Tagged with: Archaeology
Posts (10)
Could Offa's Dyke be the gigantic worm cast of a Tremors graboid?
Steven Green
Archaeologists reveal that Offa's Dyke may be 200 years older than previously thought. But what if the origins of the earthwork are more sinister?
The Llangorse crannog
Phil Carradice
Phil Carradice writes about the impressive history of the Llangorse crannog in Powys.
Archaeologists excavate 'tomb of Stonehenge builders'
BBC Wales History
Archaeologists believe they may have discovered the Welsh tomb of the builders of the Stonehenge monument. The remains of a ceremonial monument were found with a bank that appears to have a pair of standing stones embedded in it. The bluestones at the earliest phase of Stonehenge - also set i...
Gower cave could hold Britain's oldest rock art
BBC Wales History
Archaeologist Dr George Nash of Bristol University believes a wall carving discovered in a Gower cave could be Britain's oldest example of rock art. The faded scratchings of a speared reindeer are believed to have been carved during the Ice Age more than 14,000 years ago. Dr Nash, called the discovery "very, very exciting." For now, the exact location of the art is being kept secret as experts are working to verify the art. The limestone cliffs along the Gower coast are renowned for their archaeological importance. The Red Lady of Paviland, actually the remains of a young male, is the earliest formal human burial to have been found in western Europe. It is thought the remains are around 29,000 years old. Read more about this remarkable find on the BBC Wales News website.
Tonight on Hidden Histories: handball, ancient roofs and Bardsey Island
BBC Wales History
Eddie Butler and Heledd Fychan continue to explore Welsh history in the company of reseachers from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Eddie Butler at a handball court in Wales In tonight's Hidden Histories, Eddie learns to play handball at Nelson's unique handball court - the only one in the UK. Interior View of St Nicholas Church, Grosmont © Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales Professor Ralph Griffiths, Richard Suggett, and Rev. Jean Prosser talk with Eddie about the significance of Grosmont and the Norman conquest of upper Gwent. Pantyrhwch cottage after restoration © Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales The team take a look around a farmhouse in Ceredigion where the owner's contemporary lifestyle happily coexists with the craftsmanship and planning of the old house. They teams also meet 3D artist Iwan Peverett who developed a series of computer-generated reconstruction animations about Bardsey Island, which allows people to see how the "island of 20,000 saints" has changed over time. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales have created excellent, in-depth guides to each subject featured in tonight's programme. Read the guides on their website and view images relating to Hidden Histories on their Flickr photostream. Hidden Histories, Thursday 27 January, at 7.30pm on BBC Two Wales.
From Steep Hillsides: Ancient Rock Carvings from Dazu exhibition opens today
BBC Wales History
Visitors to the National Museum Cardiff will from today have an opportunity to see a unique exhibition of ancient rock carvings from China - sculptures never before been seen outside China. From Steep Hillsides: Ancient Rock Carvings from Dazu, China will be open from Wednesday 26 January to Sunday 3 April 2011, with free entry. National Museum Cardiff is the only venue for the exhibition before it returns to Dazu. Sakyamuni Buddha, Xiaofowan(AD1174-1252). © Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, Chongqing, China The steep hillsides of the Dazu World Heritage site near Chongqing contain an exceptional series of rock carvings dating from the middle of the seventh century and developed between the ninth and the 13th centuries. Head of Sakyamuni Buddha (AD1127-1279). © Dazu Rock Carvings Museum, Chongqing, China The carvings comprise 50,000 figures in total, and are remarkable for their aesthetic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period. It contains superb examples that have become detached from their original setting, along with accurate replicas of some of the most important sculptures still in situ and dramatic large-scale images, to give some idea of what it is like to visit these spectacular places. Stone carving being delivered to the museum Speaking about the carivings, David Anderson, director general of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales Director said: "Dazu rock carvings are some of China's greatest cultural treasures from a golden period of Chinese art. "Hosting their first appearance outside of China is a privilege not just for the Museum but for Wales. I am confident this will be a popular exhibition and hope this is the beginning of a successful relationship between us and the Chongqing Culture Bureau." Stone carving being delivered into museum building Li Fangyin, curator of Art Museum of Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, commenting on the exhibition in Cardiff, said: "Wales is such a place that is steeped in history and cultures, and the rich historical and cultural deposits embedded with her are exactly why we choose National Museum Wales, Cardiff to host the first appearance of Dazu Rock Carvings Art outside of China. "As a world cultural heritage, Dazu Rock Carvings should not only be taken as a treasure for local people of Dazu, but should also be recognized as a cultural property of the whole world, and both the artistic and historical value should be shared and appreciated by world people". The museum has made a film about the exhibition that you can watch on YouTube. You can also keep up to date with Dazu on Facebook and follow the National Museum Wales on Twitter.
Hidden Histories returns to BBC Two Wales
BBC Wales History
Inscriptions relating to the great flood of 1607 which devastated much of the Severn estuary, home-made-homes, and a Welsh bridge drawn by a French industrial spy all feature in the new series of Hidden Histories, which returns to BBC Two Wales tonight (Thursday 20 January). Aerial view of ...
Inside Llanelly House
BBC Wales History
Back in 2003 Llanelly House was one of 10 finalists in the BBC history television series Restoration. The series highlighted buildings from all Britain that had suffered from years of neglect or under-funding. The building that received the greatest public support by way of a telephone vote w...
Historic records go online
BBC Wales History
A new website will enable people to explore the history of more than 100,000 archaeological sites across Wales. Archwilio, which translates from Welsh as "to explore", catalogues the Historic Environment Records (HER) of Wales and contains details of excavation works as well as images of artef...
Archaeological dig reveals Norman structures at Nevern Castle
BBC Wales History
The remains of two towers and three hall-like buildings thought to date from the 12th century have been unearthed at the site around Nevern Castle in Pembrokeshire. Until this discovery little of the castle could be seen. The Norman castle was built in 1108, and according to Dr Chris Caple of Durham University, the newly discovered constructions appear "to have been a highly desirable stone residence, a visible display of wealth and significant technical achievement". The excavations of the castle grounds are being directed by Durham University and supported by archaeologist Peter Kane of Pemborkeshire Coast National Parks. Local volunteers from Cardigan, Newport and the Nevern area have also been involved. The National Park Authority, one of the partners participating in this project, has invited visitors on to attend guided tours of the digs. Read the story on the Western Mail website. Read the Wales History guide to castles. Feel free to comment! If you want to have your say, on this or any other BBC blog, you will need to sign in to your BBC iD account. If you don't have a BBC iD account, you can register here - it'll allow you to contribute to a range of BBC sites and services using a single login. Need some assistance? Read about BBC iD, or get some help with registering.
