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Condolences, journeys and trees its antiquarian discovery and the presentation of its monuments to the public is no less fascinating, and my favourite site has to be Temple Wood stone circle; planted with trees in the shape of a half moon in the 19th century, it has a wonderful ambience. The museum will reopen in 2023 after a major refit – their own journey of creation. the director assessed, but the challenge was made real to me when I walked over the parched grass, seeing cracks in the peat and exposed Bronze Age wood. In 2020 the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay suffered a major fire: in just six minutes the wooden Iron Age timber crannog (island dwelling) went up in flames. The centrepiece of their visitor centre, its loss was a devastating blow. But like a phoenix from the ashes the Crannog Centre will rise again. It has received funding from the Scottish Government to relocate to a larger site, where it will continue its educational work and over time develop three new crannogs. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of work starting at Butser Ancient Farm. The Council for British Our patron King Charles III The Council for British Archaeology has written to His Majesty King Charles iii as our patron to express our deepest condolences to him and the whole Royal Family at this sad time. We, like so many others, mourn the loss of the Queen and honour her many years of dedicated and courageous service to the country. Her Majesty was, for us all, an enduring symbol of our national traditions and heritage, and has left a legacy which will continue for generations into the future. We are, as ever, extremely grateful for His Majesty’s patronage of our work championing public participation in archaeology and safeguarding our archaeological heritage. As the Queen said in her Christmas Day speech of 1999: “We can make sense of the future – if we understand the lessons of the past”. The Council for British Archaeology expressed our heartfelt support for His Majesty. Flag Fen is all about the dark soil – peat and the preservation of wood and other organic material. Subjected to groundbreaking excavation and conservation in the 1970s and 80s by Francis and Maisie Taylor, Flag Fen continues to inspire today. But it also faces major challenges in looking after the remains of the prehistoric timbers that survive across the site. This is being from Above right: Temple Wood stone circle Right: Flag Fen My festival journey With a theme of Journeys the 2022 Festival of Archaeology (July 16–31) was a huge success. You can read more about it in Archaeology active (see page 52). I was able to visit several incredible archaeological sites and projects over the festival’s 16 days, including Kilmartin Glen in Argyll, the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay, Flag Fen near Peterborough and Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire. Each site seeks to inspire us through the amazing archaeological landscapes, features and activities they present. From hands-on research and reconstructions to cutting-edge museums they help us imagine and encounter archaeology directly, transforming excavation and research into new experiences and meanings. Each site has had its own journey – stories of discovery, imagination, vision and tenacity. I was struck by how they have all forged their own communities to help tell their stories and shape the places they inhabit today. Kilmartin is one of the finest archaeological landscapes in the British Isles, somewhere you can enter deep time and marvel at incredible rock art or inspiring monuments. The story of 6|British Archaeology|November December 2022
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(4) REDFERN IL NE Archaeology (cba) was actively involved in getting the farm going in 1972 (see feature Jul/Aug 2020/173). Since then, it has had several locations and lots of building and rebuilding. Yet at its heart remains the core principle of hands-on experimental archaeology that its founder Peter Reynolds was so instrumental in developing. Through its different guises and sites one thing has remained constant: the sense of community that has grown around its development, a community of endeavour and collective spirit, highlighted this summer by the erection of a standing stone to commemorate their journey over the last half century. If you get a chance, make your own journey to these incredible landscapes, places and sites (see endnote). You will not be disappointed. Queen Elizabeth II A final festival visit to recollect was to Beacon Ring hillfort on the edge of Welshpool. This is a dramatic yet intimate landscape on the very boarder between Wales and England, where Henry vii mustered his Welsh army as it set off to challenge Richard iii for the throne of England. Yet it is the trees on this monument that now give it greater significance. Planted in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elisabeth ii, every year the trees’ changing colours spell out her monogram. My guide on the day i visited was Paul Belford, director of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust. We spoke about how the significance of the ring changes on every visit you make, and as you discover new stories and associations with the place. Heritage values are not fixed, they are fluid and evolve and change over time. In the days since the Queen died, these trees and the significance of Beacon Hill have shifted again. Magazine cover price We are all aware of the current economic challenges and inflation, which are having a direct impact on the production cost of British Archaeology. In light of this we have taken the difficult decision to increase the cover price of your magazine. This will affect only direct sales, with no change in either membership rates or subscription packages. The best way to support our work and receive British Archaeology to your door is to become a cba member. Find out more on our website, at www.archaeologyuk.org/what-we-do/ become-a-cba-member.html. Kilmartin Museum www.kilmartin.org. Flag Fen https://flagfen.org.uk. The Scottish Crannog Centre https://crannog.co.uk. Butser Ancient Farm www.butserancientfarm.co.uk. Neil Redfern is executive director of the Council for British Archaeology Above: Raising a megalith at Butser Ancient Farm Top left: The Scottish Crannog Centre Left: Beacon Ring hillfort TRUST ICAL ARCHAEOLOG CLWYD-POWYS British Archaeology|November December 2022|7

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(4)

REDFERN

IL

NE

Archaeology (cba) was actively involved in getting the farm going in 1972 (see feature Jul/Aug 2020/173). Since then, it has had several locations and lots of building and rebuilding. Yet at its heart remains the core principle of hands-on experimental archaeology that its founder Peter Reynolds was so instrumental in developing. Through its different guises and sites one thing has remained constant: the sense of community that has grown around its development, a community of endeavour and collective spirit, highlighted this summer by the erection of a standing stone to commemorate their journey over the last half century.

If you get a chance, make your own journey to these incredible landscapes, places and sites (see endnote). You will not be disappointed.

Queen Elizabeth II A final festival visit to recollect was to Beacon Ring hillfort on the edge of Welshpool. This is a dramatic yet intimate landscape on the very boarder between Wales and England, where Henry vii mustered his Welsh army as it set off to challenge Richard iii for the throne of England. Yet it is the trees on this monument that now give it greater significance. Planted in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elisabeth ii, every year the trees’ changing colours spell out her monogram. My guide on the day i visited was Paul Belford, director of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust. We spoke about how the significance of the ring changes on every visit you make, and as you discover new stories and associations with the place.

Heritage values are not fixed, they are fluid and evolve and change over time. In the days since the Queen died, these trees and the significance of Beacon Hill have shifted again.

Magazine cover price We are all aware of the current economic challenges and inflation, which are having a direct impact on the production cost of British Archaeology. In light of this we have taken the difficult decision to increase the cover price of your magazine. This will affect only direct sales, with no change in either membership rates or subscription packages. The best way to support our work and receive British Archaeology to your door is to become a cba member. Find out more on our website, at www.archaeologyuk.org/what-we-do/ become-a-cba-member.html. Kilmartin Museum www.kilmartin.org. Flag Fen https://flagfen.org.uk. The Scottish Crannog Centre https://crannog.co.uk. Butser Ancient Farm www.butserancientfarm.co.uk. Neil Redfern is executive director of the Council for British Archaeology

Above: Raising a megalith at Butser Ancient Farm

Top left: The Scottish Crannog Centre

Left: Beacon Ring hillfort

TRUST

ICAL

ARCHAEOLOG

CLWYD-POWYS

British Archaeology|November December 2022|7

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