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Welcome to PastSearch Newsletter

You can find a downloadable version at www.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk

January Round UpMonitoring at a site at Elloughton was completed this month, despitethe weather and the post excavation work of washing and analysis hasstarted in order to complete the report for the client.

Also made an initial visit to a site in Arglam, which is due tocommence in March.

This month’s talk at HOSM Social Clublooked at the development of York fromits Roman Fortress and colonia origins(Eboracum) to the present day.Noting how much of the medieval wallswere built on the alignment of the originalRoman walls.Also how York was contained within thosewalls until the mid 1800’s when industrialgrowth, particularly concerning the

railways allowed the expansion outward, gradually encompassing thesurrounding villages which are now known as the Greater York area.

Jorvik Viking Festival

This is the 32nd festival which will be held between 15th to 21st February 2015.

There will, as always be a number of events to attend, including talks, walksand re-enactments.

To find out about more go to: http://www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/events/upcoming/

PastSearchNewsletter

Issue 38: February 2016

Contents

January RoundUp...........................1

Jorvik Viking Festival ....1Snippets from Arthur’sGuide to York..................2The CodexSinaiticus..........................3In This Month in

History ................4HOSM Local History

Society..................5Book Review ...................5Picture This.......................6Just For Fun......................6Dates For Your Diary......7Just For Fun

Answers................7What’s Been In

The News.............8Adverts...........................12

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Snippets from Arthur’s Guide to York

“THE MANSION HOUSE, by the side of the Yorkshire Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition building. Builtby Henry VIII., as a residence for the Lords President of the Council of the North when he suppressed themonasteries, the council being established for the summary punishment of offenders against the royal will inthe risings of the North occasioned by the suppression. It was built of materials taken from St. Mary’sAbbey. James I had it repaired, and added most of the present front, intending to use it as a palace whilemoving between England and Scotland. The Earl Stafford, the last President, made alterations in the middlewing and interior, placing C.R. (Charles Rex) on various parts, and his own arms elaborately over one of thedoors, which formed one charge against him at his trial, having placed his own arms on one of the royalpalaces. Charles resided here after leaving London, whence he issued his commission of array beforeleaving to raise the standard at Nottingham. The building is now used as a school for the blind, founded in1834 as the county memorial of William Wilberforce, in which sixty blind children are instructed in varioususeful handicrafts. In returning notice the wall on your left, a portion of that built in 1319 to protect St.Mary’s Abbey.

Arthur’s Guide to York c.1889

Today we call this building as the King’s Manor and it wasoriginally the Abbot’s house of St. Mary, having been retainedfollowing the dissolution. Alterations would have startedduring Henry VIII’s reign to accommodate the Council of theNorth but most work dates to Elizabeth I’s time.

As the guide above says, CharlesI’s coat of arms is displayed overthe front entrance.

The Council was abolished in 1641, at which time the building was dividedinto apartments and leased out.

The Yorkshire School for the Blind was founded in 1833 and from1870 the manor was restored and enlarged. In the 1890’s agymnasium was built and a cloister, creating the second courtyard,and the Principles house in 1900.

The school left in 1958 and it was acquired by York City Council. Itwas then leased to the University of York in 1963, originally for theAdvanced Architectural Studies department. Further restoration workwas carried out, removing some older buildings and building a

modern tutorial block. Now accommodating the Archaeology department and Conservation studies.

Reference: University of York website; York Press

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The Codex Sinaiticus

The Codex Sinaiticus , named after the Monastery of St.Catherine, Mount Sinai, where it had been kept, is the oldestknown version of the Christian Bible, generally dated to the4th century, written in Greek.

Although it may have been seen in 1761 by VitalianoDonati, when visiting the monastery, who described in hisjournal ‘a Bible comprising leaves of handsome, large,delecate, and square-shaped parchment, written in roundand handsome script.’ It is Constantine Tischendorf who iscredited for its ‘discovery’.

In 1844 he visited the monastery and was initially shown anumber of leaves of the Old Testament, and according to hisaccount, he obtained 43 leaves, which he took back toLeipzig in 1845.

Also in 1845 Porfirij Uspenskij obtained fragments of two pages which were taken to Russia.

Tischendorf returned to the monastery in 1853 and again in 1859. It was on 4th

February 1859 that he states he first saw the 347 leaves of the Codex. Realisingtheir importance and need for transcribing, he requested that the leaves betransferred to Cairo, which was done on 24th February. Tischendorf was allowedaccess to the manuscript and then in September he signed a receipt for the loan ofthe 347 leaves and took them to St. Petersburg.

Further examination and transcribing of these leaves took place and in 1862 aprinted facsimile was published and presented to the Tsar, Alexander II.

In 1933 the Codex was sold by Joseph Stalin to the UK, wishing to raise foreign capital, for £100,000. Itwas delivered to London on 26th December, and the following day placed on public display at the BritishMuseum.

In 1975 further leaves were discovered at the monastery and remain there.

The Codex Sinaiticus Project

This project was made by the collaboration of partner institutions and others. Teams from UK, Germany,Russia, Egypt and USA form the Project Board.

Together they continue to ensure the conservation of the manuscript have digitised, translated and made itmore accessible to the public via their website.

Reference: http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/Images: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Sinaiticus

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In This Month in History (February)

Below, is at least one event for each day of this month from around the world. For more details of these andother events, links can be found at

http://pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk/on-this-day/

Date Year Country Event1 1884 UK First volume of Oxford English Dictionary published (A to Ant).2 1848 USA First ship with Chinese immigrants arrived in San Francisco,

California (California Gold Rush).3 1959 USA Plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa , Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The

Big Bopper and Roger Peterson killed.4 211 York Emperor Severus died whilst in York. His sons Caracalla and Geta

assumed joint sovereign rule.5 1852 Russia Hermitage Museum opened in St. Petersburg.6 1918 UK Women over 30 get right to vote.7 1301 England/Wales Edward of Caernarvon became the first English Prince of Wales.8 1587 England Mary, Queen of Scots executed.9 1895 USA The game Mintonette (Volleyball) created by William G Morgan.10 1306 Scotland Robert the Bruce murdered John Comyn at Greyfriars Church,

Dumfries (Scottish Wars of Independence).11 600BC Japan Traditional date for founding by Emperor Jimmu.12 1851 Australia Gold found in Bathurst, New South Wales, start of Australian Gold

Rush.13 1633 Italy Galileo Galilei’s trial before the Inquisition began in Rome.14 1929 USA St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Chicago Illinois, 7 killed.15 1949 West Bank Excavations started at Qumran Caves, where Dead Sea Scrolls later

found.16 1646 England Battle of Torrington, Devon (English Civil War).17 1933 USA The Blaine Act ended Prohibition.18 1979 Algeria Snow fell in Sahara Desert.19 1847 USA Donner Party found by rescuers.20 1472 Orkney &

ShetlandPawned by Norway to Scotland in lieu of a dowry for Margaret ofDenmark.

21 1840 Wales First self-propelling steam locomotive at Pen-y-Darren Ironworks.22 1879 USA First Woolworth store opened in Utica, New York.23 1999 Austria Avalanche destroyed Galtür village, 31 killed.24 1582 Rome Pope Gregory XIII announced Gregorian calendar.25 1866 USA Miners found human, mastodon and elephant bones in Calaveras

County, California. (Hoax)26 1794 Denmark Fire at first Chriatianborg Palace.27 1868 UK Benjamin Disraeli became Prime Minister (Conservative).28 2001 UK Rail crash near Selby, 86 killed.29 1916 USA Minimum working age in South Carolina for factory, mills and mine

workers raised to 14.

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Last Month’s Talk – 18 JanuaryDorothy Nott gave a very interesting talk aboutthe Wagoner’s Memorial at Sledmere and thedesigns which had been produced by HenrySykes.

Wikipedia

HOSM Local History Society (Archaeology Club)

Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Social Club, nextdoor to the Village Hall, High Street.

Start time 7.00pm

Price £2.00

Book ReviewThe Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England – Ian Mortimer

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to walk around the streetsof a medieval city of village? Have the film makers depicted the scenesaccurately?

Ian Mortimer gives an account of what you might have expected to see as atraveller in the medieval period – the types of buildings, entertainment, food anddrink, and the people you may have met.

Thanks to Neil Hindhaugh for recommending this book.

If you have a history/archaeology or local interest book that you think everyone else should be readingplease write a review and send to

pastsearch@hotmail.com

Future Meetings

15 February - The Breweries and Inns ofPocklington – Andrew Sefton

21 March - Cromwell’s Head – Russell Marwood

18 April - Mayors, Markets and Meanders in York– Ron Christian

16 May – The Woman who didn’t Exist – Clive &Kath Richardson

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Picture This

Rudston MonolithLocated in the churchyard of All SaintsChurch. Believed to be of late Neolithicor Bronze Age date. Approx. 8m tall andof gritstone which may have been sourcedfrom Cayton Bay.Excavations in the 18th Century by SirWilliam Strickland suggested there maybe as much again below ground. Themetal cap was added to protect fromweathering.Some suggest there a fossilised dinosaurfootprints within the stone, others suggestring & cup decoration.

Do You Know Where ThisIs?

Answer in Issue 39

Just For Fun

This is Colin the digging hamster, he is hiding onone of the pages in this newsletter, can you findhim?

Spot the Difference

Can you find the 5 differences between these teopictures of Knaresborough viaduct.?

Answers on page 7

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Dates for Your Diary

3 Feb ERAS Field Study Group 2 Mar ERAS Field Study Group8 Feb PastSearch – Karen Adams –

Castles, 1.00pm (see advert p.11)14 Mar PastSearch – Karen Adams – Iron Age

Settlements, 1.00pm (see advert p.11)15 Feb HOSM Local History Society –

Andrew Sefton – Breweries & Innsof Pocklington, 7.00pm

15 Mar North Duffield Local History Society –Ron Christian – Old York, 7.00pm

15-21Feb

Jorvik Viking Festivalhttp://www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/events/upcoming/

16 Mar ERAS Lecture – Richard Lamb – LeadSmelting in Yorkshire Dales, University ofHull, 7.30pm

16 Feb North Duffield Local History Society– Tony Stevens – Three Vital VillageTrades, 7.00pm

21 Mar HOSM Local History Society – RussellMarwood – Cromwell’s Head 7.00pm

17 Feb ERAS Lecture – Andrea Burgess –Iron Age, Romano-British & AngloScandinavian Remains from HumberGateway Cable Rout, University ofHull, 7.30pm

If you have an event you would like to include in Dates For Your Diary, or would like to submit an articleregarding the history/archaeology in your area, please send to Karen at

pastsearch@hotmail.com

Follow PastSearch at

https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/PastSearch/109488651355?sk=infohttp://

https://twitter.com/PastSearch

Get the latest news and information to you computer of mobile

Just For Fun Answers

Find Colin on page 11

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What’s Been in the News

These articles were shared on Facebook during the last month. To see similar articles as they come into thenews follow PastSearch on Facebook.

1700s ship, preserved in a watery grave,emerges as hotel goes up

“A large, heavy ship, scuttled between 1775 and1798, is being dug out of its damp grave at thesite of a new hotel construction project in OldTown Alexandria.”https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/preserved-in-a-watery-grave/2016/01/04/e2fe6188-afd4-11e5-9ab0-884d1cc4b33e_story.html

Archaeological discovery yields surprisingrevelations about Europe’s oldest city

Recent fieldwork at the aincient city of Knossoson the greek island of Crete finds that suring the

early Iron Age (1100 to 600BC), the city was richin imports and was nearly three times larger that

what was believed from earlier excavation.”

http://www.heritagedaily.com/2016/01/archaeological-discovery-yields-surprising-revelations-about-europes-oldest-city/109157Fulford Golf Club revel in journey back to

the past

“EIGHT decades after the first shots were struckat Fulford Golf Club, in Heslington, chiefs arestriving to recreate the original designprinciples.”http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14183768.Golf__Fulford_Golf_Club_revel_in_journey_back_to_the_past/

Roman Ruins unearthed at new housing siteat Barlby

“The remains of what experts think could be animportant Roman settlement have been found onthe site at Turnhead Farm, Barlby, and NorthYorkshire County Council heritage workers saythey have found evidence of "a strong militaryor official presence and high-status structures".

County Councillor Don Mackenzie said: “A findsuch as this adds to the already rich culturalhistory of the area as well as to a widerknowledge of our county and country’sheritage.”

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14194300.Roman_ruins_unearthed_at_new_housing_site/?ref

=arc

Remains of lost 1800s whaling fleetdiscovered off Alaska’s Arctic coast

“NOAA archaeologists have discovered thebattered hulls of two 1800’s whaling shipsnearly 144 years after they and 31 others sankoff the arctic coast of Alaska.”http://www.heritagedaily.com/2016/01/remains-of-lost-1800s-whaling-fleet-discovered-off-alaskas-arctic-coast/109161

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What’s Been in the News (cont)

Bronze Age Homes Unearthed in East Anglia

“Archaeologists have revealed incrediblywell-preserved Bronze Age dwellings duringan excavation at Must Farm quarry,Whittlesey, in the East Anglian fens that isproviding an extraordinary insight intodomestic life 3,000 years ago.”http://historicengland.org.uk/news-and-features/news/bronze-age-homes-unearthed-in-east-anglia

Prosthetic Leg with Hoofed Foot Discoveredin Ancient Chinese Tomb

“The 2,200-year-old remains of a man with adeformed knee attached to a prosthetic legtipped with a horse hoof have been discoveredin a tomb in an ancient cemetery near Turpan,China.”

http://www.livescience.com/53321-ancient-prosthetic-leg-with-hoofed-foot-discovered.html

Aviva office in York to close and be turnedinto flats

“ONE of Aviva's city centre offices is to be

turned into 48 flats, as the insurance giant

moves out almost 900 staff.

Yorkshire House on the corner of Rougier Street

and Station Rise, one of York's most prominent

office blocks for 50 years, is to be converted.

The Press revealed in June last year that Aviva

was looking to sell the building as part of plans

to make £225 million of annual saving by the

end of 2017.”

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14202224.Aviva_office_in_York_to_close_and_be_turned_into_flats___900_staff_being_moved_out/?ref=fbpg

Famous York shop closing after 60 years

“RENOWNED York shop Mulberry Hall is to

close after nearly 60 years in the city's historic

heart.

Bosses at the family-owned shop in Stonegate

confirmed on Thursday morning that it was to

cease trading, after "lengthy consideration".

The shop's owner Adam Sinclair said it was with

sadness that they reported the decision.”

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14204455.York_independent_shop_to_close/

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What’s Been in the News (cont)

'Outstanding' Roman relics discovered atroadside

Archaeologists have unearthed 177,000 artefactsfrom the Prehistoric, Iron Age and Romanperiods while excavating along a stretch of theA1.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-35314396

London’s Big Dig Reveals Amazing Layers ofHistory

“Spurred by a building boom, archaeologists are

plumbing the deep past of one of Europe’soldest capitals.”http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/artifacts-found-under-london-archaeology-text?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_fbp20160112ngm-london&utm_campaign=Content&sf18646078=1

New Visitor Centre Planned for Clifford’sTower

“THIS picture shows plans for a new visitor

centre at Clifford's Tower intended as part of a

number of improvements costing over £2

million.

English Heritage has released the design of a

new stone and glass visitor centre built at

the foot of the mound, revealing part of the

tower's substantial 19th Century wall, buried

since 1935.”

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14210396.Updated__Images_show_new_visitor_centre_planned_for_Clifford_s_Tower/

Who were York's decapitated Gladiators?

“NEW technology has shed fresh light on a set

of Roman-age decapitated bodies found in York.

Genome technology has shown that the most of

the men, who archaeologists have speculated

were gladiators, were locals, while at least one

came from the Middle East.”

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14214758.So_who_were_York_s_decapitated_Gladiators__Researchers_have_new_answers_and_striking_photos____/?ref=fbshr

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What’s Been in the News (cont)

The Gristhorpe Man: A Bronze Age Skeletonwith a Story to Tell

“On the July 10, 1834, William Beswickexcavated a barrow on his land in Gristhorpe,North Yorkshire, England. What he found gavehim quite the surprise. Beswick discovered acoffin in the shape of a scooped-out oak tree.Inside the coffin was something special - theskeleton of a Bronze Age man, known today asthe Gristhorpe Man.”

http://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-science/gristhorpe-man-bronze-age-skeleton-story-tell-003406#ixzz3yQqDi3pK

Blackburn archaeological survey: Bodies of800 young children found

“The bodies of about 800 children aged undersix have been unearthed by archaeologists aheadof the construction of a road in Lancashire.

They were among 1,967 bodies exhumed at StPeter's Burial Ground, which opened in 1821 inBlackburn.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-35408967

Ice-Age Mammoth Bones Found Under Oregon Football Field

“Oregon State University might want to consider changing its mascot after a monumental find: Thediscovery of bones belonging to an ice-age mammoth within throwing distance of the school'sfootball field.”

http://www.livescience.com/53507-mammoth-found-under-oregon-football-field.html?cmpid=514627_20160128_57693226&adbid=10153213863286761&adbpl=fb&adbpr=30478646760

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Archaeological Services

Free no obligation estimates available onrequest

PastSearch offers archaeological servicesincluding desk-based assessments, writtenscheme of investigations, watching briefs andmonitored evaluations, working in the NorthYorkshire and East Riding.

With 30 years of local knowledge, PastSearchaims to provide a reliable and flexible serviceregarding small and medium sized projects,including private and commercial developments.We also aim to keep costs to the client at areasonable rate whilst maintaining professionalstandards.

CAD Illustration service also available.

For a price list and more information please email:archaeology-pastsearch@hotmail.co.uk or ringKaren on 07811 877 469.

Visit the PastSearch Websitewww.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk

PresentationsThere are now 19 presentations available:

Eboracum to YorkWalking Around the WallsDay in the Life of an ArchaeologistThe Iron AgeThe RomansThe VikingsThe NormansThe Medieval PeriodArchaeology Along the A63York Trials and ExecutionsLendal BridgeClues Above the EyleineClues at Foot LevelYork HistoriansBottlesToysMoated SitesCastlesPetuaria to Brough

Or a talk can be created for your group

EducationPastSearch offers workshops which can bebooked as a single activity or as a course.

These workshops may include activity sheets,model making, hands-on artefacts and replicas.

They will also relate to the archaeologicalevidence of the area closest to the venue possible.

Karen Adams has worked in North Yorkshireand the East Riding area for 30 years and CRBchecked.

For more details of

Presentations and Workshops

Go towww.pastsearch-archaeo-history.co.uk

or contact on

07811 877 469

pastsearch@hotmail.com

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