Current Archaeology 423

Founded in 2005, the Culver Archaeological Project has for the last two decades been uncovering a fascinating Roman landscape – including an unusual enclosed settlement – beside the River Ouse in East Sussex. With the initiative now marking its 20th anniversary, we explore some of its key findings to-date.

Turning from a long-running excavation to a newly announced discovery, we then share the latest insights into the magnificent Melsonby Hoard, one of the largest Iron Age hoards found in the UK. Research into its hundreds of components has only just begun, but this collection – discovered half a mile from the Iron Age stronghold at Stanwick – is already shedding vivid new light on this period of Yorkshire’s past, and the wealth of some of its inhabitants.

Meanwhile, echoes of rather more recent elite activity have emerged at Attingham Park, a grand country residence and National Trust property in Shropshire. There, excavations have uncovered the remains of a long-forgotten ornamental garden dating to the early 19th century.

Also originating in the 19th century, but rather more functional in design, are the gasholders that were once unmistakable industrial features of every town. Today, only around 600 examples survive; our penultimate feature traces the history of these striking structures, and the new uses that they are finding now.

Finally, we highlight a building that combines both ancient and modern themes: Butser Ancient Farm’s latest archaeological reconstruction, which depicts a late Neolithic house that was originally excavated at Wyke Down in Dorset almost 30 years ago.

In this issue:

FEATURES

A ROMAN LANDSCAPE REVEALED

Celebrating 20 years of the Culver Archaeological Project
As a long-running community archaeology initiative marks a significant milestone, we explore some of its key discoveries at Bridge Farm in East Sussex.

THE MELSONBY HOARD

Exploring unprecedented insights into Iron Age Yorkshire
One of the UK’s largest Iron Age hoards has been unveiled, offering new insights into a wealthy, well-connected prehistoric community.

PARADISE LOST

Rediscovering a forgotten pleasure garden at Attingham Park
Excavations at a National Trust property in Shropshire have revealed the long-forgotten remains of a 19th-century garden.

FROM GASHOLDERS TO CHIC APARTMENTS

Tracing the history of the most prominent landmarks in the gasworks industry
As Historic England records the nation’s surviving gasholders, we investigate the history and architecture of these industrial icons.

IN FOCUS: BUILDING THE PAST

Reconstructing a late Neolithic house from Wyke Down
The innovative experimental archaeology centre at Butser Ancient Farm has revealed its latest reconstructed building, based on a late Neolithic house whose remains were excavated in Dorset in the 1970s.

LETTERS
Your comments, complaints, and compliments

NEWS
Bronze Age ceremonial site identified in Farley Wood; ‘Portrait of Lady Jane Grey’ may have been painted in her lifetime; Reconstructing the face of an Iron Age woman from Dorset; New insights into kinship in Neolithic Ireland; Roman coin hoard discovered in Barton Bendish; World News; Science Notes; Roman brooch illuminates Iron Age Ayrshire; Finds Tray

COMMENT
Joe Flatman excavates the CA archive

CONTEXT
Norman arch art: St Drostan’s Church, Markinch