Welcome to our new column, Archaeology News North East (ANNE), which we are looking forward to bringing you every month.
We aim to bring you all the fascinating archaeology and hidden histories news from around the region by seeking out the stories that are making the news in the world of archaeology and history.
ANNE is headed up by Jackie, an archaeologist and community engager and Sarah, an archaeologist, anthropologist, and all-round history enthusiast.
We also aim to bring you volunteer and community-based opportunities you can get involved with. From free lectures to hands on experience, so if you’re an armchair archaeologist or someone who likes to get their hands dirty, there is something for everybody.
In addition, we have launched our very own podcast, Tales from the Trowel interviewing local celebrities from the world of cultural heritage.
We’ll also be talking to amateur enthusiasts involved in everything from local history societies to metal detecting clubs.
And we didn’t hold back with our debut episode by diving in at the deep end! We welcomed Gary Bankhead to the fantastic new studio at South West Durham News.
Gary is a well-known underwater archaeologist and Honorary Research Associate from Durham University.
He has co-hosted many episodes of River Hunters UK for the Sky History Channel and is well known for putting Durham’s medieval past on the map.
His countless finds from beneath the River Wear; notably one of the largest collections of cloth seals in the UK, have been conserved and placed on display.
In total, Gary has retrieved 13,500 objects, from locks and keys to knives, spoons, printing blocks, hinges, hooks and religious artefacts from the Wear near Old Elvet bridge and presents his findings on his website.
The artefacts are processed in the Archaeological Artifacts Forensic Analysis Centre at Durham University, where their stories are unravelled and presented publicly through physical exhibits and the free online resource Hidden Stories from the River Wear, hosted by Durham University.
If you think you might have a story for us or are just curious about something you’d like us to look into, email ANNE at podcast[@]pitmatic[.]productions.
To hear our interview with Gary visit talesfromthetrowel.podbean.com.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
