Current Archaeology 382

3 mins read

Our cover image shows the grand edifice of Syon House in west London – as well as the remains of another imposing complex that once stood on this spot. Founded by Henry V, Syon Abbey flourished to become one of the wealthiest religious houses in 16th-century England, but after the Dissolution of the Monasteries its layout was lost to memory. What can archaeological research add to this picture?

A rather different community forms the focus of our next feature: a row of roundhouses at Cladh Hallan in the Outer Hebrides, which have yielded an illuminating array of domestic debris spanning 500 years of life in the Bronze Age and Iron Age. Moving from roundhouses to oval amphitheatres, we report on a recent site visit to Richborough in Kent. Once the ‘gateway to Roman Britain’, Rutupiae was a flourishing port town that boasted a huge triumphal arch and an amphitheatre that could seat 5,000 people. What has this autumn’s excavation revealed about the construction – and decoration – of this latter amenity?

Leaping forward to more modern constructions, our next feature explores the diverse range of architecture that evolved in response to England’s co-operative movement.

Artistic endeavour also features in this month’s ‘In Focus’, which highlights recent research using cutting-edge photographic techniques to reveal previously unknown details of four decorated chalk plaques excavated in the Stonehenge landscape.

Finally, voting is now open for the 2022 CA Awards! Turn to p.60 to find out more about the people, publications, and projects that have been nominated, and for details of the speakers confirmed so far for our upcoming conference.

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P.S. Details of all the content of the magazine are available on our new site, The Past. Here you will be able to read each article in full as well as the content of our other magazines, Current World Archaeology, Minerva, and Military History Matters. Subscribers should see the advert inside the magazine for a very special offer!

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In This Issue:

FEATURES

CLADH HALLAN

Exploring the roundhouse way of life in South Uist
Cladh Hallan, in the Outer Hebrides, is best known for its prehistoric mummies, but excavations at this settlement have also illuminated Bronze Age and Iron Age domestic activity and enigmatic ‘sunwise’ practices.


ROMAN BRITAIN IN COLOUR

Recent finds at Richborough’s amphitheatre
This autumn, CA visited a Roman amphitheatre in Kent, where recent excavations have revealed rare traces of painted decorations on the arena wall, the first discovery of its kind in the UK.


SYON ABBEY REVISITED

Reconstructing late medieval England’s wealthiest nunnery
Founded by Henry V, Syon Abbey was one of 16th-century England’s richest religious houses – but until recently little was known about its layout. That picture has now changed significantly.


SHOPS ‘OF THE PLAINEST KIND’?

The architecture of England’s co-operative movement
CA delves into the history of England’s co-operative and commercial architecture, from simple neo-Georgian premises to striking Art Nouveau shopfronts.


PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES

Neolithic artistry in the Stonehenge landscape
Analysis of Neolithic chalk plaques using cutting-edge imaging techniques has shed new light on their intricate geometric patterns and, perhaps, less abstract representations amongst the designs.


NEWS

Coin discovered under mast of HMS Victory; Medieval tannery found at Fountains Abbey; Roman sculptures unearthed in Stoke Mandeville; Archaeologists on the ball in Glasgow; England’s largest Anglo-Saxon gold coin hoard found in Norfolk; Science Notes; Orkney fingerprints belonged to Neolithic teenager; Finds Tray


REGULARS

Comment
Joe Flatman excavates the CA archive

Context
Aerial archaeology: Whitley Castle, Cumbria

Reviews
Landscapes Revealed: geophysical survey in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Area 2002-2011; Country House Collections: their lives and afterlives; The Hadrian’s Wall Military Way: a frontier road explored; Bath Quays Waterside: the archaeology of industry, commerce, and the lives of the poor in Bath’s lost quayside district; Ireland Encastellated, AD 950-1550: insular castle-building in its European context; Bridge Over Troubled Water: the Roman finds from the River Tees at Piercebridge in context

Exhibition
Digging up memories – Vindolanda’s online exhibition

Museum News
The latest 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
Details about Current Archaeology Live! 2022, including the nominees for our annual awards

Sherds
Chris Catling’s irreverent take on heritage issues

Odd Socs
The Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust


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