Archaeology in Northumberland

Foreword
As the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, I am
delighted to welcome you to the 22nd edition of Archaeology in
Northumberland. This issue showcases some of the highlights of recent
archaeological work undertaken in Northumberland and, remarkably,
celebrates two 25-year anniversaries.
Firstly, it is 25 years since the first issue of Archaeology in
Northumberland was published in 1991. Over these years the magazine
has seen many changes, including embracing full colour, growing in size
and becoming available online, but it continues to report on an ever
widening range of heritage and archaeological activities carried out
across the County. Archaeology in Northumberland has also attracted a
‘Friends of’ group whose members provide invaluable support for the
publication of the magazine.
We are also celebrating the 25th anniversary of developer-funded
archaeology. When the government introduced guidance on
Archaeology and Planning in 1991, it changed the way archaeology
was considered. Instead of rescue operations being launched,
developers became responsible for ensuring that archaeological remains
affected by their proposals were properly investigated. This work
has made a huge contribution to our knowledge and understanding
of the past and revealed many new and exciting discoveries in
Northumberland which have been revisited on pages 4-13.
Alongside this commercially funded work, community interest in
the heritage of Northumberland continues to grow. It is particularly
pleasing to see an ever-increasing number of local groups exploring
their heritage and some of the results of this work are published here,
including Altogether Archaeology (page 42), Flodden 500 (page 18),
Holystone (page 52), Tynedale North of the Wall (page 32) and the
National Park volunteers on the Otterburn Ranges (page 49).
This issue also reports on the final phase of the multi-million pound
heritage-led regeneration schemes in Berwick, where tangible
improvements to shopfronts and buildings have been accompanied
by exciting creative projects recording more ephemeral things, like
memories, anecdotes and atmosphere (page 34). With this hugely
successful project nearing completion, it gives me great pleasure
to report that significant funding has been secured for several new
projects in the County. In particular, the Heritage Lottery Fund
has awarded £1.8million to the Peregrini Lindisfarne Landscape
Partnership which started three community projects this year and I
look forward to reading about their results in future issues.
Allan Hepple
Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth
Archaeology in Northumberland 1