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Current Archaeology 219 (Vol XIX, No. 3) June 2008 Editorial Editor: Lisa Westcott lisa@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5585 Features Editor: Neil Faulkner neil@archaeology.co.uk News Editor: Christopher Catling chris@archaeology.co.uk Art Editor: Mark Edwards mark@archaeology.co.uk Sub Editor: Caitlin McCall caitlin@archaeology.co.uk Publisher: Robert Selkirk robert@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5581 Advertising Manager: Libby Selkirk libby@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5582 Current Publishing, Barley Mow Centre 10 Barley Mow Passage, London W4 4PH Tel: 08456 44 77 07 (office hours) Fax: 08456 44 77 08 web: www.archaeology.co.uk Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Selkirk 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX andrew@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5584 Subscriptions Current Archaeology is published monthly for a subscription of £38 for 12 issues. Foreign subscriptions £48. Subscriptions should be sent to: Current Publishing, Barley Mow Centre 10 Barley Mow Passage, London W4 4PH Tel: (office hours): 08456 44 77 07 or 020 8819 5580 Fax: 08456 44 77 08 Subs queries to: subs@archaeology.co.uk Web subs: www.archaeology.co.uk Back issues: £4 each / £5 non-UK Binders: (holds 12 copies) £10 / £12 Slip Cases: (holds 12 copies) £12 / £14 Printed by St Ives 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. 300408190 Contents Contents 12 26 20 18 12 Stonehenge Editor in Chief Andrew Selkirk details his visit to the controversial new excavations at Stonehenge, that have been grabbing headlines in recent weeks. 18 Britannia: a failed state? Around AD 360, Roman Britain was a society of millions with a highly developed economy. A hundred years later, that economy was reduced to subsistence farming, and the grandchildren of the Romano-British millions faced take-over by AngloSaxons. How could it happen? Since 1990, Britain has been involved in two modern events that bear comparison with the end of Roman Britain: the break-up of Yugoslavia, and the postinvasion chaos in Iraq. Late Roman expert Stuart Laycock examines whether these modern conflicts in the Balkans and the Middle East throw new light on the end of Roman Britain. 26 The silent shores speak: a maritime landscape in North Argyll What began as Dr Colin Martin’s holiday past-time of exploring the coastal regions of North Argyll has ended up as more than 30 years of research into this enigmatic and littleknown landscape. This article details the sites, structures and forgotten industries of this geographically diverse corner of the Highlands. 2 archaeologycurrent 219
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Welcome It’s that time of year again, when Current Archaeology gets back in the trenches! We are very happy to include with this issue our free 16-page annual Digs supplement, which we hope will be useful to all of you out there who want to get digging this summer. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the special section, be sure to check our companion website at www.ilovethepast.com. Editor-in-Chief Andrew Selkirk chimes in with a view of the recent newsworthy excavations at Stonehenge, where – as ever – the Romans are making their presence felt. But were they really that successful here in Britain? Our ‘Britannia’ feature profiles modern events that shed new light on the end of Roman Britain. We then swiftly move up to Scotland for a look at the little-known coastal archaeology of North Argyll, then visit Glastonbury for a measured look at the quirky archaeologist who made digging the abbey his life’s work. Finally, we have an update on the controversial case of Seahenge. Enjoy! Lisa Westcott and Neil Faulkner 33 40 33 The mecca of all irrationality? F Bligh Bond and Glastonbury Glastonbury today is a town noted for religious tourism, diverse communities of mystics and pagans, connections to Arthurian and Christian legend, and, of course, its famous abbey. The archaeology of this abbey is as alternative as the town itself. It all started a century ago, when Frederick Bligh Bond, who was both archaeologist and mystic, began investigations at the site. His controvesial theories were embraced by some but derided by many. On the eve of a new exhibition, Tim Hopkinson-Ball, author of a new biography of Bond, discusses Glastonbury’s ‘architect of the New Age’. 40 Timeless Timbers Nearly a decade after the controversial excavation and removal of Seahenge, a Bronze Age timber circle found in coastal Norfolk, archaeologists have had time to study the timbers in detail. The results of their research are now incorporated into the newly opened Seahenge Gallery at the Lynn Museum in King’s Lynn. Chris Catling discusses. 45 The annual Digs supplement Current Archaeology continues its tradition of providing the ‘who, what, when, where and how’ for volunteer archaeological digs, field schools and other fieldwork opportunities in Britain. Regulars 4 News 10 Sherds 17 Opinion 44 Last Word 61 Reviews 64 Letters 66 Odd Socs Got a story? Write to us! Current Archaeology Current Publishing, Barley Mow Centre, 10 Barley Mow Passage, London W4 4PH On the cover: On the cover: The outer sarsen trilthon setting from the base of the 2008 trench. (Photo: Miles Russell, Bournemouth University) archaeologycurrent 219 3

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Current Archaeology 219 (Vol XIX, No. 3) June 2008 Editorial Editor: Lisa Westcott lisa@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5585 Features Editor: Neil Faulkner neil@archaeology.co.uk News Editor: Christopher Catling chris@archaeology.co.uk Art Editor: Mark Edwards mark@archaeology.co.uk Sub Editor: Caitlin McCall caitlin@archaeology.co.uk Publisher: Robert Selkirk robert@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5581 Advertising Manager: Libby Selkirk libby@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5582 Current Publishing, Barley Mow Centre 10 Barley Mow Passage, London W4 4PH Tel: 08456 44 77 07 (office hours) Fax: 08456 44 77 08 web: www.archaeology.co.uk Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Selkirk 9 Nassington Road, London NW3 2TX andrew@archaeology.co.uk 020 8819 5584 Subscriptions Current Archaeology is published monthly for a subscription of £38 for 12 issues. Foreign subscriptions £48. Subscriptions should be sent to: Current Publishing, Barley Mow Centre 10 Barley Mow Passage, London W4 4PH Tel: (office hours): 08456 44 77 07 or 020 8819 5580 Fax: 08456 44 77 08 Subs queries to: subs@archaeology.co.uk Web subs: www.archaeology.co.uk Back issues: £4 each / £5 non-UK Binders: (holds 12 copies) £10 / £12 Slip Cases: (holds 12 copies) £12 / £14 Printed by St Ives 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. 300408190

Contents Contents

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26

20

18

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Stonehenge Editor in Chief Andrew Selkirk details his visit to the controversial new excavations at Stonehenge, that have been grabbing headlines in recent weeks.

18

Britannia: a failed state? Around AD 360, Roman Britain was a society of millions with a highly developed economy. A hundred years later, that economy was reduced to subsistence farming, and the grandchildren of the Romano-British millions faced take-over by AngloSaxons. How could it happen? Since 1990, Britain has been involved in two modern events that bear comparison with the end of Roman Britain: the break-up of Yugoslavia, and the postinvasion chaos in Iraq. Late Roman expert Stuart Laycock examines whether these modern conflicts in the Balkans and the Middle East throw new light on the end of Roman Britain.

26

The silent shores speak: a maritime landscape in North Argyll What began as Dr Colin Martin’s holiday past-time of exploring the coastal regions of North Argyll has ended up as more than 30 years of research into this enigmatic and littleknown landscape. This article details the sites, structures and forgotten industries of this geographically diverse corner of the Highlands.

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archaeologycurrent 219

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