HeadlandArchPod

Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology - Trailer

Welcome to our Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology Series.
I’m Jessica Lowther, Community Archaeologist for Headland Archaeology.
Headland Archaeology have been working out to the East of Swindon, uncovering archaeology in advance of the construction of the Swindon Southern Connector Road, on behalf of the Swindon Borough Council.
During this short podcast series, we will be exploring some of the archaeology found along the route of the road, by talking to some of the people involved in the works.
Join me to discover what has been uncovered and how each person contributes to the complex and rewarding job that is archaeology.
For more information on the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology, you can read the articles on the Swindon Borough Council website at https:bit.ly/SSCRArchaeology1
This podcast series forms part of the community outreach programme for the SCR, funded by Swindon Borough Council.

SSCR Archaeology - Episode1

Welcome to the first full episode of the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology Series.
I’m Jessica Lowther, Community Archaeologist for Headland Archaeology.
Join me as I talk to Harriet Bryant-Buck, Project Manager for Headland Archaeology, in charge of running the archaeological works at the SSCR.
I get to talk to Harriet about the archaeology that has been found, including pottery, buildings and …. Skeletons?!
We also discuss a little about how we got into archaeology and why it is such a great job.
 
Terms from the podcast explained!
Below are terms that we use in archaeology that come up during the podcast.
Environmental Sample – These are soil samples, taken from the archaeology such as the soil in a pit. They are processed for environmental evidence such as seeds and charcoal. Analysing these can tell us a lot about the environment of the time period the archaeology dates to.
Links!
For more information on the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology, you can read the articles on the Swindon Borough Council website at https://bit.ly/SSCRArchaeology1
For more information on the Southern Connector Road please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20161/nev_transport/1065/southern_connector_road
For more information on the New Eastern Villages please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20134/new_eastern_villages
This podcast series forms part of the community outreach programme for the SCR, funded by Swindon Borough Council.

SSCR Archaeology - Episode 2

Welcome back for another episode of the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology Series.
I’m Jessica Lowther, Community Archaeologist for Headland Archaeology.
Join me as I talk to Dr Sara Machin about the ceramics found during the excavations at the Swindon Southern Connector Road and what they can tell us about how connected the world was during the Roman Period.
We also get to hear a little about specialists... and specialists within specialists! 
Links!
For an image of Samian ware from the SSCR visit our twitter page here: https://twitter.com/HeadlandArchUK/status/1542806466620526593
An image of Dressel B type Amphora can be seen on the British Museum website here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1805-0703-216
An image of a Carrot Amphora** can be seen on the Ramm collections website for the Exeter City Council here: https://rammcollections.org.uk/object/27-1992-1/
**That definitely looks like a carrot!
For more information on the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology, you can read the articles on the Swindon Borough Council website at https://bit.ly/SSCRArchaeology1
For more information on the Southern Connector Road please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20161/nev_transport/1065/southern_connector_road
For more information on the New Eastern Villages please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20134/new_eastern_villages
This podcast series forms part of the community outreach programme for the SCR, funded by Swindon Borough Council.

SSCR Archaeology - Episode 3

Podcast Synopsis: Episode 3
Welcome back for another episode of the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology Series.
I’m Jessica Lowther, Community Archaeologist for Headland Archaeology.
Join me as I talk to Michail Kaikas, Project Officer for Headland Archaeology, responsible for the day to day running of the archaeology site and ensuring the team have all they need to excavate and interpret the archaeology.
I get to ask Michail all about the role of a field archaeologist. Is it really all little brushes and trowels?
We also get to chatting about interpreting archaeology – complicated business!
Terms from the podcast explained! Below are few terms that we use in archaeology that come up during the podcast.
Plant –                                  ‘Plant’ in the construction, and construction adjacent industries, refers to machinery used in an industrial process. You might also hear this used in the manufacturing industry.
Links!
For more information on the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology, you can read the articles on the Swindon Borough Council website at https://bit.ly/SSCRArchaeology1
For more information on the Southern Connector Road please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20161/nev_transport/1065/southern_connector_road
For more information on the New Eastern Villages please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20134/new_eastern_villages
This podcast series forms part of the community outreach programme for the SCR, funded by Swindon Borough Council.

SSCR Archaeology - Episode 4

Podcast Synopsis: Episode 4
Welcome back for another episode of the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology Series.
I’m Jessica Lowther, Community Archaeologist for Headland Archaeology.
Join me as I talk to Kate Turner, Environmental Specialist for Headland Archaeology about all things environmental!
I get to ask Kate what we do with all the soil samples we take when we are excavating archaeological sites and how these can help us to understand what life was like in the past, and how the landscape has changed over time.
We also get find out a little about the human burials found during the project!
Links!
For more information on the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology, you can read the articles on the Swindon Borough Council website at https://bit.ly/SSCRArchaeology1
For more information on the Southern Connector Road please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20161/nev_transport/1065/southern_connector_road
For more information on the New Eastern Villages please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20134/new_eastern_villages
This podcast series forms part of the community outreach programme for the SCR, funded by Swindon Borough Council.

SSCR Archaeology - Episode5

Welcome back for the last episode of the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology Series.
I’m Jessica Lowther, Community Archaeologist for Headland Archaeology.
Joining me this time is special guest Dr Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger from the Wiltshire Council.
Melanie explains her involvement in the work at the Swindon Southern Connector Road, a bit more about the importance of the site and the Roman Town of Durocornovium.
We also get to talk a little about the way that commercial archaeology works in the UK!
Links!
You can find out what archaeology sites have been identified across Swindon and Wiltshire by searching the Historic Environment Record (HER) on the Wiltshire Council website here: https://services.wiltshire.gov.uk/HistoryEnvRecord/Home/Index
You can also use the Heritage Gateway to search the Historic Environment Record for several other areas across England here: https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/advanced_search.aspx
If you are listening from Scotland you can search the Historic Environment Record at www.canmore.org.uk.
In Northern Ireland the Historic Environment Record can be found at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/historic-environment/historic-environment-record-northern-ireland-heroni
For more information on the Swindon Southern Connector Road Archaeology, you can read the articles on the Swindon Borough Council website at https://bit.ly/SSCRArchaeology1
For more information on the Southern Connector Road please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20161/nev_transport/1065/southern_connector_road
For more information on the New Eastern Villages please visit https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20134/new_eastern_villages
This podcast series forms part of the community outreach programme for the SCR, funded by Swindon Borough Council.

Festival of Archaeology 2024 - Careers in Archaeology Episode 1

Have you ever wondered how archaeologists got into their career? Interested to find out how many different roles there are in commercial archaeology? Want to hear what's so special about working in archaeology?
Join us on a special mini-series to celebrate Headland Archaeology's sponsorship of the Council for British Archaeology's 2024 Festival of Archaeology.
In this series we will be talking to some of Headland Archaeology's amazing staff to find out about some of the different job roles that make up Headland Archaeology. We will be asking them how they became archaeologists, what they love about working in archaeology and discussing some of their key skills. 
Episode 1 - Jack. 
This episode we are joined by Jack Warner, one of the Data Officers for Headland Archaeology.
Show Notes and Links!
This episode we discuss the Nebra Sky Disc - An Early Bronze Age disc inlaid with gold depicting a crescent moon, stars and the sun or full moon and is evidence of prehistoric interest in celestial bodies. It was deposited around 1600BC and recovered in Germany in 1999. More here: https://archaeology.org/issues/may-june-2019/collection/maps-germany-nebra-sky-disc/ 
We also discuss Seahenge and you can read more about the monument, its discovery and conservation here: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/pwVhBxecshzaMQ 
Last but not least Jack mentions he has a tattoo of the tri-spiral or triskelion from Newgrange in Ireland. Explore the Newgrange world heritage site on their website here: https://www.newgrange.com/  
For more Festival of Archaeology Events check out the Council for British Archaeology's website here: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html 

Festival of Archaeology 2024 - Careers in Archaeology Episode 2

Have you ever wondered how archaeologists got into their career? Interested to find out how many different roles there are in commercial archaeology? Want to hear what's so special about working in archaeology?
Join us on a special mini-series to celebrate Headland Archaeology's sponsorship of the Council for British Archaeology's 2024 Festival of Archaeology.
In this series we will be talking to some of Headland Archaeology's amazing staff to find out about some of the different job roles that make up Headland Archaeology. We will be asking them how they became archaeologists, what they love about working in archaeology and discussing some of their key skills. 
Episode 2 - Domenico. 
This episode we are joined by Domenico Molinari, one of the Assistant Supervisors for Headland Archaeology.
Show Notes and Links!
For fieldwork opportunities around England check out the Council for British Archaeology's fieldwork opportunities page here: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/get-involved/fieldwork-opportunities.html 
For events and volunteer opportunities from guided walks and talks to excavations in Scotland see DigIt Scotland's website events page here: https://www.digitscotland.com/events/
And of course, for more Festival of Archaeology Events check out the Council for British Archaeology's festival page here: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html
 
 

Festival of Archaeology 2024 - Careers in Archaeology Episode 3

Have you ever wondered how archaeologists got into their career? Interested to find out how many different roles there are in commercial archaeology? Want to hear what's so special about working in archaeology?
Join us on a special mini-series to celebrate Headland Archaeology's sponsorship of the Council for British Archaeology's 2024 Festival of Archaeology.
In this series we will be talking to some of Headland Archaeology's amazing staff to find out about some of the different job roles that make up Headland Archaeology. We will be asking them how they became archaeologists, what they love about working in archaeology and discussing some of their key skills. 
Episode 3 - Laurie. 
This episode we are joined by Laurie Matthews, one of the fieldwork Supervisors for Headland Archaeology.
Show Notes and Links!
Laurie mentions Men-an-Tol in Cornwall as a place where her grandfather would take her as a young child. Men-an-Tol is a combination of standing stones and a holed stone, thought to date from the Late Neolithic to the Middle Bronze age. It is one of the most famous and mysterious sites in Cornwall. See it here: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1004641 and for it’s detailed description, click ‘Official List Entry’.
We both mention Digging for Britain in this episode. Digging for Britain is a TV show on BBC2, hosted by Alice Roberts, revealing the latest discoveries in British Archaeology. Catch up here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014hl0d
I also mention Time Team, which was a long lived television show first airing in 1994 hosted by Actor Tony Robinson. Thanks to fan support, it re-launched in 2021 and can now be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@TimeTeamOfficial or through their website here: https://www.timeteamdigital.com/
And of course, for more Festival of Archaeology Events check out the Council for British Archaeology's festival page here: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html
 

Festival of Archaeology 2024 - Careers in Archaeology Episode 4

Have you ever wondered how archaeologists got into their career? Interested to find out how many different roles there are in commercial archaeology? Want to hear what's so special about working in archaeology?
Join us on a special mini-series to celebrate Headland Archaeology's sponsorship of the Council for British Archaeology's 2024 Festival of Archaeology.
In this series we will be talking to some of Headland Archaeology's amazing staff to find out about some of the different job roles that make up Headland Archaeology. We will be asking them how they became archaeologists, what they love about working in archaeology and discussing some of their key skills. 
Episode 4 - Sara. 
This episode we are joined by Dr Sara Machin, Senior Specialist for Headland Archaeology.
Show Notes and Links!
In this episode Sara mentions a few specialist groups that you can join if you're interested in becoming a specialist in these subjects; or if you're just interested!
The Lithic Studies Society
https://www.lithics.org/
British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteology
https://babao.org.uk/
Guide to Ceramic Building Materials by York Archaeological Trust
https://bit.ly/YAT_CBMGuide
 
We also talk a bit about the Treasure Act and what it means. For more information on the Treasure Act and what to do if you find something you suspect may be treasure you can read the sections on this page from the Portable Antiques Scheme:
https://finds.org.uk/treasure
 
And finally the Silver Ingots Sara mentioned come from the Galloway Hoard – the richest Viking Age hoard in Britain, found in Scotland. You can see them here on the National Museum of Scotland website: https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/galloway-hoard/sections/the-galloway-hoard-hoards-and-the-viking-age-in-historical-context/

Festival of Archaeology 2024 - Careers in Archaeology Episode 5

Have you ever wondered how archaeologists got into their career? Interested to find out how many different roles there are in commercial archaeology? Want to hear what's so special about working in archaeology?
Join us on a special mini-series to celebrate Headland Archaeology's sponsorship of the Council for British Archaeology's 2024 Festival of Archaeology.
In this series we will be talking to some of Headland Archaeology's amazing staff to find out about some of the different job roles that make up Headland Archaeology. We will be asking them how they became archaeologists, what they love about working in archaeology and discussing some of their key skills. 
Final Episode! - Episode 5 - Beth. 
In this final episode of the series we are joined by Beth Darroch-Bartley, one of the fieldwork Project Officers for Headland Archaeology.
Show Notes and Links!
This episode we mentioned the volunteer opportunities at The Lost City of Trellech and York Archaeological Trust – but these are just a few of the fieldwork opportunities available!
For fieldwork opportunities around England check out the Council for British Archaeology's fieldwork opportunities page here: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/get-involved/fieldwork-opportunities.html 
For events and volunteer opportunities from guided walks and talks to excavations in Scotland see DigIt Scotland's website events page here: https://www.digitscotland.com/events/
Terms from the pod explained!
WSI - We touched on this in the episode but the WSI is an important planning document. Archaeological works such as trial trenching or excavations in commercial archaeology are often required as part of a planning condition on the development being undertaken by our clients. Archaeological works need to be undertaken by an archaeological company to discharge the planning condition – the WSI sets out how this will be undertaken. These are submitted to the archaeological advisor for the Local Planning Authority for review and approval before each stage of archaeological work can be carried out.
Geophysics – Geophysical surveys are a way of creating a map of the possible archaeology below the ground, without digging. There are different geophysical techniques with different equipment and deciding which ones to use depend on the location, terrain and other site conditions. The results are often used as a guide for the following intrusive works.
Trenching – Trenching or trial trenching evaluations consist of a series of trenches covering the land to be evaluated for archaeological remains. They are usually evenly spaced to cover a percentage of the land but they can also target findings from the geophysical survey, or from records as well as visible landscape features.
Mitigation – Mitigation is the term we use to describe the excavation stages of an archaeological project. This can take a few forms as we talked about in the podcast, either a full detailed excavation of a particular area, or a strip, map and record or sample – a wide area of topsoil is removed to reveal the archaeological features, and they are recorded and sampled to understand their date and function. We create a detailed written, photographic and spatial record of all the remains (which is deposited with the archive to the local receiving museum). This gives us an understanding of the activities taking place and the lifestyle of the people.
Finally - we would like to say thankyou for listening to this short series. If you listened to our episodes please let us know whether you enjoyed them or not by filling out this short survey -> https://forms.office.com/e/CSizibCaRq