The picturesque landscape around Loch Lomond has long been celebrated for its natural beauty, including the slopes of Ben Lomond, which attract tens of thousands of hill-walking enthusiasts every year. What, though, is known about the mountain’s historic environment? For the last 30 years, the National Trust for Scotland have been working to document archaeological sites stretching from the lochside to the summit of Ben Lomond. In our cover feature, we highlight some of the key discoveries.
We next turn to an undeniable archaeological icon – or, rather, two, as we trace the life and work of Brian Hope-Taylor, and the ongoing impact of his famous excavations at the palatial royal site of Yeavering in the 1950s and 1960s.
From early medieval Northumberland, we then move to Bronze Age Derbyshire, showcasing the intriguing results of a recent rock-art survey in the Peak District National Park.
Finally, we examine more recent history through archaeological investigations centred on a former hospital which began life as a Victorian asylum on the outskirts of York. Some of the project’s finds relate to the people who lived and worked within this institution’s walls, offering thought- provoking insights into how attitudes towards mental health have changed over time.
In this issue:
FEATURES
THE HISTORY OF THE ‘HILL OF GOATS’
Revisiting Brian Hope-Taylor’s famous Yeavering excavations
Carried out over 70 years ago, Brian Hope-Taylor’s influential excavations at Yeavering revealed the remains of an important early medieval power centre – a major milestone in the history of archaeology in Britain. We examine how the project unfolded and explore the life of the man behind this work.
‘BY YON BONNIE BANKS’
Exploring the archaeology of Ben Lomond
Despite being one of Scotland’s most famous mountains and a celebrated natural icon, for a long time little was known about Ben Lomond’s historic environment. Three decades of investigations by the National Trust for Scotland – including surveys, excavations, and historical research – have sought to redress this. What has been learned?
AROUND THE RUGGED ROCKS
Examining new rock-art discoveries in the Peak District National Park
The Peak District National Park is home to a wealth of prehistoric monuments, including important examples of rock art. A recent survey has documented dozens of previously unrecorded examples of these markings, including some that may be even older than expected.
FROM LUNATIC ASYLUM TO HOSPITAL
Tracing the evolution of attitudes towards mental health at Clifton Hospital, York
Excavations on the site of a former hospital which began its life as a Victorian asylum have revealed artefacts relating to the people who lived and worked within its walls, illuminating how approaches to mental health care have changed over time.
LETTERS
Your comments, complaints, and compliments
NEWS
Elite Anglo-Saxon horse burial found during Sizewell C excavations; Surprising size of Brusselstown Ring revealed; Roman industrial complex uncovered near Sunderland; Roman villa discovered in Margam Country Park; Oldest elephant-bone tool in Europe identified; Science Notes; Bronze Age barrow excavated near Sanquhar; Finds Tray
NEWS FOCUS
Child’s play: Victorian toys and schoolwork in Wapping
SPECIAL REPORT
Music to archaeological ears: the Norfolk carnyx
COMMENT
Joe Flatman excavates the CA archive
CONTEXT
Ticking all the right boxes: Broadway, Worcestershire
REVIEWS
How England Began: from the Romans to the Anglo-Saxons; Hadrian’s Wall and Its Trees; The Historic Landscapes of Cornwall and Devon; A Landscape of Plenty: excavations on a Roman estate, Cambridgeshire; King’s Seat, Dunkeld; Aspects of the Bronze Age in the Atlantic Archipelago and Beyond
MUSEUM NEWS
The latest on acquisitions, exhibitions, and key decisions
EXHIBITION
Hawai’i: a kingdom crossing oceans at the British Museum in London
LISTINGS
Our selection of exhibitions and events, as well as historical, archaeological, and cultural resources online
CONFERENCE
Find out more about our upcoming conference CA Live! 2026, including initial details of confirmed speakers and all the nominees for our annual awards
SHERDS
Chris Catling’s irreverent take on heritage issues
ODD SOCS
The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society
