We’ll look forward to providing updates in the future when we know more!

#archaeologyuk #ArchaeologicalDiscoveries #archaeologicalexcavation #archaeologynews #tyneside #northumberland

In the absence of grave goods, the charcoal samples collected for radiocarbon dating and the portable optically stimulated luminescence (pOSL) samples will be crucial in determining their date, though they would typically date to the Beaker period.

...the shadow of crouched skeletons surrounded by stones was still visible in several graves and some skull fragments were found still surviving in another.

It’s interesting to note that this distinctive grave contained the vague remains of a rectangular wooden coffin, suggesting the interment of a possible high-status individual. Although the human remains were poorly preserved due to soil acidity...

Three of these burial pits were partially enclosed by a semi-circular ditch, while the remaining four were arranged in a line running northwest to southeast. The oval pits were generally oriented north–south, except for one burial aligned east–west.

By taking environmental samples from specific features, such as a cremation, we’re able to ensure we recover as much archaeological information from a site as possible, whether from plant remains such as cereal grains and charcoal, or amazing finds such as this flint tool.

(Scale = 1cm graduations)

One such discovery occurred recently during the flotation of a human cremation sample from one of our sites, where our geoarchaeologist discovered a beautiful, retouched flint blade! As you can see from the photo, the blade is in perfect condition and remains sharp to this day.

However, we also take soil samples to try and retrieve any small, delicate finds that our on-site archaeologists may have missed due to their size, soil conditions and poor preservation of the artefact.

The most common reason we take samples is to undertake environmental assessment and analysis, which helps us identify the fauna and environment present during the main phase of activity on the site. This can also show whether any forms of agriculture were taking place and on what scale.

Oh and in case you didn’t know, our Senior Palaeoenvironmental Officer can do the plant remains and wood identifications for you, as part of the funding, to find suitable material for dating. So you don’t need to find an external specialist before applying!

To learn more about the Fund, where to complete your application, and most importantly how it could help your project, check out: www.cardfund.org

#cardfund #RadiocarbonDating #archaeologyuk #archaeologicalsite #archaeologicalexcavation #communityarchaeology #heritageuk

The deadline is 30 Nov, so get your application in asap. And just FYI our Senior Palaeoenvironmental Officer can do the plant remains and wood identifications for you, as part of the funding, to find suitable material for dating. So you don’t need to find an external specialist before applying.

Everything has been blogged about on their website too, and although the digging has finished for now, everyone is excited to get the post-excavation work underway!

Want to know more? Check out their website: jarrowhall.com/jam/

So far, four weeks of excavations in Drewett Park have taken place and it’s been a wonderful endeavour, involving a collaboration of local community groups, residents, students, Route2Work learners and volunteers.

The JAM Project was a recipient of the National Lottery Heritage Fund earlier this year and it opened the way for new archaeological investigations close to the site of St Paul's Church and Jarrow Monastery in Jarrow for the first time since the 1960s.

For more information on the publication of the previous excavations see here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

For more information on the Conference see here: aargonline.com/wp/events/aa...

New high-res Lidar & multispectral surveys together with geochemical & magnetic susceptibility surveys were then undertaken in 2025. Together with evidence from ongoing adjacent excavations, new evidence is shedding light on a fascinating multi-phase site – we hope to report more on this in future!

We conducted a phased programme of works to understand the form, phasing and date of the archaeological remains of the enclosure together with information on the condition of preservation.