Past Horizons Jan 09

Ad o p t - a- M o n u me n t

Jerash Survey

Putney Debates

Kolkata G r a v e y ar d

Past Horizons Online Journal of Volunteer Archaeology and Training Issue 6: January 2009

colo u r ing the pa st at el pil ar

Issue 6 January 2009 Editors: Felicity Donohoe & Maggie Struckmeier Layout: David Connolly & Maggie Struckmeier Past Horizons Traprain House Luggate Burn Haddington East Lothian EH41 4QA Tel: +44 (0)1620 861643 Email: [email protected] Find us on the web: www.pasthorizons.com  Contributors: James Bull Helen Bradley Dr. Anabel Ford Tom Addyman Annie Evans

12 Survey: Beyond the City Walls of Jerash

Surveying the hinterland of Jerash, an ancient Decapolis City in Jordan has become a race against time to discover and map as many sites as possible, many of which are being lost to development.

Front Cover: An artist’s rendition of “Archaeology Under the Canopy” at El Pilar

Note Past Horizons can give no endorsement of any listed project or guarantee the accuracy of the information supplied. The editors accept no responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained by anyone using the resources contained within this magazine and/or the websites mentioned herein. When considering a project, be sure to contact the director with any questions you might have about conditions, travel, health issues, etc. Check for references from previous participants, seek advice where possible and select a project that will be of the greatest benefit to you, the project and the team.

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32 Two Monsoons

Archaeologist and buildings historian Tom Addyman describes the past, present and future of the decaying Scottish Cemetery in Kolkata and the enormous task of surveying the six acre site.

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8 Putney Debates

A Scottish initiative that enables communities Re-enactment group the Tower Hamlets to interact with their local monuments to Trayned Bandes bring to life the 360th safeguard their future. anniversary of these historic discussions.

Contents

26 Adopt-a-Monument

Regulars 20 Colouring the Past at El Pilar

Dr. Anabel Ford describes a unique project that combines archaeology and conservation in the Maya forest amongst the ruins of El Pilar.

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Editorial

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News News stories from around the world.

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Dig Cook Annie Evans on culinary escapades, with a delicious recipe each issue.

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Profile Archaeologist Tom Addyman.

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Interested In... The study of textiles.

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Dig In Archaeological volunteer digs and field schools for 2009.

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Viewpoint David Connolly reflects on the crisis within commercial archaeology.

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Fun Page

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Tyzack

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tool r olls dr afting film r otring mechanical pencils blundell harling scale ruler japanese pot tery combs finds bags t y vek l abels m a sking tape indelible m arkers

editorial

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oing into 2009 most of us will no doubt be thinking about tightening our belts to get us through the credit crunch. So how do we pursue a love of archaeology when the cost to volunteers on an excavation can seem prohibitive? The notion of austerity tourism is creeping into people’s minds, so maybe we can practice a bit of austerity archaeology as well. A good starting place to indulge your passion inexpensively is to join your local archaeological society. Many societies have active excavation seasons and, when the weather is not so good, do finds processing and historical research, as well as offering lecture programmes throughout the winter months. Many members have years of experience and love to pass on their skills for the benefit of everyone. Some societies even operate affordable yearly field training schools. There may also be opportunities to volunteer in your area so getting in touch with the local museum is a good place to start. Find out what volunteer programmes they have in place, or ask your archaeology service if they can point you in the right direction, as there are often archaeological surveys taking place that need enthusiastic helpers. If you are lucky there may even be a community dig in your area. These are usually free to take part in and can be enormous fun. If you are studying archaeology at university you will need to participate in some field schools to gain the experience necessary to complete your course. This does not come cheap, however, and your university should be able to give you details about travel grant options. It is also worth considering some of the above suggestions as joining local societies and volunteering with museums might give you an edge over the competition when looking for work after your course has finished. If you still hanker after a trip to foreign parts there are some options that are available to you that will not break the bank. You might have to rough it a bit so be prepared to camp, wash in the river and eat simple food, but often this experience can beat all the luxuries that other, more expensive, excavations can give you. If you look at www.pasthorizons.com/worldprojects  you can browse through lots of excavation and heritage conservation opportunities, many of which are now accepting applications for the coming year. If you need some help choosing please don’t hesitate to email us for some advice at [email protected]. If you are a professional archaeologist and would like a busman’s holiday you may want to consider offering your services to an excavation. In return you may get your air fare paid and your expenses covered. This is quite a difficult one to achieve and requires a bit of work on your part, contacting excavation directors and sending out CVs, but if it works out it can lead to all sorts of exciting opportunities. I hope this has given you some food for thought, but keep in mind that if an expedition seems expensive to you, try to remember the huge cost involved in carrying out such an operation. Money received from volunteers goes towards offsetting that burden, contributes to the local economy and supports longterm research projects, most of which could not exist without your involvement. So please, if you can afford it, keep supporting them. For the rest of us, austerity archaeology here we come.

MaggieStruckmeier Maggie Struckmeier

[email protected] 

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news

ne w p y r a mid found in egypt

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gyptian archaeologists announced the discovery of the remains o f a p y r a m i d possibly built for an ancient queen around 4,300 years ago.

T h e pyramid, with only the lower portion intact, was found south o f C a i r o i n N o vember 2008. It was buried under 22 metres of sand in the des e r t n e a r t h e f a mous Step Pyramid of Saqqara and is thought to house the remai n s o f Q u e e n S e sheshet who was the mother of King Teti from the Sixth Dynasty. T h e original entrance t o the pyramid was sealed with large gr a n i t e b l o c k s f o r cing archaeologists to use an ancient robbers’ shaft to gain entry t o t h e b u r i a l c h amber. Wi thin it they found a huge sarcophagus. After five hours spent li f t i n g t h e l i d t h e y found the remains o f a body wrapped in linen. The only other o b j e c t s f o u n d i n the chamber were pottery and gold wrappings for the fingers of the m u m m i f i e d b o dy. T h is is the 118th pyramid to be found in Egypt and using the angle of t h e l i m e s t o n e b a se it was possible to d etermine that it was originally 14 metres hi g h . A r chaeologists had discovered two subsidiary pyramids for Teti’s pri n c i p a l w i v e s I p ut I and Khuit around a hundred years ago and it was assumed this i n t e n s i v e l y e x cavated site had been exhausted.

If you are viewing this magazine on PDFCOKE, then you will not be able to see the video. You can view it on either the full flip page version of the magazine: www.pasthorizons.com/magazine OR: on our dedicated video website: http://www.pasthorizons.tv/tv/view/273/newpyramid-discovered-in-egypt/

L eft: Face of King Teti past horizons

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I r on Age stele re v e a l s e a r ly e v ide nc e of be l ie f in t he s o u l

A team from the Oriental Institute, Chicago, working in southeast e r n Tu r k e y has discovered an Iron Age stone slab that provides the first writt e n e v i d e n c e i n the region that people believed the soul was separate from the b o d y. Read more: http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/081120/ironage.shtml 

ar chaeologists try to dat e t he Br od g a r m e g a l i t h s This season saw the antic i p a t e d r e - o p e n i n g o f P r o f e s s o r C o l i n R e n f r e w ’s 1 9 7 3 trenches at the Ring of B r o d g a r, O r k n e y. A l t h o u g h t h e d a t e h a s n e v e r b e e n s c i e n t i f ically confirmed, the imp r e s s i v e m o n u m e n t i s t h o u g h t t o b e 4 , 0 0 0 t o 4 , 5 0 0 y e a r s o l d . Read more: http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART62367.html 

Babylon Is Tar gete d in Pr oj e ct of W or l d M on um e n ts F u nd

The World Monuments Fund is launching a project with Iraq to pr e s e r v e t h e a ncient city of Babylon where King Nebuchadnezzar II (630-562 B . C . ) b u i l t h is hanging gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=apwIlJ7IbtWc 

Gl adiators to ‘Figh t ’ A g a in at R om e ’s Colo s se um

Gladiators are to return to the Colosseum almost 2,000 years afte r t h e i r bloody sport last entertained Roman crowds. Now five million pe o p l e w h o visit each year will experience “the sights, sounds and smells” ag a i n . Read more: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/06/gladiator-rome.html 

Germ an bat tlefield y ie l d s R om a n s u r pr i se s

Archaeologists have found over 600 relics from a huge battle betw e e n a Roman army and Barbarians in the third century, long after hist o r i a n s believed Rome had given up control of northern Germany. Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/01/05/germany.battlefield 

dna tr ack s ancien t A l a ska n ’s de s c e nda n ts

An ancient mariner who lived and died 10,000 years ago probably d o e s n ’t h a v e a ny close relatives left in Alaska. But some of them migrated sou t h a n d t h e i r d escendants can be found today in coastal Native American popula t i o n s . Read more: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/southeast/story/636254.html 

Current Archaeology, Cardiff University and the Natio n a l Museum Cardiff announce the 2nd annual Archaeolog y F e s t i v a l , 6-8 February 2009 Join us there: http://www.archaeology.co.uk  For more news stories that are updated constantly, try: Past Horizons News Blog:

http://pasthorizons.wordpress.com/category/news-and-articles 

Stonepages Weekly News and Podcast:

http://www.stonepages.com/news 

CBA Archaeology News Feed:

http://www.britarch.ac.uk/newsfeed 

Archaeologica:

http://www.archaeologica.org/NewsPage.htm 

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Pu tney D ebate s

Explaining the issues surrounding the Putney Debates

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All photographs: John Beardsworth

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Re-telling a forgotten past

by james bull

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etween 28th October and 9th November 1647, after the defeat of King Charles 1, soldiers and

officers of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army held discussions on the constitution and future of England. Known as the Putney Debates, these talks were farreaching and heralded the way for many of the civil liberties we value today. Should suffrage (a civil right to vote) be limited only to property-holders? Would democratic changes lead to anarchy? Should there still be a king or lords? This historic event, forced by the Leveller movement, saw ordinary soldiers take on generals to argue for greater democracy and to provide a platform for ‘common people’ to make their voices heard. continued 

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Pike charge

Debating the issues

B r i n g i n g t h e s e historic debates back to life, t h e To w e r H a m l ets Trayned Bandes re-enacted t h e e v e n t a s part of the 360th anniversary c e l e b r a t i o n s h eld at St. Mary the Virgin C h u rc h , P u t n e y, in October 2007. This marked o n e o f t h e k e y milestones in the development o f p a r l i a m e n t ary democracy in England a n d a c r o s s t h e world: the call for a written c o n s t i t u t i o n , universal (male) suffrage, a r e g u l a r t i m e t a ble for parliaments to sit, f r e e d o m o f c o nscience and equality before t h e l a w - t h e a genda of the radical political I n d e p e n d e n t s o r Leveller movement.

The congregation took commu n i o n t o t h e accompaniment of the soldiers, go o d w i v e s a n d children singing period psalms, a n d s i n g i n g continued in the churchyard, ju s t a s i t h a d 360 years earlier. Later in the a f t e r n o o n , a s the bells of St. Mary’s rang out, t h e r e g i m e n t provided a guard of honour for civi c d i g n i t a r i e s from the House of Commons in c l u d i n g t h e local MP and Black Rod, who a r r i v e d i n a replica of a seventeenth-century b a rg e .

T h e r e - e n a c t o r s set up a soldiers’ encampment i n t h e c h u r c h yard overlooking the River T h a m e s , a n d w hile the regimental goodwives s e t a b o u t c o o king food for the assembled c o m p a n y, t h e menfolk were placed on guard d u t y, p e r f o r m e d drill and a variety of other c h o r e s . O n t h e Sunday morning the group was i n v i t e d b y t h e vicar to join the parishioners a n d t h e i r g u e s ts in St. Mary’s for morning s e r v i c e . T h e r e adings were all associated with t h e D e b a t e s a nd included Colonel Thomas R a i n s b o r o u g h ’s poignant words (below) which h a v e r e s o n a t e d through the centuries: For really I think that the poorest he that is in England hath a life to live, as the greatest he; and therefore truly, sir, I think it ’s clear, that ever y man that is to live under a gover nment ought first by his own consent to put himself under that gover nment.

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The group aired the main points of t h e o r i g i n a l Putney Debates, with some soldie r s e s p o u s i n g the Leveller cause of widening t h e f r a n c h i s e while others argued for mo r e c a u t i o n . Throughout the weekend the pub l i c w a n d e r e d freely through the camp, stopp i n g s o l d i e r s and civilians to ask about the ba c k g r o u n d t o the event and the nature of mid - s e v e n t e e n t h century politics, and also about t h e w e a p o n s , equipment, clothing and ev e n c o o k i n g recipes. The actual Debates ended in fru s t r a t i o n f o r the Levellers, and their politica l m a n i f e s t o , ‘An Agreement of the People’, was n o t a d o p t e d by the Army when the Debates c o n c l u d e d i n November 1647. Nonetheless, th e d o c u m e n t contains much that we in the m o d e r n w o r l d now hold dear and some things t h a t w e s t i l l only aspire to. The Civil War was t o c o n t i n u e until Charles I was defeated again , p u t o n t r i a l in London on 1st January 1649 a n d e x e c u t e d on the 30th January. It was only i n 1 8 6 7 t h a t full male suffrage was achieved, a n d f e m a l e suffrage had to wait until 1928 i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom, but the starting point f o r t h i s a n d other political rights can be trace d b a c k t o t h e Putney Debates.

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The Levellers represented the aspirations of working people who suffered under the persecution of kings, landowners and the priestly class, and spoke for those who experienced the hardships of poverty and deprivation. They campaigned, first with Cromwell and then against him, for a political and constitutional settlement of the civil war which would embody principles of political freedom, anticipating by a century and a half the ideas of the American and French revolutions. Their ideals and beliefs are still with us today, and the principle of freedom of debate and social justice can be directly traced to this 17th century group.

Singing hymns

C o n n e c t i n g t h e past to the present was a h u g e l y e n j o y a ble experience for the ree n a c t o r s a n d public alike. Throughout the w e e k e n d t h e c h urchyard was filled with a large a p p r e c i a t i v e a udience, most of whom stayed f o r s e v e r a l h o urs to watch the story unfold, w i t h m a n y r e t u rning the following day. It was a n i m p o r t a n t experience for all those that e n g a g e d i n t h e occasion, where the reliving a n d r e - t e l l i n g o f the event on the anniversary o f t h e P u t n e y D ebates at its original location b r o u g h t n e w u n derstanding.

the new model army

The New Model Army created by Parliament in 1645 was a military force based on ability rather than on position within society. Cromwell preferred that the men were strong believers and, like himself, many became Puritans. It was not unusual for the men to sing psalms just before going into battle.

L i v i n g h i s t o r y displays such as this are e x t r e m e l y v a l u able, and although this display m a y h a v e l a c k e d the blood and thunder of loud m u s k e t r y d u e l s and clashing pikes, it offered a n i n t i m a c y o f contact with the public and the t i m e n e e d e d t o explain the complex issues of t h e p e r i o d . Wi t h real people interpre ting real l i v e s, t h e r e w a rds and benefits to those who a t t e n d e d w i l l r emain long after the tents have b e e n p u l l e d d o wn and the re-enactors return t o t h e i r 2 1 s t c e ntury lives. 

Find out more

The Putney Debates now has a proper monument at St. Mary’s Church where there is also a small permanent exhibition inside the nave. More information can be found at: http://www.putneydebates.com 

Get Inv olv ed

The Tower Hamlets Trayned Bandes was formed as a re-enactment unit by enthusiasts within the Sealed Knot. The regiment has gone from strength to strength and is regarded as one of the best units in the country. Members are dedicated to the goal of achieving authenticity, in both appearance and drill, while still offering the maximum enjoyment from the experience. Visit the website at: http://www.traynedbandes.org.uk 

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Survey: Beyond the City Walls of Jerash by Maggie Struckmeier & David Connolly

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e r a s h , o r G e r a s a a s i t w as once k n o w n , i s a n a n c i e n t D ecapolis C i t y s i t u a t e d o n t h e e a s t e r n frontier of t h e R o m a n E m p i r e i n n orthwest Jord a n . I t h a s b e e n s t u d i e d e x t e nsively over t h e p a s t h u n d r e d y e a r s b u t almost excl u s i v e l y w i t h i n t h e o l d c i t y walls. The t e a m r e t u r n e d t h e r e i n S e ptember 2008 t o c o n ti n u e a h i n t e r l a n d survey whic h s t a r t e d t h r e e y e a r s a g o , i n stigated by P r o f e s s o r D a v i d K e n n e d y of the Univ e r s i t y o f We s t e r n A u s t r a l i a . The m a i n g o a l o f t h e p r o j e c t is to reve a l m o r e a b o u t h o w t h e h i nterland of J e r a s h w a s u t i l i s e d t o s u stain a grow i n g p o p u l a t i o n m a d e wealthy on t h e p r o f i ts o f t r a d e f r o m t he Silk Road a n d s o u t h e r n A r a b i a . H owever, the m o d e r n c i t y i s n o w e x p a n d ing into these a r e a s a n d s o t h i s s u r v e y may be the l a s t c h a n c e t o l o c a t e u n d i s covered sites , s o m e o f w h i c h w i l l s o o n d i sappear fore v e r, d e s t r o y e d b y t h e d e v eloper ’s bulld o z e r. continued 

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This site forms a huge necropolis area which was purchased a few year damage through bulldozing, dumping of rubble on top of the burial area

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rs ago by the Department of Antiquities to save it from development. Unfortunately due to the lack of secure fencing it is sustaining much as and tomb robbing. The inset photograph shows a sarcophagus smashed under the weight of a huge dumped boulder.

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F r o m i n f o r m a t i on gained in the init ial 2005 s u r v e y w e k n e w the kind of sites we would be l i k e l y t o e n c o u nter. They ranged from various t y p e s o f t o m b s , quarries, cisterns, insc riptions, m a u s o l e u m s , olive and wine presses to a r c h i t e c t u r a l f r agments and mosaics. Given t h e la rg e a r e a that the small team needed to c o v e r, t h e p r i mary objective was to gather s u ff i c i e n t i n f o r mation as quickly as possible t o e n a b l e i n t e r pretation to take place. O n d i s c o v e r y o f a new site, a global positioning s a t e l l i t e ( G P S ) reading was taken, a unique i d e n t i f y i n g n u mber allocated and a survey f o r m f i l l e d o ut with a basic description, i n c l u d i n g t y p e o f site, condition and immediate t h r e a t , a l o n g with a quick sketch plan and m e a s u r e m e n t s . The site was photographed a n d , w h e n n ecessary, a surface artefact c o l l e c t i o n w a s undertaken, mainly ceramics in t h i s c a s e . T h e whole process could take about 2 0 m i n u t e s b e f ore the survey team m oved on. A m o r e c o m p l ex site, however, could take c o n s i d e r a b l y l onger, but it was important to r e m em b e r n o t t o get bogged down i n detail, t e m p t i n g t h o u g h it was. The hinterland in the immediate v i c i n i t y o f the city is filled with tombs, m o s t l y d a t i n g from Roman times when the popu l a t i o n w a s a t its largest. It is common to find t h a t a r o c k y limestone outcrop first used as a q u a r r y w a s then reworked into a site for buria l a f t e r w a r d s . We encountered simple rock cut g r a v e s , c a v e s with niches for sarcophagi or o s s u a r i e s , t o impressive monumental mausoleu m s c o m p l e t e with underground chambers inten d e d t o h o l d up to 30 sarcophagi which wou l d b e s e a l e d behind heavy limestone doors. S a d l y, a l l those we recorded had been rob b e d w i t h t h e internal spaces now being used a s s t o r a g e rooms or rubbish dumps, whils t o t h e r s a r e being destroyed by the new c o n s t r u c t i o n works which are taking place.

Limestone Roman water channel lying in a field at Wadi Deir

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Discovering stone inscriptions w a s a l w a y s exciting, and those located dur i n g t h e t w o seasons of work ranged from Gree k a n d R o m a n altar texts to an early Christian g r a v e s t o n e and a 13th century Abbasid text. O n e o f t h e most satisfying days for us was t h e r e s c u i n g of four Roman milestones, one o f w h i c h w a s previously unknown, lying amo n g s t r u b b i s h in an olive grove. Where poss i b l e , a l l o f these pieces were immediately r e c o v e r e d b y

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One of four Roman milestones that were rescued from an orchard in Wadi Deir

Decorated sarcophagus fragment embedded in the ground

Greek inscription found in City Walls

t h e D e p a r t m e n t of Antiquities of Jordan for p r o t e c t i o n a n d further research. B e y o n d t h e i m mediate vicinity of the city, the s u r v e y t e a m b e gan to discover an agricultural l a n d s c a p e t h a t consisted of olive presses a n d r o c k c u t wine production areas. One s u c h e x a m p l e , excavated 20 years before is s t i l l i n a n e x c e llent state of preservation and c o m e s c o m p l e t e with a mosaic floor, sadly n o w b e g i n n i n g to suffer from erosion. Some o f t h e t e a m a l s o came across a site that they c h r i s t e n e d ‘ t h e black cave’ becaus e of its s o o t - b l a c k e n e d interior. This large cave, c o n s i s t i n g o f a round 10 separate areas, was e x t r e m e l y d i ff i cult to interpret without further i n v e s t i g a t i o n as it had possibly started off l i f e a s a t o m b , then functioned as a wine or o l i v e p r o d u c t i on area and much later on as a d w e ll i n g , h e n c e the soot.

Finding a tiny stone child’s sarcophagus in a residential garden

A Roman pillar base built into a later terraced wall

A well preserved Roman olive press

Water had alw ays been important to settlements i n t hi s a r e a a n d the collection and storage of e v e r y d r o p w a s a big pre-occupation to the i n h a b i t a n t s o f Jerash. An impression of this i n t r i c a t e a n d widespread water management s y s t e m h a s b e g un to emerge from this survey, w i t h l a rg e r c i s terns and reservoirs feeding continued 

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Andrew Card prepares to photograph a rock cut tomb

Traditional Circassian building

Don Boyers draws the “black cave”

d o w n r o c k c u t channels or ceramic pipes e i t h e r d i r e c t l y into the city or diverted into s m a l l e r d o m e s t ic cisterns. In one such case, p i p i n g d i s c o v e red in a residential garden was s t i l l i n t a c t a l o n g with a perforated le ad cover t o s t r a i n t h e w a ter as it flowed into a rock cut s u b t e r r a n e a n t ank. A narrow circular opening w o u l d h a v e a l l owed buckets of clean water to b e l i f t e d t o t h e surface which were the n poured i n t o a w h i t e p l aster-lined basin for domestic u s e . T h e s e s y stems seem to have been used a n d m a i n t a i n e d from the Roman period right u p t o t h e f i n a l abandonment of Jerash some t i m e i n t h e m i d dle ages.

A twisted column lies amongst a bulldozed pile

a few remaining Circassian buil d i n g s d o t t e d around the city but these will quick l y d i s a p p e a r unless they are given some sort o f p r o t e c t e d status. Some of the field systems that the C i r c a s s i a n s turned from Bedouin grazing l a n d t o c r o p production are now under immed i a t e t h r e a t o f development in the Wadi Deir to t h e n o r t h o f

J e r a s h b e c a m e ruinous as a result of e a r t h q u a k e s , p l agues and a change in trading r o u t e s . F r o m the 16th century onwards the O t t o m a n s r u l e d Jordan but had very little c o n t r o l o v e r t h e outlying areas of the country a s t h e y w e r e only interested in protecting p i l g ri m a g e r o u tes to Mecca. By the late 1 9 t h c e n t u r y t he Ottomans decided to settle C i r c a s s i a n p e o ple from south eastern Russia i n t o J e r a s h t o help protect against attack f r o m t h e l o c a l Bedouin tribes. These people, w h o w e r e a l s o Muslim and seeking to escape r e l i g i o u s p e r s ecution, set about building h o u s e s f o r t h e mselves within the crumbling c i t y w a l l s a n d established the field systems t h a t c a n s t i l l b e seen today. There are still past horizons

David Kennedy examines a tomb entrance

Broken storage jars and light-coloured soil are some of the telltale sig

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t h e c i t y w a l l s . These fields hold many clues to a m o r e a n c i e n t past and are littered wit h Roman p o t t e r y, t e s s a r a and architectural fragments. W h i l s t i n v e s t i gating this area, two Greek i n s c r i p t i o n s w e re recorded, having apparently b e e n b u l l d o z e d onto waste ground as a result o f t h e c o n s t r u c t ion of a newly-opened medical c e n t r e . N e a r b y, an unusual octagonal sixth c e n t u r y B y z a n tine church sits unprotected i n a n o v e rg r o w n back plot, and its huge red g r a n i t e c o l u m n s, thought to have come all the w a y f r o m A s w a n in Egypt, lie forgotten in the o r c h a r d b e l o w. On the opposite side of the r o a d a o n c e g r and mausoleum, hidden behind a n e w l y - b u i l t h ouse, will soon be hemmed in b y d e v e l o p m e n t on its north and south side. T h e t e a m i s a cutely aware that the Jerash H i n t e r l a n d S u r vey is important in many ways, a n d a f t e r l o c a t ing over 450 sites so far in t h e m o s t t h r e a tened areas, there is still so m u c h t o d o . However, some of these sites w i t h o u t d o u b t need re-visiting and further i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , and it is important that this s u r v e y w i l l p r ovide information for those w h o w i s h t o c arry out further research on A mosaic forming part of an olive press complex, excavated 20 years ago but now needing conservation work t h e h i n t e r l a n d of Jerash, whether it is the f a r m i n g , t h e w ater management systems, the q u a r r i e s a n d i n dustry or the burial practices while others desperately need c o n s e r v a t i o n o f t h e p r e v i o u s inhabitants. Some need to work. Other sites simply nee d i m m e d i a t e b e e x c a v a t e d t o realise their full potential, protection by being fenced off s o t h a t t h e y cannot be plundered or used as d u m p s . It was extremely distressing to re t u r n t o f i n d that approximately 30 per cent o f t h e s i t e s that had been surveyed in 2005 h a d b e e n l o s t to development over the three i n t e r v e n i n g years, and many more will prob a b l y b e l o s t all too soon. Hopefully action w i l l n o w b e taken to protect some of these trea s u r e s b e f o r e it is too late, and a report with a p p r o p r i a t e recommendations has been hande d o v e r t o t h e authorities.

gns of recent tomb-robbing

Thanks are due to the Department o f A n tiq u ities of Jordan for allowing this sur v e y t o t a k e place, and it is hoped that the i n f o r m a t i o n provided in the report will be an i n f o r m a t i v e and useful point of reference w h e n l o o k i n g at the areas that are under imme d i a t e t h r e a t . There is still much of the hinterla n d t o s u r v e y and if funds permit the project w i l l c o n t i n u e to discover what lies beyond the c i t y w a l l s o f Jerash. 

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past horizons

Paul Sharman investigates a large rock cut tomb, now used for storage but under threat of collapse due to roadworks directly above

The full survey report will be published in the CBRL Bulletin and Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jorda n by the project directors Prof. David Kennedy and Fiona Baker (FIRAT Archaeological Services). The authors were part of the team which included Paul Sharman, Don and Ann Boyer, Andrew Card, Anne and Naomi Poepjes, with Abd al-Majeed Mujalli, from the Department of Antiquities.

Jerash Timeline

3200 - 1200 BC Jerash area already inhabited of Jerash shrank to around quarter of its by the Bronze Age previous size 3rd century BC Referred to as Antioch on the Chrysorrhoas

AD 635 A major earthquake destroyed much of Jerash and its surroundings

63 BC Roman conquest by Pompey

AD 746 The Artemis Temple (now a Muslim fort) was completely destroyed by Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem during the Crusades

AD 90 Absorbed into the Roman province of Arabia AD 106 Emperor Trajan brought more trade to the now flourishing Jerash by constructing roads throughout the region AD 129-130 A Triumphal Arch was built to celebrate a visit by Emperor Hadrian 3rd century AD Jerash starting to decline as a city along with the fortunes of the Roman Empire AD 400 Christianity has come to Jerash and many churches were built in and around the City AD 614 Moslem conquest, the population past horizons

AD 1400 After the Crusades the only mention of Jerash was by an Arab geographer, Yaqut in the thirteenth century who described it as a “field of ruins, completely uninhabited” AD 1808 Ulrich Jasper Seetzen, a German travelling through Jordan recognised a small part of the ruins as that of ancient Jerash. AD 1878 Circassians, escaping persecution in south east Russia, moved to Jerash and built homes within it’s ruins AD 1931 University-American School expedition to Jerash, under the direction of Dr. C. S. Fisher

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Jerash Hinterland Survey Berketeine Wadi Deir Chrysorrhoas river

Necropolis

Old City Walls

Wadi Jerash

Map of the Jerash Hinterland Survey area. The brown shaded areas represent the 2005 survey, while the green shaded areas represent the 2008 survey.

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past horizons

Colouring the

An artist’s rendition of “Archaeology Under the Canopy” at El Pilar

past horizons

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Past at El Pilar I

By Anabel Ford

magine how Frederick Catherwood and John Lloyd Stephens must have felt upon seeing the vine-wrapped, overgrown, abandoned cities and temples of the ancient Maya in their expeditions of the 1830s and 40s. Discovered only 25 years ago, the unique Maya site of El Pilar on the border of Guatemala and Belize offers that same experience: the monuments are still embraced by the forest, showcasing the Maya foliage as much as the Maya c i t y i t s e l f . We c a l l t h e s t y l e o f presentation practised at El Pilar ‘Archaeology Under the Canopy’, where the ancient monuments are protected by the natural habitat that envelops them.

continued 

Inset: A representation of the Maya ruins at Labna in Yucatan, Mexico, by Frederick Catherwood

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past horizons

C en t r a l M aya Lowl ands w i t h El P i l ar and other m a jor c en t r es indicated.

environmental management, and t h e e v e r y d a y people of the Maya civilisat i o n . P a r t i a l exposures offer glimpses of the m o n u m e n t a l architecture, while a fully ex c a v a t e d a n d consolidated house site, Tzunu ’ u n , e v o k e s everyday Maya life. In fact, everyday Maya life c a n s t i l l b e experienced in the surrounding v i l l a g e s o f El Pilar, where the rich cultural h e r i t a g e o f the Maya people has been main t a i n e d . T h e management model at El Pilar inco r p o r a t e s t h i s community, leading to a rewarding collaboration

A t i t s h e i g h t , this ancient city centre of El P i l a r h o u s e d o ver 20,000 people in a mosaic l a n d s c a p e o f city houses and gardens, s u r r o u n d e d b y forest and agricultural fields. I t h a s o v e r 2 5 identified plazas in an area o f a p p r o x i m a t ely 100 acres (38 hectares), r a n k i n g i t e q u al with major centres of the l o w l a n d M a y a region. It is the largest centre i n t he B e l i z e River area, more than three to f i v e t i m e s t h e size of nearby centres Baking P o t o r X u n a n t u nich. Protected today in Belize a n d G u a t e m a l a , El Pilar ’s temples and plazas a r e c o n n e c t e d by an ancient Maya causeway, s y m b o l i s i n g i t s potential to become the w o r l d ’s f i r s t a r chaeological peace park. I f E l P i l a r i s such a large, important site, w h y n o t e x p o s e its monuments? The ancient b u i l d i n g s a r e s heltered by vegetatio n, while s i m u l t a n e o u s l y encouraging an alternative f o c u s f r o m o t h er sites: the environment, life w a y s a n d l i v i n g culture of the Maya. Research a t E l P i l a r c e ntres on settlement patterns, past horizons

A Maya temple at El Pilar protected by forest vegetation (credit: Macduff Everton)

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w i t h t h e s t e w a r ds of Maya culture: traditional the past, telling us about life a r o u n d E l M a y a f a r m e r s . They Pilar at i t s h e i g h t . a r e k n o w n a s forest E t h n o g r a p h i c gardeners b e cause analogs have focused their a g r i c u ltural on the “ m i l p a ” a n d t e c h n i q u e s maize cultivation a c t u a l l y e n c o urage which a r e i m p o r t a n t biodiversity and aspects o f M a y a f o s t e r t h e g r o wth of land use. The the forest. contemp o r a r y M a y a forest gardeners, “ A r ch a e o l o g y Under howeve r, h a v e a t h e C a n o p y ” and range o f c r e a t i v e Maya agriculture may approac h e s that s e e m d i s c o n n ected. have traditionally I n r e a l i t y, t h e y are provide d for the thread connecting h o u s e h o l d H e a d a rc h a e o l o gist of El Pilar and director of ESP-Maya the past to the liveliho o d passed A n a b e l F o rd w i t h forest gardener Carmen Cruz at the Maya h o u s e s i t e T z u n u ’un p r e s e n t a n d f u t ure as down t h r o u g h t h e ( c re d i t : M a c d u f f Everton) r e s e a r c h e r s u n ravel generat i o n s . For t h e m y s t e r i e s of the example , t h e f o r e s t a n c i e n t M a y a . In practicing their traditional garden is an intensive poly-cu l t i v a t e d p l o t l i f e w a y s , t h e contemporary Maya inform that can be nurtured in a house y a r d o r i n continued 

Th e M a y a F o re s t G a rd e n a t E l P i l a r, s h o w c a sing the biodiversity of the Maya Forest and plants used by the Maya (cre d i t : B R A S S / E l P i l a r P ro j e c t )

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past horizons

View of the Maya Forest from El Pilar (credit: Macduff Everton)

a d i s t a n t a g r i c ultural field. A wide variety o f u s e f u l p l a nts are cultivated, supplying g r o u n d c o v e r, h erbs, shrubs, bushes, trees and p a l m s , p r o v i d i ng for food, spice, medicine, b e v e r a g e , c o n s truction and ritual needs to s a y t h e l e a s t . O ver 370 different plant species h a v e b e e n d o c umented in the forest gardens o f t he E l P i l a r area alone. With their heritage o f k n o w l e d g e of the multitude of plants and t h e i r u s e s , M a ya forest gardeners practice c o n s e r v a t i o n t hrough interaction with their environment.

Exploring Solutions Past: The M a y a F o r e s t Alliance teamed up with a gro u p o f M a y a forest gardeners to help preserv e a n d t e a c h Maya plant knowledge and land m a n a g e m e n t solutions. With the support o f B e l i z e ’s National Institute of Culture and H i s t o r y a n d in conjunction with the Ministry o f E d u c a t i o n they developed the Maya Forest G a rd e n a n d E l Pilar Coloring Book for the integ r a t e d h e a l t h education in primary schools t h r o u g h o u t Belize. The colouring book is d e s i g n e d t o connect children to their forest e n v i r o n m e n t and learn plant uses. They, lik e t h e f o r e s t C l e a r l y, M a y a heritage and agriculture are gardeners, will learn to be stew a r d s o f t h e l i n k e d t o t h e conservation of the Maya forest, ensuring the future of M a y a c u l t u r e f o r e s t a t l a rg e . The non-profit organisation and knowledge, as well as the Ma y a f o r e s t . One of the challenges of preserving the important cultural t r a d i t i o n s o f the Maya is educating t h e p u b l i c o n the merits of their tim e - h o n o u r e d approach that offers a n a l t e r n a t i v e direction for culti v a t i o n a n d conservation. With a f o c u s o n t h e everyday Maya peop l e , T h e E l Pilar Archaeological R e s e r v e f o r Maya Flora and Faun a i s a l i v i n g classroom where tou r i s t s , l o c a l s and researchers alike a r e l e a r n i n g . As a protected area w h e r e n a t i v e forest species can flo u r i s h a m i d s t the monuments, it pro v i d e s i n s i g h t into the ancient Maya l a n d s c a p e .

An a b e l F o rd m e e t i n g w i t h m e m b e r s o f t h e El Pilar Forest Garden Ne t w o r k i n B e l i z e ( c re d i t : L i s a U d w i n )

past horizons

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El Pilar also house s a n a c t i v e forest garden, maint a i n e d b y t h e El Pilar Forest Gard e n N e t w o r k , an organization of M a y a f o r e s t gardeners from the local community. Their i n v o l v e m e n t and presence at El P i l a r c o l o u r s the past with the vivid h u e s o f t h e i r gardens and Maya tra d i t i o n s . 

A short video introduction to the El Pilar project

If you are viewing this magazine on PDFCOKE, then you will not be able to see the video. You can view it on either the full flip page version of the magazine: www.p asthorizons.com/magazine OR: on our dedicated video website: http://www.pasthorizons.tv/tv/view/275/el-pilarmesoamerican-research-center

Get Inv ov led

W

e are involved with archaeologic a l s u r v e y a n d w o r k w i t h G I S , laboratory analyses, park manag e m e n t , c o m m u n i t y d e v e l o p m e n t a n d e n vironmental education. We welcome n e w i n s i g h t s w i t h o u r v o l u n t e e r s . O ur websites detail our multifaceted p r o j e c t . http://www.marcucsb.edu http://www.espmaya.org 

We also have an online application at t h e U C S B w e b s i t e . C o st: $2,500 including room and board D a tes: 15 April - 30 June 2009 F o r more infor mation about the El Pila r F o r e s t G a r d e n N e t w o r k g o t o : http://www.mayaforestgardeners.org 

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past horizons

Adopt a M

A dopt-a-Mon u m e n t t e a m e d u p w i t h t h e B re s s a y H i story Group and The SCAPE Trust to carry out an ambitious project to relocate and re c o n s t r u c t a n d e ro d i n g B ro n z e A g e b u rnt mound on the Isle of Bressay this summer. (Credit: Tom Dawson/SCAPE)

past horizons

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Monument A

Cowal Archaeological Society is managing sites along the Ardnadam Heritage Trail (an original Adopt-a-Monument project from the early 90s) with help from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

by helen bradley

rchaeology Scotland’s Adopt-aMonument Scheme has been running since August 2006 (re-launched due to popular demand after a series of projects in the early 1990s) and is supporting 11 volunteer groups across Scotland. Each project brings its own unique challenges and has been a rollercoaster experience, both for participating groups and for me, as Adopt-a-Monument officer. What’s it all about?

Monuments and this number is increasing. Other bodies, including the National Trust for Scotland and local authorities, also contribute to the management and interpretation of Scotland’s heritage. Despite this, many sites across the country remain in need of help. They may be at risk of vandalism, dilapidation and collapse, or are simply vanishing into obscurity under a blanket of vegetation. Furthermore, a wealth of sites are well-managed but lack interpretive information to explain their importance and possible meanings to visitors. Other sites are fabulous and really worth a visit, yet are almost impossible to get to.

The principle idea is simple; the scheme provides a supporting framework for societies who wish to do something active to care for local sites and monuments. There are plenty of communities already doing this all over Scotland, but many more would like to be steered in the right There are plenty of energetic and committed direction to get started. people with a desire to conserve and promote these sites, and Adopt-a-Monument offers some There are thousands of archaeological sites and of the building blocks that help feasible projects monuments across Scotland. Some of these are to become established. We facilitate a sort of in the custodianship of Historic Scotland. Over mutual back-scratching between community 8000 are protected under the Schedule of Ancient group and monuments; the community benefits continued 

Scol p a i g To w e r, N o r t h U i s t . A c c e s s A rc h a e o l ogy has adopted this Georgian folly with a view to interpreting and cons e r v i n g t h e b u i l d i n g . ( C o p y r i g h t J a m e s G e ntles Remote Camera Ltd.)

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past horizons

Coldingham Priory Community Garden: local school children have fun learning about metal detecting and geophysical survey as part of a project to develop and conserve the grounds of this Benedictine priory (The Friends of Coldingham Priory).

from new experiences and skills (and, on a good Projects follow the same basic structure, which day, has a lot of fun) and the chosen monument we have developed during the last two years and gets the help it needs. are continuing to improve upon as participating groups give feedback on their experiences. Deciding to take on the responsibility for caring for a site can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be difficult and complicated, given the minefield of legislation, permissions and funding that must be negotiated. This is where Adopt-a-Monument steps in. We also advocate a ‘lightness of touch’, helping to ensure that interpretation or access works are unobtrusive and reversible, and that conservation works are sensitively planned and implemented. what shape do these projects take?

Adopt-a-Monument tries not to impose value judgements on the communities we support, and prefers to hear from the public which heritage sites are important to them. Projects range, then, from the modest to the truly monumental, with 11 active ones spread across Scotland from Shetland to Arran and Harris to the Borders.

Rubh ‘ A n Te a m p u l l , N o r t h o n , H a r r i s . H a r r i s A rchaeology Group i s w o r k i n g t o c o n s o l i d a t e a n d i n t e r p re t t h e ruins of this M e d i a e v a l c h a p e l .

past horizons

Cromar History Group has adopted these Victorian lined mineral springs which were swamped with Rhododendron and decades of leaf litter. The original culverts draining the wells have been excavated and restored, and a waymarked route established from the nearby village of Logie Coldstone. A new bridge has been put in place and a leaflet is available to tell the story of the site.

The first step is to get together with the group and help them to identify what the site needs, whether it is further survey or research, conservation, access or interpretation, perhaps all of these. We then devise a project plan, putting the group in touch with everyone they need to consult including landowners and land managers. We support the identification of, and application to, funders and statutory bodies, as well as helping out with the details of health and safety, insurance and project promotion.

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Loca l s c h o o l c h i l d re n s e w a n a t i v e w i l d l f l o w er meadow around this inner city stone circle in Dundee, adopted by the Frie n d s o f B a l g a r t h n o S t o n e C i rc l e . ( C re d i t : M. Ritchie)

Sandwick

Bronze Age Bressay!

Rubh ‘an Teampull Chapel

Scolpaig Tower Poldhu Wells

SE Perthshire Stone Circle Trail

Ardnadam Heritage Trail

We hope to expand Adopt-a-Monument over the coming years, helping as many new groups as possible to take part. Local heritage has so much to offer from the perspective of education and life-long learning, tourism, and even promoting a sense of place and community. Lots of our groups are reaping the benefits already and are setting an example to the rest of the world about what community intervention can achieve for heritage protection.  Adopt-a-Monument is sponsored by Historic Scotland. To subscribe to the A-a-M Email Bulletin, contact Helen on: [email protected]

Balgarthno Stone Circle

Coldingham Priory Community Garden

SCAPE (Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion) is a charity that seeks to research, conserve and promote the archaeology of Scotland’s coast.

Kilbride Chapel Lyne Adam and Eve Stone

Map o f S c o t l a n d d e t a i l i n g t h e proj e c t s d i s c u s s e d i n t h i s a r t i c l e .

http://www.scapetrust.org  http://www.shorewatch.co.uk 

A d o p t - a - Monument

U n s t A rchaeology group, The SCAPE Trust a n d A d o pt-a-Monument worked to partially re c o n s t r uct and interpret this Iron Age site o n S h e t l and in the summer of 2007. ( C re d i t : Tom Dawson)

Lyne Kirkyard Project: Peeblesshire Archaeology Society adopted this rare ‘Adam and Eve’ memorial stone in 2006. It was recently conserved and returned to its original location. An ongoing programme of interpretation is being developed to tell the story of the stone and the kirk. (Credit: Trevor Cowie)

Save Saint B r i d e ’s Chapel (Arr a n ) h a s a d o p t e d t h i s e a r l y Med i a e v a l chapel. To g e t h e r with Strathclyde Building Pres e r v a t i o n Tr u s t a n d A d o p t - a Mon u m e n t t h e y h o p e t o c o n s e r v e and i n t e r p re t t h e r u i n s a n d adjo i n i n g g r a v e y a rd .

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past horizons

The ax i a l p a t h s o f t h e c e m e t e r y w h i c h c o n t a i n c rumbling obelisks of brick and plaster Right: T h e j o i n t S c o t t i s h a n d I n d i a n s u r v e y t e a m at the entrance to the Scottish Cemetery All ph o t o g r a p h s b y S i m p s o n a n d B ro w n A rc h i t e c ts

past horizons

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Two M onsoons Sur ve y and analysis of the S co t t i s h Ce me ter y, K olk at a by Tom A dd ym a n

C

al cu t t a ( n ow Ko l k a t a ) w a s l o n g th e p r in c ip al c it y o f th e Ho n o u r ab le Eas t In dia Company f r o m w h i c h t he B r i t i s h t e r r i to r ie s i n In d ia w er e r u le d . I t b e ca m e a great tr ading ce n t r e t h r ou g h w h i c h t h e r i c h es o f th e s u b -c o n tin e n t flo w ed – in d ig o , jute, t ea and, no tor i o u s l y, o p i u m, t h e l a t t e r d e s t i n e d fo r th e m a rk e ts o f Ch i n a. Dr aw n to th is vas t, di seas er id de n a n d a l i e n l a n d we re e n d l e s s w a v e s o f tra d e rs , a rt is an s , s o ld ie r s, m iss io n a r ies, colonial ad m in i st r a t o r s a n d a d v e n t u r e r s – a n u n u su a l p ro p o rt io n o f wh o m w e re S co ts . I n t h e w a ke of th e Fi rs t Wa r o f In d e pe n de nc e (or I nd i an M ut in y, d e p en d i n g o n o n e ’s p e rspe c t ive ) Cal c u tt a b e ca m e th e B ri ti s h i mp e ri a l c a pi ta l , a r ol e it f ul f i ll e d u n ti l i ts re p l a c e me n t b y N e w De l hi i n 1 9 1 2 . H ow e v e r th e le g a c y o f th e B r it i sh Indi a n p as t i s s ti ll c e nt r a l t o th e c it y ’s c ha r a c te r a nd t h er e a r e ma n y u n s u s p e c t e d a r c hi t e c tu ra l s urvi va ls – g r ea t pa l ac e s , c h u rc h e s , b ro a d b o ul e va rds a nd f or t i f i c a t io ns … . a n d c e me t e ri e s .

j ungl e 20 fe e t high. T he m onum e nt s a n d sto n e s a re vi si bl y broke n a nd de c a ye d. Th e c e m e te r y, whic h i s a ra re gre e n s pa c e i n a de ns e ly - p o p u la te d a re a of Kol ka ta , s e rve s no use ful pu r p o se f o r t h e c it y, the loc a l popula t i on or t he rela t iv e s o f th e

I n t he e a r ly da y s o f t h e Br it i s h R a j ‘t w o mons oons ’ w as th e e xp e ct e d l i fe -s pa n o f a E u r op e a n i n India an d s u c h e xt r a or di n a ry le v e l s o f mo r ta l i ty a re r ef l ec t e d i n th e c o lo n i a l c e me t e ri e s throughout t h e su b- co nt in e n t . So m e o f t he m o s t fa s c ina t ing ar e i n C a lc ut ta . T h e So u th Pa rk St re e t c e m e te ry i s a w on dr ous ne cr o po l i s o f o v e rs i z e d m onum ent s u n de r a ca n opy of t ro p i ca l ve r d ur e , w hi le t he Sc ot ti s h a nd D i s s e nt e rs ’ C e me t e ry, o n ly a s tone ’s t h ro w a w a y, i s li t tl e k n o wn - a n o v e rg r own a nd i m p as sa b le w il de rn e s s i n t h e h ea r t o f t h i s t e e m ing m et r o po li s o f 12 mi ll io n p e o p le . E ng u l f e d by th e m o de r n t ow n s c a p e w it h i n a poor, d en s e l y- p a ck e d mi x e d M u s l im a n d Chri st i a n n ei g hb ou r ho od , t h e Sc o tt i s h C e me t e ry li e s u n fr eq ue nt e d a n d a l mo s t fo rg o tt e n , s c re e ne d b eh i nd i ts e nc lo si n g w a ll . As o n e e n te r s t hrough t h e a t tr a ct iv e oc h re -w a s h e d g a t eh o u s e t he e ye i s m et b y a s c e n e o f d e s o l a ti o n – g l im p s e d through t h e u nd e rgr ow t h hu n d re d s o f mo n u me n t s i n e ve ry s t ag e of de ca y a n d c o ll a p s e , b u rs t a p a rt by longes t a bl is h e d r o ot s y s t e m s o r s i mp l y s w a m pe d by s t ra n gl in g u nd e rgr o wt h . O n ly a l on g t he princ i pal ax i a l p a th w e r e s o m e o f t h e mo re be a uti ful s u rv i v a ls to b e s e en – c ru m b li n g o b e l is ks of bri c k an d p la s te r. D es p i te th e e ff or t s of t h e c a r e ta k e r, w h o l i ve s wit h h i s f a mil y in t he a rc h e d g a t e h o us e , t h e c e m e te ry i s d e r e l ic t a nd o v e rgr o wn w it h s n a k e -i nfe s t e d

pe opl e who a re buri e d the re . It ha s b e c o m e a g r e a t burde n for St Andre w’s Churc h, up o n w h i ch th e S c ot t is h Ce m e te ry - a nd t he c hurc h i n g e n e r a l - is de pende nt , a nd i s a m a tt e r of c once r n f o r th e c ity a nd st a t e a ut horit ie s . Ye t i t is a n e x tr a o rd in a ry re c ord of t he li ve s of ge ne ra ti ons of S c o t s, a p a r t of S c ot l a nd’s he ri t a ge ove rs e a s a nd su re l y a s ite for w hi c h pre s e nt da y S c otl a nd sho u ld f e e l s o m e re spons ibi li t y. continued 

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Steve Wa l l a c e o f t h e R C A H M S u n d e r t a k i n g f o r m al photography of the cemetery architecture

nov ember 2008 field investigat ion U n d er the auspices of the newly-formed K o l k a t a S c o t tish Heritag e Trust (KSHT), in N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8 a joint team from Scotland a n d I n d i a

undertook the first stage of the project to save the cemetery – a preliminary field investigation to assess the extent, condition and history of the site and its monuments, work that will underpin the development of a detailed strategy for their restoration. T h e s i x - a c r e c e m e t e r y w a s c l e a r e d o f u n d e rg r o w t h over a period of two weeks. The site was strangled with vines, the occasional clump of banana palm and general jungle, amongst which a number of m a t u r e f r a n g i p a n i , b a n y a n s a n d o t h e r l o n g e restablished tropical trees were retained for the canopy they provide. The site investigation involved a team of 10, with members from Simpson and Brown, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical M o n u m e n t s o f S c o t l a n d ( R C A H M S ) , C o n t i n u i t y, and The Highland Council. The team undertook an intensive, week-long site assessment and recording exercise.

Kenny e n j o y i n g a w e l c o m e c u p o f s w e e t t e a

past horizons

In order to ensure that the monuments in the cemetery were recorded systematically and consistently, a standardised recording methodology was established prior to the field recording exercise. Drawing upon current practices in cemetery recording, this involved the creation of standardised monument recording sheets, d e v e l o p e d s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r t h i s p r o j ec t f r o m a w i d e range of sources. For each monument a variety of information was recorded, including materials, condition assessments and a transcript of the

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i n s c r iption. A corresponding database w a s a l s o c r e a t ed in order to store and allow interr o g a t i o n o f a l l the information collected from th e f i e l d s u r v ey of the monuments. With such a l i m i t e d t i m e in the field a 20% sample of the ce m e t e r y w a s recorded in detail, with further ta rg e t e d e x a mination in other areas. e volution of the cemetery T h e cemetery was established in the 1 8 2 0 s a n d from then until c1940 was the pr i n c i p a l b u r y i ng place for generations of Ca l c u t t a b a s e d Scots, Bengali members of t h e S t A n d r ew’s congregation, Welsh and othe r N o n C o n f ormists. Prior historical research in v o l v e d t h e examination and transcription of e x i s t i n g r e c o rds for the site including the Regi s t e r o f I n t e r nments, which records the names o f t h e m a n y hundreds of Scots who died fa r f r o m h o m e and are buried there. Well over 9 0 % o f t h e n ames are recognisably Scots – nam e s l i k e A n d erson, McGregor, Campbell and Ross . M o s t o f t he others are Bengali, like Banerj e a a n d M u k erjee. A n early 20th century cemetery pla n a l s o s u r v i ves, and from this it is apparent t h a t t h e c e m e tery has over 1600 burial plots. I n m o s t a r e a s these were laid out in regimented r o w s . H o w ever, notable irregularity in their posi t i o n i n g t o t h e NW suggested this might have be e n t h e e a r l y nucleus of the cemetery. continued 

Recording and photographing the condition of the graves under the watchful eye of the local inhabitants

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A sand s t o n e t o m b w i t h h i g h Vi c t o r i a n g o t h i c d e t ail

Inset: A marble tomb c arved in Moghul

A m o ngst the vast variety of headsto n e s a n d Vi c t o r i a n g o t h i c d e t a i l . F r o m t h e l a t e r 1 9 t h c e n t u r y m o n uments it is onwards white marble p o s s ible to discern was increasingly used, a very marked monuments often c h r o n o l o g i c a l becoming recumbent e v o l ution of rather than erect. m o n ument type. H o w e v e r, t h r o u g h o u t T h o s e of the earlier the cemetery there 19th century are are oddities: one g e n e rally classicallymonument formed i n s p i red, built of of glazed terracotta b r i c k and finished blocks, elaborately with elaborate enriched with acanthus m o u l ded detail in scrolls; a marble tomb l i m e plaster. These carved in Moghul c o n t ain inscription S o m e o f t h e n a m e s of the monumental sculptors who had style; high crosses of i n s e t s of imported c a r v e d t h e i n s c r i p t i ons on the gravestones Aberdeen granite and l i m e stone, lettering many others. Many f i n e l y cut. Mid 19th century monuments a r e o f t e n m o n u m e n t s b e a r t h e n a m e s o f t h e m o n u m e n t a l o f a buff-coloured, fine-grained sandst o n e v e r y s c u l p t o r s w h o h a d c a r v e d t h e i n s c r i p t i o n s , n a m e s s i m i l ar to York st one and apparently also i m p o r t e d s u c h a s L i n d e m a n , D o w l i n g , S h a m i a n d L l e w e l y n – t h e se are both of classical inspiration a n d h i g h & C o . T h e l a s t i s s t i l l i n b u s i n e s s i n t h e c i t y.

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fa m ily history T h e most striking and, for many, the most i m p o r t a n t a s p e ct of the cemetery is the gen e a l o g i c a l i n f o r mation it contains. Inscriptions tell a w e a l t h o f h u man stories, many of which are pecul i a r t o t h e C a l c utta situation. There is also great po i g n a n c y ; there is also great poignanc y - so m any e xpired at such a tender age.

s o m any expired at such a tender age – c h i l d r e n , y o u n g wives, young sailors and company o ff i c e r s , m o s t victims of the pestilential sub-co n t i n e n t a l c l i m ate. Recorded graves include tho s e o f a G l a s gow iron-master named Boyle; the d i r e c t o r o f t he Calcutta Zoological Gardens; off i c e r s o f t h e Honourable East India Company; M r J a m e s W h e atley, police constable, ‘who was m u r d e r e d i n t he execution of his duty’, 1844; T h e R e v. J o h n Adam ‘late Missionary to the he a t h e n … ’ , n u m erous jute workers, a tea planter, an A m e r i c a n s a i l o r, Anglo-Ind ians and an occasional d i s s e n t i n g We l s hman. The towns, villages and s h i r e s o f o r i g i n are scrupulously recorded: Duffus , P a i s l e y, B r o u ghty Ferry, Sutherlandshire, Inver k e i t h i n g , F i f e , Campbeltown, and many from the D u n d e e a r e a , the major processing centre for B e n g a l jute. T h e cemetery project has stimulated con s i d e r a b l e i n t e r est both in India and in Scotland. In S c o t l a n d t h i s has been on many levels from go v e r n m e n t d o w n, and from local history archives , f a m i l y h i s t o ry groups and family members hopin g t o

trace the burial place of their forebears. In one such case it was possible to relocate a grave f o r r e l a t i v e s w h o h a d h a d n o k n ow l e d g e o f i t s whereabouts for over 70 years. A photograph album held at Dundee archives contains mid 20th century images of 25 individual graves. These were relocated on site in 2008 and recorded, the comparison providing a striking measure of the extent of decay and physical d a m a g e t o t h e s i t e i n t h e i n t e r v e n i ng y e a r s . t he c e m e t e ry sinc e 1 9 5 0 The Scottish Cemetery seems to have been m a i n t a i n e d t o t h e e a r l y 1 9 5 0 s . E a r ly p h o t o g r a p h s of that time show the grass beginning to grow up but otherwise the site is well preserved. In the intervening half-century the site was only occasionally cleared and in later years became w h o l l y o v e rg r o w n . R o b b i n g o f m a t e r i a l s f r o m g r a v e s o c c u r r e d . L e a d i n s e t le t t e r i n g w a s systematically but very carefully removed from inscriptions throughout the site, all cast iron has now gone and stone robbing took place in isolated areas. The most severe physical damage to monuments has been caused by invasive r o o t s y s t e m s , a n u m b e r o f i n d i v i du a l s t r u c t u r e s simply having ‘exploded’. The brick and plaster m o n u m e n t s s u ff e r e d t h e w o r s t f r o m t h e e ff e c t s o f general weathering, many now little more than crumbling rubble piles. In the 1980s a number of monumental inscriptions were removed for their own protection and relocated at the South Park S t r e e t C e m e t e r y. continued 

Recording gravestone inscriptions

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T w o m on s o on s The plight of such European cemeteries came to the public’s attention in 1976 with the publication of Two Monsoons; The Life and Death of Europeans in India by Theon Wilkinson MBE, who went on to found the British Association for Cemeteries (BACSA) in South Asia. Over the last 30 years BACSA has effectively spearheaded the conservation of this important element of cultural heritage, working closely with Indian NGOs and local communities in the restoration and maintenance of cemetery sites. For more information see: http://www.bacsa.org.u k 

Drawi n g t h e m o n u me n t s

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t he future T h e data gathered in November 20 0 8 w i l l e n a b le the production of a condition su r v e y a n d c o n s ervation plan for the Scottish Cem e t e r y. A d e t a i led programme of required work s a n d a b u s i ness plan for the setting up of a tr a d i t i o n a l c r a f t s training fa cility will follow.

It is the intention that the general recording exercise should be extended to take in the remainder o f t h e c e m e t e r y i n 2 0 0 9 - 1 0 . D e t a i l ed r e c o r d i n g o f individual monuments will continue as the repair programme progresses, and the general database successively upgraded.

T h e project cannot hope to be successfu l w i t h o u t t h e support and partnership of authori t i e s a n d g r o u ps in Kolkata and, very importa n t l y, t h e p e o p le of the surrounding neighbourhoo d . L o c a l c o n t acts are being strengthened and co m m u n i t y i n v o lvement developed. It is hoped t h a t t h e t r a i n ing in the use of traditional mater i a l s w i l l p r o v ide career opportunities for local t e e n a g e r s a n d increase the skill base for those wo r k i n g o n t h e r epair of traditionally-built structures t h a t c a n b e a pplied throughout the city.

It is hoped that, over the duration of a decade or so, this extraordinarily evocative site can be restored for the benefit of the local population and for those wishing to explore the fascinating legacy of generations of Scots who died on Indian soil. To m A d d y m a n i s t h e f i e l d d i re c t o r o f t h e s u r v e y t e a m t h a t f o r m s p a r t o f t h e K S H T, c o n c e i v e d b y J a m e s S i m p s o n a t t h e re q u e s t o f G M K a p u r, d i re c t o r o f t h e C a l c u t t a C h a p t e r o f t h e I n d i a n N a t i o n a l Tr u s t f o r A r t a n d C u l t u r a l H e r i t a g e ( I N TA C H ) . I t i s a j o i n t v e n t u re de v e l o p e d w i t h and undertaken on behalf of the KSHT by Simpson a n d B ro w n A rc h i t e c t s o f E d i n b u rg h , i n p a r t n e r s h i p with the RCAHMS and Kolkata-based Continuity A rc h i t e c t s .

I t i s intended that the recording data from t h e 2 0 0 8 s i t e a ssessment be made publicly availabl e t h r o u g h t h e Trust’s and the RCAHMS websites, w i t h t h e p r o j ect archive to be lodged in the N a t i o n a l M o n ument Recor d of Scotland in Edinbu rg h , p a r t o f t h e RCAHMS. The K olkata Scot tish Heritag e Tr u s t

The KSHT was established in 2008 to commemorate and to build on the historic links between Scotland and India, with the setting up of the Kolkata Scottish Cemetery Project as its first task. This ambitious conservation project has the following aims: 1. To maintain the Scottish Cemetery as a managed green space which can be a ‘lung’ for the surrounding pop ulation. 2. To research and record the cemete ry and thereby improve the understanding of the sit e, its history and its genealogical importance. To make this information readily available. 3.

To restore the cemetery buildings and as many of the monuments as possible.

4. To establish a centre for training traditional building skills necessary for the repair and restoration of the monuments as well as of the traditional buildings of Kolkata.

how can you help? To date, the Kolkata Scottish Cemetery Project has been entirely supported by charitable contributions, and further progressed by the donation of professional time. The support of individuals and sponsoring bodies must clearly continue if the aims of the project are to be successfully achieved. If you wish to help or are interested in being kept informed of future progress please contact The Kolkata Scottish Heritage Trust, c/o Simpson and Brown, St Ninian’s Manse, Quayside Street, Edinburgh EH6 6EJ, United Kingdom. The trust is a charity registered in Scotland (Charity No. SC0039917). Some weblinks http://scottishcemeterykolkata.wordpress.com  - the blog for the 2008 expedition http://www.simpsonandbrown.co.uk  - Simpson and Brown Architects’ website http://www.rcahms.gov.uk  - RCAHMS website

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W Annie Evans The Dig Cook

Recipes for Archaeologists

hile dinner is th e h i g h l i g h t o f t h e culinary day, n o c o o k w o r t h h i s or her salt can afford t o t r e a t l u n c h a s mere routine. When th e t e a m c o m e s i n , hot and hungry from t h e f i e l d , t h e r e h a d better be something o n t h e t a b l e t h a t pleases their palates a n d k e e p s t h e m going through the afte r n o o n . Getting lunch right r e q u i r e s c a r e f u l judgment and a fine b a l a n c e . To o h e a v y and hearty a meal r u n s t h e r i s k o f making everyone dro w s y w h e n t h e r e ’s still plenty of work to b e d o n e . I aim to make lunch d i s h e s i n t e r e s t i n g but avoid putting out a m e a l t h a t r e q u i r e s a lot of energy to dige s t . T h e r e ’s a l w a y s plenty of food on the t a b l e b u t n o n e o f it is dense with subst a n c e – i f y o u g e t what I mean. A great big, full-of - e v e r y t h i n g s a l a d with a tasty dressing i s t h e c e n t r e p i e c e .

tomatoes. This is dressed with either a good vinaigrette or quite simply with o l i v e o i l a n d r e d w i n e vi n e g a r w i t h a l i t t l e s a l t a n d p e p p e r. I m a k e , n o t b u y, a v a r i e t y o f d i p s s u c h a s h u m m u s , t z a t z i k i , t a r am a s a l a t a , a n d perhaps eggplant, beetroot, capsicum and garlic dips served with lots of fresh, crusty local bread. There are things t h a t a d i g c o o k w i t h a l a rg e t e a m t o f e e d s i m p l y d o e s n ’t h a v e t i m e t o f i d d l e w i t h but if you are fortunate enough to have a food processor on hand making dips is easy and very rewarding. Dishes I serve for lunch include pickled beetroot, potato salad, chickpea salad, rice and tuna salad and often an egg and bacon pie (quiche) or frittata. Savoury bread and butter pudding is also a favourite with my teams as well as zucchini pie and many variations on the old reliable quiche. Frittata can be made with baked pumpkin, zucchini, potato and maybe leftover meat o r c h i c k e n f r o m t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t ’s d i n n e r. Pasta is also a great standby for lunch, either cold in a salad or hot in pastitsio or carbonara. I u s u a l l y m a k e a l l o f t h e s e d i s h e s i n l a rg e pans so that they can be cut into slices. I prefer to cut these myself, as that way I can regulate portions and ensure that everyone gets their share. In addition to all of the above, there is always a vegetarian option.

This is made up of w h a t e v e r g r e e n s a r e available locally, plu s f i n e l y - s h r e d d e d cabbage, herbs such a s m i n t , p a r s l e y, coriander, celery, sh a l l o t s , r e d s a l a d onions, lightly steam e d b e a n s , f e t t a , olives, oregano (pref e r a b l y f r e s h , b u t dried will do), bean s p r o u t s , c u c u m b e r, red or green capsicu m ( p e p p e r s ) a n d

The Dig Cook’s website http://www.digcook.com 

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T h e t a b l e i s c o m p l e t e d w i t h l a rg e p l a t t e r s of seasonal local fruit and pitchers of cold water for hard-earned thirsts. T h e m e a l i s s i m p l e b u t t h e r e ’s e n o u g h variety on the table at lunchtime to ensure that everyone goes away happily with stomachs that are full but not overloaded.

ba con a nd e gg pie For six

pa s t ry 250 g (8 oz) plain flour 125 g (4 oz) butter cut into cubes and chilled 2 egg yolks pinch of salt small quantity of iced water 1 beaten egg for glazing

Method

R u b butter through flour until it resem b l e s f i n e b r e a d c r u m b s o r p u t in a food processor and pulse to co m b i n e . A d d e g g y o l k a n d p u l se then add one tablespoon of iced w a t e r u n t i l m i x t u r e c l u m p s t o g ether. Add a little more water if too d r y. F o r m i n t o a b a l l , w r a p i n plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 m i n u t e s . R o ll prepared pastry to fit a 22cm flan t i n , m a k i n g s u r e i t g o e s u p t h e sides to for m a well for the filling. L i n e w i t h b a k i n g p a p e r a n d add a weight such as dried beans. B a k e f o r 1 5 - 2 0 m i n u t e s a t 1 6 0 degrees Centigrade (300 degrees F a h r e n h e i t ) R e move paper and beans, increase temp e r a t u r e t o 1 8 0 d e g r e e s C e n t i g r a d e ( 3 5 0 d e g r e e s F a h r e n h e i t ) a n d bake for 10 more minutes. Remove f r o m t h e o v e n , s e t a s i d e a n d m a k e f i l l i n g .

fil l ing 75g (3 oz) butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 brown onions, finely chopped 150g (5 oz) bacon, rind removed and finely diced 2 teaspoons chopped oregano or 1 teaspoo n of dried 2 teaspoons of chopped chives Half a teaspoon ground nutmeg 6 eggs 300ml (half pint) cream 250g (8 oz) grated tasty cheddar salt and pepper

Method

M e lt butter and oil in a frying pan and s a u t é b a c o n u n t i l c o o k e d b u t s t i l l s o f t . Tr a n s f e r b a c o n t o a b o wl. Add chopped onions to the pan a n d c o o k g e n t l y u n t i l t r a n s p a r e n t . I n a large bowl beat the eggs until fluff y a n d s t i r i n c r e a m , h e r b s , n u t m e g , s a l t a n d p e p p e r t o t a s te. B r ush base of pastry with beaten egg, a n d a r r a n g e b a c o n a n d o n i o n o v e r i t . C a r e f u l l y p o u r c r e a m m i xture until the dish is full. Sprinkle w i t h g r a t e d c h e e s e a n d b a k e a t 1 8 0 d e g r e e s C e n t i g r a d e ( 3 50 degrees Fahrenheit) for 20 minute s . T h e n t u r n d o w n o v e n t o 1 6 0 d e g r e e s ( 3 0 0 d e g r e e s F a hrenheit) for a further 30 minutes or u n t i l t o p i s g o l d e n a n d t h e c e n t r e o f t h e p i e i s s o f t l y s e t . S e rve warm from the oven.

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past horizons

Profile

T

o m A d d y m a n l i v e s i n A rg y l l , Scotland, and is a partner at Simpson and B r o w n A r c h i t e c t s , E d i n b u rg h , w h e r e he i s i n c h a rg e o f t h e i r a r c h a e o l o g i c a l div i s i o n , A d d y m a n A r c h a e o l o g y. To m spe c i a l i s e s i n t h e a r c h a e o l o g y a n d ana l y s i s o f s t a n d i n g b u i l d i n g s b o t h in S c o t l a n d a n d f u r t h e r a f i e l d , a n d spe n d s m u c h o f h i s t i m e a d v i s i n g on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g , c o n s e r v a t i o n and p r e s e n t a t i o n o f b u i l d i n g s a n d arc h a e o l o g i c a l s i t e s .

Your first archaeological experience? Digging on the spoilheaps of the old man’s excavation at Chalton, Hampshire, age 2 (1969, see above). My first find, a fossilised sea-urchin - much more fun to lick than a small sherd of Anglo-Saxon pot. Top three essential items for travelling? Trowel, pith helmet, Imodium (a machete - not so good for travelling these days, but incredibly useful once you’re there…). What is the worst job you’ve done? Each for a variety of reasons…. On the Canadian border, using blow-torches within a bubble tent to soften the frozen soil before trowelling. Faneuil Hall, Boston, in mid winter, wet-sieving at about -10 degrees centigrade with finds and gloves freezing to the sieve. Memorably miserable. A site in Belize which suffered theft of equipment, archives and looting. Have you ever volunteered on an excavation and, if so, where? Yes, accidentally at a crannog site on Rousay, Orkney, on a biking trip. Copán, Honduras, for a short while helping to piece sculpted monuments back together. Cahal Pech, Belize, to dig a lordly tomb.

Have you had any near-death experiences? One or two. Nearly falling from a mountain side in the Faroe Islands; surveying mine-fields in Abkhazia (in retrospect, not necessarily advisable); the odd snake encounter... Until meeting one, I’d never heard of a jumping tommygoff… What country do you enjoy visiting and why? Belize and Guatemala, particularly the rainforests, a wholly different world where self-reliance is a necessity. What gets you out of bed in the morning? My beautiful wife; a big stick; bouncing children. What historical character would you have liked to meet? Master James of Saint-Georges, purveyor of fine 13th century castles. What is your current obsession? Getting archaeologists and architects to talk to one another without the aid of sharpened implements. Eighteenth-century pottery. What is you best work achievement so far? Raising four children on an archaeologist’s lack of salary.

Do you have any heroes or heroines? The early antiquarians.

The work of disentangling historic buildings for The National Trust for Scotland.

What do you prefer – survey or excavation? Both enjoyable and challenging in their own ways, though much depends on the quality of site catering.

What new skill would you like to learn? Watercolour painting.

What book are you reading right now? Against a Dark Background by Iain M. Banks.

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If you weren’t an archaeologist what would you do instead? A bad novelist.

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t Birkbeck we offer a wide range of courses on all aspects of Archaeology & Egyptology, taught by people who are as passionate about the past as they are about sharing their expert knowledge with you. Archaeology & Egyptology Courses Part Time, Evening and Weekly Courses We offer a number of courses within the following awards:  MA Archaeology – 2 years Part time  Certificate HE The Archaeology of Britain  Certificate HE Ancient Near Eastern and Aegean Studies

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Archaeology modules include:  Society and Culture in the Roman Empire  Birth of a Nation: The Archaeology of England c.400-1540  Human Evolution  Discovering Archaeology: Studying the Past  Bioarchaeology – The Archaeology of Human Bones  Landscape Archaeology  Prehistoric Britain: New Ideas Thoughts & Theories  Art and Archaeology I: Prehistoric Art  After the Excavation: Archaeology from Processing to Publication  The Study of Artefacts  Kings over Everything: The Archaeology of Britain within the Roman Empire  London Bodies: An Introduction to the Study of Human Skeleton Remains

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MA Archaeology The MA Archaeology is designed to teach the methods and practice of contemporary archaeology. It is suitable for both volunteer and professional archaeologists. Our MA in Archaeology has been designed to fit around the lives of working people. Core course and options modules take place over the weekend and in one week slots. The MA course runs from October to July and is undertaken over two years on a part-time basis. Interviews for the MA in Archaeology are between July and September. For more information please go to: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/archaeology/ma_archaeology.html  T: 020 7631 6627 E: [email protected] For a copy of the new 2008/2009 prospectus please telephone 020 7631 6627 or 0845 601 0174 or go to:

www.birkbeck.ac.uk/ce/archaeology where you can enrol directly online by completing the online form beside each module description or by calling central enrolment on 020 7631 6651.

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Intere s ted i n t e xt i l e s Co u rse s F i b re I d e n t ification Workshop - West Dean College, UK Tr a i n s p a r t i cipants in the examination of the most important natural and synt h e t i c f i b r e s f o u n d i n t e x tiles. While the emph asis is on practical work, essential theory w i l l a l s o b e g i v e n . E x a mination methods presented include the use of the human senses a s w e l l a s t h e u s e o f t he microscope and stain tests. Dates: 29 June - 2 July 2009, Cost : f r o m £ 3 4 5 http://www.westdean.org.uk/site/conservation/profdev/pcip/pc_0905.htm 

Archaeological Textiles Studies in P e r u - C a l i f o r n i a I n s t i t u t e f o r P e r u v i a n S t u d i es Course includes hands-on experien c e i n t h e a n a l y s i s , w r i t t e n d o c u m e n t a t i o n a n d m u s e u m c onservation of archaeological texti l e s p e c i m e n s . S t u d e n t s l e a r n t o a n a l y s e t e x t i l e s p e c i m e n s , d ocument their features and make a s a m p l e r o f t h e a n c i e n t w e a v e s t h e y h a v e a n a l y s e d . Dates: 7 - 27 July 2009, Cost: $940 f o r 1 w e e k http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.php?page=10037&entrynumber=2282 

S e m in a r Textile Term inology in the 3rd and 2 n d m i l l e n n i a B C - C o p e n h a g e n , D e n m a r k I n the written records of the Mediterra n e a n a r e a i n t h e 3 r d a n d 2 n d m i l l e n n i a B C t h e r e a r e r e f e r e n c e s t o a complex terminology of textile s , t o o l s , t e c h n i q u e s a n d d e c o r a t i o n . H o w e v e r, t h e p r e c i s e meaning is often hard to interpret. T h e s e m i n a r a i m s a t i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h i s t e x t i l e t e r m i n o l o g y. Dates: 5 - 8 March 2009 http://ctr.hum.ku.dk/upload/application/pdf/f51d6748/web%20site%20text.pdf 

P u bl ic at ion Archaeological Textiles Newsletter ( AT N ) A twice-yearly publication for textile s , w h i c h h a v e b e e n f o u n d i n a r c h a e o l o g i c a l c o n t e x t s , d a t i n g f rom the Pre historic to the Modern A g e . G e o g r a p h i c a l l y, AT N c o n c e r n s i t s e l f m a i n l y w i t h t h e Old World textiles from Western Euro p e t o J a p a n . C u r r e n t l y i t p u b l i s h e s a u n i q u e c o m b i n a t i o n o f f eatured scientific articles and repor t s , n o t e s , q u e r i e s , r e v i e w s , r e s o u r c e s a s w e l l a s c o n f e r e n c e a nd event announcements. Subscript i o n f e e : € 2 0 http://www.atnfriends.com/index.htm 

S o c ie t ie s The Medieval Dress and Textile Soc i e t y - U K F ounded in 1991 with the aim of prov i d i n g a f o r u m f o r a l l t h o s e c u r i o u s a b o u t E u r o p e a n c l o t h i n g a nd textiles secular or sacred, from th e e n d o f t h e R o m a n E m p i r e i n w e s t e r n E u r o p e u n t i l 1 6 0 0 A D . The Society’s members are friendly a n d i n f o r m a l , n e w c o m e r s a r e a l w a y s w e l c o m e a n d s t u d e n t s a r e p ositively encouraged. Annual subsc r i p t i o n : £ 1 0 http://www.medats.org.uk/index.php 

The Textile Society of America P rovides an i nternational forum for t h e e x c h a n g e a n d d i s s e m i n a t i o n o f i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t e x t i l e s worldwide, from artistic, cultural, ec o n o m i c , h i s t o r i c , p o l i t i c a l , s o c i a l a n d t e c h n i c a l p e r s p e c t i v e s . Membership cost: $65 North America a n d $ 7 5 r e s t o f t h e w o r l d . http://textilesociety.org 

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D ig In

A selection of ar chaeological pr ojects ar ound the world

BELIZE – M AYA R E S E A R CH PR OGR A M The project is in its 18th year of investigating the ancient Maya city of Blue Creek. There are two week sessions for students and volunteers in May and June 2009. Cost: $1500 ($1200 for students) http://www.mayaresearchpr ogram.org/index.html  BOLIVIA - L A K E T I T IC A C A T E M PL E PR OJECT Help excavate an early Tiwanaku temple threatened by rising water levels and road construction. Students and volunteers welcomed between June and August 2009. Cost: €2400 for 28 days or €75 per day for informal volunteers http://www.heritageaid.com/index.htm  C YPRUS - T H E KA L AVA S OS PREHISTORIC PR OJECT The site of Kalavasos-Kokkinoyia dates to the late Neolithic. With its pits, subterranean chambers and connecting tunnels, its purpose still remains a mystery. Cost: £700. Dates: 6 April - 2 May 2009 http://www.uea.ac.uk/art/research/kalavasos  SOUTH AFRICA - H IG H A LT I T U DE O CCUPATIONAL SET TLEMENT SURVE Y Documenting all the historic and prehistoric features resulting from human activities along the high altitude regions of the western Soutpansberg for future research. Cost: R2400 (approx $320 dollars) per calendar month http://www.lajuma.com/ResearchIndexPage.htm  UKR AINE - A RT E Z I A N A R CHAEOLOGICAL E XPEDITION Excavate the ruins of the Bospor Kingdom town of Artezian in the Crimean Peninsula. It later became a Greek outpost and has produced many interesting finds from that era. Cost: €40 per day. Dates: 15 June - 1 September 2009 Email: [email protected] (no website) ENGL AND - W H I T E H I L L R OM A N V I L L A AND L ANDSCAPE Volunteers are involved in the excavation of a Romano-British villa concentrating on structural elements of an estate bath house. No experience necessary. Cost: Free (donations welcome). Dates: 1 5 June - 10 July 2009 http://www.whitehallvilla.co.uk/index.html  UNITED STATES - A L L E NDALE PALEOA MERICAN E XPEDITION Volunteers can register for a week or more and help excavate one of North America’s most ancient archaeological sites associated with several prehistoric chert quarries. Cost: $466 per week. Dates: 4 May - 6 June 2009 http://www.allendale-expedition.net  GREECE - T H E H E L I K E PR OJ E CT Ancient Helike is on the southwest shore of the Gulf of Corinth where many Hellenistic buil dings, an Early Helladic settlement and a Late Classical cemetery have been found. Cost: €550 per week (minimum stay two weeks). Dates: 29 June - 7 August 2009 http ://www.gaiaocean.geology.upatras.gr/labs/tektoniki/erevna/helike_2006/index.htm  ISR AEL - J A F FA E XC AVATIONS Excavations will continue within a large Hellenistic housing complex and also seeks to identify layers associated with an Egyptian fortress of the Late Bronze Age. Cost: $500. Dates: 28 June - 7 August 2009 http://www.antiquities.org.il/jaffa  More projects can be found at http://www.pasthorizons.com/worldprojects 

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Viewpoint crisis, what crisis?

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owards the end of 2008 commercial archaeology around the world sta rted to feel the squeeze. As a commercial archaeologist myself, I have looked on in shock as field archaeologists are being made redundant on an unprecedented scale. The downturn in the world economy has seen housing and infrastructure developments slow to a near standstill. Commercial archaeology is inextricably linked to this kind of development and has become viewed by developers as a contamination to be removed as quickly and cheaply as possible, and has done nothing to promote the positive benefits that archaeology can bring. This negative view of archaeology has had a knock-on effect within the archaeological community itself and has produced companies whose business it is to help remove the contamination. This is not the archaeology that most of us want to be involved in and indeed by its very nature has seen the public excluded from participation. The r easons for this lack of involvement are due to pressures from developers themselves: ‘health and safety’, ‘client confidentiality’, ‘inappropriate’, ‘only under controlled conditions’ , these are the explanations that are commonly given to justify exclusion of the very people whose support is badly needed to give archaeology an added value to society. So, with so many out-of-work archaeologists and a public who obviously want to be involved, how do we bring about a change? How do we give archaeology a value? The answer has to lie in archaeology as a tool for education. For example, a pilot project is being rolled out by Archaeology Scotland in the county of Midlothian for training in schools. This is in its infancy but already thoug hts and discussions are leading to calls for expanding this to day schools for both children and adults, and for creating a series of field schools around the country for people who want to learn the theory then put it into practice. This presents exciting possibilities for the future which could see archaeology brought back into the public domain and give professional archaeologists, sick of the cynicism that prevails in the commercial world, a chance to use their skills for the good of society. Of course, commercial ar chaeology is never going to go away and it would be foolish to assume that the public can be involved to any great extent in this area. Things did seem to be different when I was working on commercial developments in York in the 1980s, though. It was common practice then to allow public access, put on a display and construct a gantry for the public to view the excavation with someone taking the time to explain what was happening. Maybe archaeologists have to take some of the blame for this recent attitude being allowed to develop where the profit motif has taken over. However, the external pressures have been immense, to do the job as quickly and as cheaply as possible, and not let the archaeology get in the way. It is no surprise, then, that the public element has been squeezed. However, there have been recent notable exceptions to this with commercial companies such as L-P Archaeology creating a public element to their Prescott Street excavation, and Headland Archaeology holding master classes as part of the M74 road project. This shows that it is still possible to do but it takes a desire and a will. So, what might the future hold for archaeology as we start 2009? I for one am excited about the possibilities. Harsh as it may seem, the world economic problems have allowed us to take stock, do some soul-searching and come up with some potential solutions. We have transferable skills which can benefit many people and for this reason we should be able to present archaeology in a way that excites and educates, and this, I am sure you will agree, can only have a positive outcome.

DavidConnolly David Connolly is director of British Archaeological Jobs and Resources (BAJR) www.bajr.org 

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Fun Page... archaeology can be fun...honest Quotes for ar chae olo g i s ts Taken from the BAJR s i t e h u t

A c o uple of Biblical quotes to start with: “Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set”. (Proverbs 22:28) “He who digs a pit will fall into it”.

( E c c lesiastes 10: 8, showing that even th e B i b l e a c k n owledges Sod’s Law) John Wa l f o rd

W h i l e w o r k i n g o n a l a rg e s i t e i n London and becoming increasingly h a c k e d o ff a s t h e m o n t h s w e n t b y, i t seemed that I was being asked to dig m o r e t h a n m y f a i r s h a r e o f t h e l a rg e features. While others were working in groups, digging ankle deep gullies, I was digging quarry pits, alone!

I sa w t his a t t he start of the sci-fi show A n d rome da…

One of the books I was reading at the time during the lunch breaks provided a quote that still stands out and sums up my memories of that site.

“Those who do not learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to r epeat them....and those who don’t learn their history, well they are just doomed” .

“The reward for toil had been more toil. If you dug the best ditches, they gave you a bigger shovel”.

( Te r r y P r a t c h e t t ’s C a r p e J u g u l u m)

S e e ms to sum up the nature of our profe s s i o n .

Austin Ainsworth

Dirty D a v e L i n c o l n

“What you call hell, he calls home”.

C o l o n e l Tra utma nn in First B l o o d’, c omme nti ng on the fact t h at R a mbo i s a bi t of a masochist a nd l o v es f uti le wa tching briefs in t h e p * ss ing r ai n and sleet on the S co t t i sh Bor der s. Bier Keller

F r om T h e Good, T he Bad and The Ugly: “There ar e two kinds of people in this world, my fr iend; those with loaded guns and those that dig. You dig”.

A l w a y s se eme d to me to sum u p t h e rel at ionshi p between a r ch a e o l ogi sts a nd developers. Curator Kid

The professor ’s calculations were obvious l y w r o n g

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