www.archaeology.co.uk www.facebook.com/currentarchaeologymag twitter.com/currentarchaeo visit us online at www.archaeology.co.uk
WELCOME
Had you arrived 400,000 years ago, the Thames Estuary would offer a world-class safari. Lions, rhinos, monkeys, and elephants all quenched their thirst near what is now Ebbsfleet. Some never left. One massive bull elephant was brought down by a pack of particularly dangerous predators. As well as daring to take on the massive, 4m-high beast, these hunters picked its carcass clean with flints that they discarded at the scene. This butchery site reveals a rare glimpse of Palaeolithic hominin activity in Britain.
these hunters picked its carcass clean with flints that they discarded at the scene.
A magnificent Anglo-Saxon hall discovered at Lyminge in Kent would have hosted more refined dining. One of the star finds of 2012, the royal hall is the first of its kind to be dug for a generation. The Kings of Kent, possibly even King Aethelbert himself, may well have been entertained beneath its roof.
Of course, the Romans also knew how to have a good time. Recent work at the sumptuous Chedworth villa has shed new light on life within its walls. As well as appeasing the gods, visitors could relax in the baths, enjoy fine dining, or select a spear from the arsenal of hunting weapons and ape their Palaeolithic predecessors.
Finds being recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme also reveal pursuits both pleasurable and pious. We cast an eye over some fascinating artefacts that demonstrate just how fluid function and meaning can be over time.
Finally, this month our sister-magazine Current World Archaeology celebrates a decade of bringing us the latest digs and discoveries from around the globe. Meanwhile, Oxford Archaeology, one of the UK’s first archaeological units, turns 40. Happy birthday both!
Our contributors this month
MAKING A KILLING FRANCIS WENBAN-SMITH Dr Wenban-Smith is Principal Research Fellow in the Dept of Archaeology, University of Southampton. Specialising in the Palaeolithic and Pleistocene, he has a particular interest in Neanderthal colonisation of Britain, and the lithic technology of early hominins.
DISCOVERING AN ANGLOSAXON ROYAL HALL ALEXANDRA KNOX Dr Knox is the postdoctoral research assistant on the Lyminge Archaeological Project. Her involvement began back in 2008 as a PhD student of Anglo-Saxon archaeology at the University of Reading.
ARTEFACTS IN THE LIMELIGHT ROB COLLINS Dr Collins is the Finds Liaison Officer in North East England for the PAS, based at the Great North Museum in Newcastle. He also has an enduring (but unhealthy) interest in Roman frontiers.
| Issue 284
archaeologycurrent
Editorial Editor: Dr Matthew Symonds matt@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5580 Contributing editor: Christopher Catling chris@archaeology.co.uk Art editor: Mark Edwards mark@currentpublishing.com Designer: Justine Middleton Assistant Editor: Carly Hilts carly@currentpublishing.com Sub editor: Simon Coppock Editor-in-chief: Andrew Selkirk 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX andrew@archaeology.co.uk Tel: 020 8819 5584 Managing director: Robert Selkirk
Commercial Advertising sales: Mike Traylen mike@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5360 Production manager: Maria Earle maria@currentpublishing.com Marketing manager: Emma Watts-Plumpkin emma@currentpublishing.com Tel: 020 8819 5575 Commercial director: Libby Selkirk
Current Publishing Lamb House, Church Street, London W4 2PD Tel: 020 8819 5580 (office hours) Fax: 020 8819 5589 Web: www.archaeology.co.uk
Subscriptions Current Archaeology is published monthly for a subscription of £44 for 12 issues. Foreign subscriptions £54. Subscriptions should be sent to: Current Publishing, Lamb House, Church Street, London W4 2PD Tel: (office hours) 020 8819 5580 Fax: 020 8819 5589 Subscription queries to: subs@archaeology.co.uk or online at: www.archaeology.co.uk Back issues: £5 each / £6 non-UK Binders: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20 Slip Cases: (hold 12 copies) £15 / £20
Printed in the UK by William Gibbons
Unauthorised reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently or where it has proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. 180913170
www.archaeology.co.uk | current archaeology
3
