13 July 2006 - TARMAC DISCOVERIES TO PLAY MAJOR PART IN NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK
Discoveries made as a result of archaeological investigations prior to mineral extraction carried out by Tarmac will form the bedrock of a series of activities to celebrate National Archaeology Week (July 15-23) in the North East.
Tarmac's work at Woodbridge Quarry, near Millfield village in Northumberland, unearthed pits used by the earliest farmers with large quantities of pottery, two houses from the late Bronze Age, and three rectangular houses from the Dark Ages.
These houses are the only ones known from these periods anywhere in Northumberland and are significant in helping understand the nature of such settlements.
From July 15 to 23, Archaeological Research Services, which has a long-standing relationship with Tarmac and has been heavily involved in the work at Woodbridge Quarry, will host a series of activities at the nearby Maelmin Heritage Trail as part of National Archaeology Week.
These activities will include pottery reconstruction, a textiles through time demonstration and other specialists making stone tools, wood and leather items, and woodland art of Celtic and Germanic mythical figures.
During June last year (2005) an important site with remains from the Stone Age to the Dark Ages was found at Woodbridge Quarry, including some remains pre-dating Stonehenge and three buildings dating to the Dark Ages, the period between the collapse of Roman rule in the British Isles and the emergence of the English kingdoms.
Mike Young, estates manager at Tarmac, said: "We are delighted to have helped in the discovery of some interesting and significant finds at Woodbridge Quarry. It is great to know it has helped prompt these events as part of National Archaeology Week, bringing the history of the area and the UK to a bigger audience."
Kristian Pedersen, project officer for Archaeological Research Services, said: "National Archaeology Week is a major event and we are hoping to involve school and community groups in the activities we are organising. Our work will continue through the summer and autumn with site tours and the reconstruction of one of the buildings discovered at the site. We have a long standing relationship with Tarmac and many of the finds at Woodbridge would have remained undiscovered had it not been for Tarmac's activity."
Further details about the events and activities are available from Archaeological Research Services on 0191 222 6443.
