Happy New Year! Our cover story takes us to Snettisham in Norfolk, where a single field has yielded at least 14 Iron Age metalwork hoards. This unique collection has the potential to transform our understanding of ancient artistry and ceremonial practices – and, with analysis of the hoards now published in exciting detail, we explore what has been revealed.
From long-buried metalwork to long-buried stories, we next examine what archives and archaeology can tell us about female experiences and aspirations in medieval England and Wales, drawing on a new exhibition that defies stereotypes of women leading marginal lives during this period.
Remaining in the Middle Ages, we then learn what Berwick-upon-Tweed’s largest modern excavation has revealed about this influential border town and how it was defended during episodes of bloody Anglo-Scottish conflict.
Pausing for refreshment, our next feature traces the evolution of oast houses, their role in the history of brewing, and their residential afterlife.
Our penultimate piece draws on a site visit to Caistor St Edmund, where long-running investigations continue to reveal evidence of the Iceni people who once inhabited this landscape, and the cultural impact of contact with Rome.
We close with a short follow-up to last month’s feature about the excavation of a monumental Roman building at Carlisle. In CA 418, we explored ideas of its construction being inspired by an imperial visit by Septimius Severus. Now, we discuss what historical evidence says about the emperor’s itinerary.
Finally, I would like to flag that this issue contains Joe Flatman’s 100th ‘Excavating the CA archive’ column. A marvellous milestone – thank you, Joe!
In This Issue:
FEATURES
FIELDS OF GOLD
Understanding the Snettisham Hoards
The Snettisham Treasure comprises at least 14 caches of Iron Age
metalwork recovered from a single Norfolk field. What have years
of conservation and analysis revealed about this unique collection?
VANISHED VOICES?
Tracing female experiences and aspirations in medieval England and Wales
Medieval women are often stereotyped as leading limited lives, but archival and archaeological evidence provide a more nuanced view.
UNDER THE INFIRMARY
Revealing the secrets of medieval Berwick
An excavation in Berwick-upon-Tweed has revealed previously unknown parts of its 13th-century defences and echoes of its medieval inhabitants.
HOPPING THROUGH THE HISTORY OF OAST HOUSES
From 19th-century brewing sites to luxurious living spaces
We examine the buildings used to dry hops for British beer production, and explore their architectural afterlife.
ICENI UPDATES
Expanding our understanding of Venta Icenorum
Drawing on a summer site visit, we share the latest news from the Caistor Roman Project and its excavations outside the walls of Roman East Anglia’s most important town.
SEARCHING FOR SEVERUS
Did a Roman emperor visit Carlisle?
CA 418 reported on the excavation of a lavish Roman building with possible links to Septimius Severus. This month, we consider historical evidence for the emperor’s activities in northern Britain.
LETTERS
Your comments, complaints, and compliments
NEWS
Traces of Glencoe Massacre revealed at Achnacon; Medieval mass burial found outside Leicester Cathedral; Tracing the international food trade of Iron Age Ireland; Roman fort revealed in Pembrokeshire?; Section of Watling Street uncovered in London; Science Notes; Chalke Valley’s first-known Roman villa revealed; Finds Tray
COMMENT
Joe Flatman excavates the CA archive
CONTEXT
Digital data: Fishbourne Roman Palace
REVIEWS
Building on the Past: archaeological investigations on the N2/M2 Finglas to Ashbourne road project; Church Going: a stonemason’s guide to the churches of the British Isles; A Date with the Two Cerne Giants: reinvestigating an iconic British hill figure; An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo – archaeology, history, memory; British Pottery: the first 3,000 years – ceramic art in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age; The Rother Valley
MUSEUM NEWS
The latest on acquisitions, exhibitions, and key decisions
LISTINGS
Our selection of exhibitions and events, as well as historical, archaeological, and cultural resources from around the world that are available online
CONFERENCE
The latest details of Current Archaeology Live 2025,including the nominees for our annual awards
SHERDS
Chris Catling’s irreverent take on heritage issues
ODD SOCS
The Chance Heritage Trust
