Current Archaeology 150
The front cover shows a Neolithic pot uncovered at Billown, in the Isle of Man
Current Archaeology 150 was published in November 1996.
The leading article looks at the major new discovery of a Welsh prince's palace, a llys (pronounced leese) at Rhosyr, on the isle of Anglesey. We invite you to click here for a cyber tour of this fascinating new site.
In the century before the conquest of Wales in 1283, Welsh culture was flourishing. Several Welsh castles of this period survive, but of far more importance were the courts or palaces. None of these survives above ground, but last summer the first of these Welsh palaces was excavated at Rhosyr, in Anglesey. Already the periphery wall has been uncovered, and a number of buildings in the interior.
The Welsh theme continues with a major retrospective by Arnold Taylor the former Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments. When he first went to Conwy castle, in North Wales, as an Assistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments in 1935, he found the castle and town walls in a sad state of disrepair. Here he looks back at the changes in the last 60 years, with some amazing 'before' and 'after' pictures of the castle as it was 50 years ago, and as it is today.
A Roman vineyard at Wollaston, in Northamptonshire.
Were vines grown in Roman Britain? At Wollaston, on the banks of the river Nene, in Northamptonshire, Ian Meadows has been excavating some very odd farming practices, and he argues that they provide evidence for vine cultivation in Roman Britain.
Billown, Isle of Man
How did Neolithic 'ritual' sites originate? Professor Tim Darvill, of Bournemouth University, has just launched a major new project on a Neolithic site in the Isle of Man. Here he argues that it began in the Mesolithic, probably with a sacred tree (of which he found the root hole) and a nearby sacred pit (from which he derives his evidence). Subsequently the position of the tree was the focus of attention throughout the Neolithic.
Pershore Abbey
Pershore Abbey is one of the great surviving monastic churches, the choir and transepts having been purchased at by the parish at the Dissolution for £400. Excavations last summer in advance of underfloor central heating produced evidence for the Saxon predecessor.
And, of course, there are also the Books, Diary, John Musty's
Science Dairy - and the Letters page!
Previous issues
Current Archaeology 150
Current Archaeology 149
Current Archaeology 148
Current Archaeology 147: Special issue on the Hebrides.
The highlights of the 12 previous issues can also be found in these pages, listed under four main headings:
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This page last updated: 11th December 1996
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