NASNEWS
Newsletter of Northamptonshire Archaeological Society
www.northants-archaeology.org.uk
October 2004

NAS AGM & 30th ANNIVERSARY LECTURE BY FRANCIS PRYOR -
LIFE IN PREHISTORIC FLAG FEN: 30 YEARS OF RESEARCH IN A NUTSHELL

Tuesday 30th November at the Jeffery Room, Guildhall, Northampton (close to the Museum, at the top of Guildhall Rd in the town centre). 
Doors open at 7pm, tea & coffee available. AGM commences at 7.15pm with the lecture starting at 7.30pm. Admission to both AGM and the lecture is free to all but as space is limited, must be on a first come first served basis.
There will be an opportunity to purchase copies of The Archaeology of Northamptonshire book as highlighted below – on sale at a reduced rate! 
We are fortunate to welcome Dr Francis Pryor to give this NAS 30th Anniversary lecture. Francis is of course, a long standing member of  Northamptonshire Archaeological Society but is also one of Britain’s foremost prehistorians and an excellent lecturer who relishes challenging archaeological conventional wisdoms. In recent years Francis has also taken on a new role, that of TV presenter with his most recent series on the Dark Ages being shown recently on Channel 4.
Francis discovered the survival of extensive Bronze Age remains in the side of a drainage ditch at Flag Fen in 1982.  Since then the site has gone on to become Britain’s leading Bronze Age centre with a major ongoing archaeological research project combined with innovative visitor centre & archaeological park. Waterlogging has ensured remarkable preservation of the 3000 year old site and its enormous timber built platform and palisade, work on which has radically changed views on the period. The result is the clearest picture yet, of life in the Bronze Age Britain – and all of this on the Northamptonshire border. Come along and learn more about the ongoing research!

THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
1974 was marked by two important events for the archaeology of Northamptonshire. One was the formation of the Northamptonshire Archaeological Society and the other, the publication  of The Northamptonshire Landscape by John Steane as part of the series of works edited by W.G. Hoskins entitled The Making of the English Landscape. Thirty years later the NAS is still going strong  and it has decided that a new account of the  county’s archaeological record should be published.

The new book, The Archaeology of Northamptonshire will be available from November 30th 2004. It has 200 pages with 125 illustrations (B&W and colour). The book has been edited by Martin Tingle and contains chapters written by a variety of authors
These include;  Sandy Kidd & Greg Phillips (Paleaolithic and Mesolithic), Andy Chapman (Neolithic and Bronze Age), Sandy Kidd (The First Millenium BC), Myk Flitcroft & Jeremy Taylor (The Romans) Tony  Brown & Glenn Foard (The Anglo-Saxons), Glenn Foard (Medieval) David Hall (The Post Medieval), Jenny Ballinger (Industrial Archaeology), and Martin Tingle (The history of Northamptonshire’s archaeology and its future).
The book is intended to be accessible to a wide readership but is referenced and includes a full bibliography so that it can be used for academic work.

The book will be available from local bookshops (priced at about £16.99) or directly from NAS (£12.99 plus postage). All purchase inquires to nas@mtingle.freeserve.co.uk or The NAS Secretary, 
c/o Northamptonshire Archaeology, 2 Bolton House, Wootton Hall Park Northampton, NN4 8BE 
30th ANNIVERSARY PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
As part of its 30th Anniversary celebrations, NAS is holding a modest photographic competition. Members of NAS, of other local societies in Northamptonshire and anyone else with an involvement or  interest in the archaeology of Northamptonshire is invited to enter. The closing date for entries is 1st January 2005.
The competition theme is a record of any aspect of archaeology within Northamptonshire in the last 30years. This can involve field survey, excavation, post excavation work, finds, historic landscape, historic buildings, industrial archaeology, a NAS or other local society event or activity or indeed any aspect of the wide field of archaeology as practised in the historic county of Northamptonshire. 
The photographer whose photograph best represents the competition theme, as judged by the NAS Committee, will receive a cash prize of £50. A second prize of £25 will also be awarded.   In additional two junior prizes (aged 16 or under), each of £20, will be awarded. A copy of the competition rules and an application form are attached.

TIME TEAM (ALMOST) IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AGAIN
The final episode of Time Team’s 12th series has been filmed this week  at a site which belonged to the late Oliver Ranson near Grafton Regis.  Previous excavations  had produced evidence of medieval settlement and metal working while aerial survey has revealed a large enclosure. Although a high status manorial site had been proposed, it rapidly became  clear that this was not present and the final verdict involved the a proposal of medieval specialist pig farming. A full report will shortly appear on the NAS website (www.northant-archaeology.org.uk) together with an account of the official opening of Piddington Museum and recent work at the Hunsbury hillfort

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME SURGERIES
Tom Brindle has arranged a new series of finds surgeries where members of the public can bring in chance finds or other archaeological objects for identification and recording. 

Towcester, South Northants Council		Daventry, The Abbey 
Offices;  11.00 am – 1.00 pm			2.00 pm – 4.00 pm	

2004 - 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December
2005 - 4th January, 8th February, 8th March, 5th April, 3rd May, 7th June
__________________________________________________________________  
Wellingborough, Croyland Abbey 		Oundle Museum
Council Offices; 11.00 am – 1.00 pm		2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

2004 - 6th October, 3rd November, 8th December
2005 - 5th January, 9th February, 9th March, 6th April, 4th May, 8th June
_____________________________________________________________________
Kettering Manor House Museum		      	Northampton Museum 	
11.00 am – 1.00 pm				2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

2004 - 7th October, 4th November, 9th December 
2005 - 6th January, 10th February, 10th March, 7th April, 5th May, 9th June
For further information please contact Tom on 01604 237249 or at tbrindle@northamptonshire.gov.uk  

NAS SUBSCRIPTION REMAINDER
Subscriptions were due for renewal on 1st September 2004. Subscription rates remain extremely good value at an unchanged £10 for individuals, £12 family, £8 student and £15 Local Association. We would encourage members to sign up to Gift Aid as this provides some valuable additional income to your Society. If you are renewing your subscription or want a Gift Aid form, please contact Pat Chapman (NAS Membership Secretary), 2 Bolton House, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton NN4 8BE or email nas@mtingle.freeserve.co.uk   . Those in subscription arrears may not receive the next Journal.
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This NASNEWS edited by                                    
Graham Cadman, 90 Lower Thrift Street, Northampton NN1 5HP     email: gcadman@northamptonshire.gov.uk  

NAS Photo Competition Rules

1.	Please submit entries as prints preferably 6” x 4” though 7” x  5” will also be accepted. 

2.	Black + white or colour prints only please. This includes digital photos printed on suitable paper.   

3.	Up to a maximum of 5 photographs to be submitted per entrant. Each entrant to complete a competition entry form – see over.

4.	Entries from individuals, groups or organisations are welcome.

5.	All entries must state - 		
•	Name & contact details of entrant (see also entry form) - an annotated label attached to the back of the photo will suffice.		
•	Title/subject of picture(s).
•	Location(s) of pictures.
•	Date of picture.
•	Any other relevant information.

6.	Northamptonshire Archaeological Society reserves the right to use/copy any photograph submitted during or after the competition for purposes in connection with the competition, or for other purposes including display. Photos may also be used on the Society website. The Society will acknowledge the photographer in the event of his/her entry being so used.

7.	NAS would like to retain photographs for inclusion in a Society archive. If, however, you would prefer your photographs to be returned, please enclose a suitably sized stamped and self addressed envelope with your entry.

8.	It is the photographer’s responsibility to ensure that photographs are taken with the consent of any relevant landowner, organisation, individual and owner/occupier of any building/structure or object featured.

9.	Only photographs for which the entrant holds the copyright may be entered in this competition.

10.	The NAS Committee decision on the winners will be final. NAS will not enter into any discussion or correspondence regarding their decision.

11.	Closing date for entries is 1st January 2005.  The winners will be announced later in the year. Results will also be published in NASNEWS and on the Society website at www.northants-archaeology.org.uk 

NAS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

Name:

Please circle: 

Adult or Junior (16years & under).    	Age if Junior:

Number of photos submitted & enclosed:				

SAE enclosed for return of photos: YES / NO (please indicate)

Any additional information about the photo or subject, including name(s) of person giving permission where appropriate (continue of separate sheet if necessary): 

I confirm that I accept and will abide by the competition rules. I understand that the photograph(s) may be used by Northamptonshire Archaeological Society for publicity or other purposes and may/ may not (please delete) be retained for its archives.

Signed:  							Date:
(Parent/Guardian to sign 
for junior entrants)

Name:
(please print)

Address:
(please print)

Post Code: 

Telephone:							E-mail: 

Please send entries by 1st January 2005 to:    NAS Photographic Competition, c/o Mr A Chapman, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 2 Bolton House, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton  NN4 8BE