site in the Vale of Winscombe have revealed more buildings.
Excursions Reports 2005
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 37 – 42.
Salisbury and Old Sarum. Full report here by Ann Martin. ‘in spite of the weather.’ Led by John Chandler. Crickley Hill Fort, Witcombe Roman Villa & Woodchester Mansion ‘Three for the price of one – an offer even Tesco can’t match!’, Dave Ladbrook. Led by Peter Entwhistle. Norton St Philip Village Walk led by Marek Lewcun. ‘A glorious Spring evening..’ by Mike Lewis. Combe Down in the rain – again! By Malcolm Aylett. Report starts with a repeat of last years’ report; ‘Rain, rain, rain. We huddled under the churchyard yew trees..’ Led by Kirsten Elliott. Edington Priory Church. Full Report by Beryl Brooks. Led by Graham Laslett ‘we soon realised that he loved every stone in the building and indeed could indentify each stone by its mason’s mark’. Gloucester Cathedral & Historic City Tour. Full Report by Joy Lawley. Led by Susan Hamilton a.m., and Phil Moss p.m. Ashen Hill & Priddy Nine Barrows Cemeteries. Full Report by Edward Thompson. Group led by Chris Richards. The trip ‘comprised some mild exercise with very enjoyable mental stimulation’.
Geophysics Day, 31st December 2005
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 43.
Mulled wine helped twelve people brave dismal weather to have a try with the geophysics kit.
Discovery of well or water cistern at Tellisford, Somerset
Camertonia 44 (2006) pp. 43 – 44.
Detailed comment here on the location and possible history of this well. (See also p 37 Camertonia No 45 2007)
BACAS Fundraising Drive
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 44.
The campaign to replace the ageing geophysics equipment.
Obituary. Clive Peacock 1946-2005
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 44.
Bath Library Displays 12 -17 July & 13 -18 September
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 45.
Bob Whitaker and Rebecca Brown mounted two displays at the Bath Library. The Kingswood Collection, Peart Farm and Blacklands mentioned here.
Cartoon. Open Days are here again.
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 46.
The pleasures and travails of Open Day at Blacklands as observed by Sally Phillips.
Book Reviews
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 47.
Bob Whitaker on ‘A History of the Byfield Mine, Combe Down’ by Richard Irving. Georgina Hawke (age 11) on ‘The Amazing Pop-Up Stonehenge’ by Julian Richards. Also ‘The Roman Villa at Combe Down’ by Malcolm Aylett – see article in the main section of this journal, pages 39-40
Excursions planned for 2006
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 48.
22 April, Knook Down. 20 May, Freshford Village. 13 June, Bathampton Down. 4 July, Hinton Charterhouse Priory. 29 July, Chedworth, Cirencester and Corinium. 12 August, Marlborough. 16 September, Charterhouse on Mendip.
Lectures planned for 2006-2007
Camertonia 44 (2006) p. 48.
2006. 12 October, ‘Consideration of BA metalwork find-spots in SW Britain’, F Stevens. 9 November, ‘After Roman Britain: who were the early Anglo-Saxons?’, Dr H Geake. 14 December, ‘An introduction to Stone Tool Technology’ (with flint knapping demonstration) K Lee. 2007. 11 January, ‘The Weobley Castle Project’, Dr G Nash. 8 February,’ Excavations at Upper Row Farm and updates on Projects by the Society’, J Lawes, followed by the AGM. 8 March, ‘Deconstructing the Durotriges’, M Papworth.