GWAG Bulletins

Discovering Churchill's underground army

2011-05-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

Join archaeologists and other volunteers as they search for evidence of the headquarters

and training grounds of Churchill's secret Auxiliary Units at Coleshill House in Wiltshire.

An earlier evaluation weekend has already located the remains of previously unknown

structures in the woodlands where the men would have trained, along with various finds

including a very well preserved bayonet. Come and be part of our first season and reveal

even more of the lives of the men who trained here.

For further information visit www.coleshillhouse.com/coleshilluncovered/get-involved.php

To book a place contact Richard Alexander at churchills_underground_war@yahoo.co.uk

Minimum attendance for this first season of the Coleshill Uncovered project is 3 days, with

the induction day of Sunday 3rd July a must for all volunteers.

Dates: 3-7 July 2011
Cost: £75 flat fee. Day rate = £20 per day
Coleshill House, Wiltshire

Aside - an essential tool..

2010-11-13T01:07:00.001-08:00

...and some stop line/standing building references.

Anyone want to buy a hat?

;-)

Rog

Places still available at Sedgeford

2010-06-27T11:33:00.001-07:00

Places are still available for this years field season at the Sedgeford Aerodrome in Norfolk.

We currently plan to investigate and record the visible remains of several areas of buildings identified as being related to the First World War use of the aerodrome. In addition we will be investigating an area that seems to have been used as a dump. This will involve the excavation and collection of a range of material culture. The plan is to set up a finds processing station within the building that housed the Officers Quarters during the First World War.

We will be running two volunteer weeks for experienced diggers and a one week course as an introduction to Modern Conflict Archaeology.

Volunteer week 1 - Sun 11 July - Fri 16 July:

MCA course - Sun 18 July - Fri 23 July (more details can be found at here.

Volunteer week 2 - Sun 25 July - Fri 30 July:

An application form can be downloaded from the SHARP website by clicking here

See the GWAG bulletins for a quick round-up of what happened at the Aerodrome in 2009. Link here

GARP places still available for 2010 season

2010-05-09T08:22:00.001-07:00

Places still available on GARP 2010 dig - see main web site for info.

http://www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org/

or click below for the prospectus
http://www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org/prospectus

Thanks

Roger

Bulletin 34 - New GWAG project - Investigating Auxiliary Units

2010-01-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

We are hoping to launch a new project at a meeting in Bristol on 23 February. It will take an archaeological and anthropological approach to investigating the Auxiliary Units, which were set up in 1940 with the intention of creating guerrilla resistance/sabotage cells that would become active behind German lines in the event of an invasion. The British Government created a network of small, secret, elite Home Guard units and a network of underground bunkers, signal-stations, and store-bases.

These remains represent a 'virtual' guerrilla war - a planned guerrilla war that never happened. They offer an opportunity to study an entire guerrilla-war landscape at macro-level, while using individual sites and artefact assemblages to explore how the war would have been waged and experienced by individual participants at micro-level.

We have excellent preliminary contacts with people heavily involved in recording these remains for the Defence of Britain Project surveys in the 1990s, and our planned initial study area will be Somerset and perhaps Monmouthshire. However, there is great potential for establishing local projects elsewhere. All those interested in becoming involved are welcome to attend the preliminary meeting:

5.00pm, Tuesday 23 February

Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

University of Bristol

43 Woodland Road

Clifton

Bristol

Angie Hibbitt

Bulletin 33 - Lawrence Conference

2010-01-07T04:16:00.001-08:00

Current World Archaeology/Great Arab Revolt Project

one-day conference

Lawrence, the Arabs, and the genesis of modern guerrilla warfare

Saturday 15 May 2010

Clore Management Centre

Birkbeck University of London

Bloomsbury

On the 75^th anniversary of T E Lawrence’s death, three leading academic specialists assess his role in the desert war of 1916-1918 and his relevance in understanding the conflicts of the last 90 years. Neil Faulkner and Nick Saunders are joint directors of a pioneering new field project that is investigating the archaeological remains of the conflict along the line of the former Hijaz Railway. Jeremy Wilson, author of Lawrence of Arabia: the authorised biography of T E Lawrence, is widely recognised as the world’s leading authority on his subject. Together, on the basis of radically new evidence and interpretation, they offer a day of illustrated talks and discussion that will reassess Lawrence, his role, and his legacy. And they will draw some stark lessons: about the parallels between the failure of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and unfolding disaster of the ‘war on terror’ today.

Programme

9.30-10.00: registration (tea and coffee available)

10.00-10.15:     introduction to the day

10.15-11.30:     Jeremy Wilson: A legend on record?
                        Researching the archive of Lawrence’s war

11.30-11.45:     short break

11.45-1.00:       Nick Saunders: Fire on the desert:
                        conflict archaeology of the Great Arab Revolt

1.00-2.15: lunch (not included)

2.15-3.30: Neil Faulkner: Lawrence: seminal theorist of modern guerrilla warfare

3.30-4.00: tea and coffee

4.00-4.30: Images from Lawrence of Arabia’s war

4.30-5.30: Plenary

The price of the conference for early bookings is £29 (before 31 March). Standard booking price (after 31 March) is £39. Payment can be by cheque in the post (payable to Current Publishing) or credit/debit card over the phone: Current Publishing, Lamb House, Church Street, London, W4 2PD, 08456 447707 or 0208 819 5580.

(Note - previous GARP team members, i.e. those who have been part of any of the fieldwork seasons in Jordan, are entitled to a discount. Please contact Angie Hibbitt (angie@gwag.org) for information and to register)

Bulletin 32 (September 2009) Sedgefield Aerodrome Course Report

2009-09-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, the first season investigating Sedgeford aerodrome was a resounding success. We had nine very enthusiastic students who, together with three supervisors, spent time doing desktop research and three days practical work up at the Aerodrome. Once suitable work locations had been agreed with the landowner we split the students into three teams, each with their own project to work on.

Team A investigated a building that, according to local hearsay, was used as a mortuary during WWI, one is recorded in the post-war sale of site buildings. They spent some time studying the construction methods, materials, and design of the building, before moving on to create a drawn record of all four external elevations and a plan. The structure, which is located in an area that was woodland during WWI, has elements of architectural design that gives it a chapel-like quality. These, along with some of the more utilitarian aspects of its design, such as high windows and air vents, led the team to conclude that it was the mortuary.

Team B spent most of its fieldwork time investigating a rubbish dump area. A large assemblage of material culture was collected from the trench, mostly found within the topsoil, and included glass bottles and jars, pieces of domestic china, leather boots, a couple of rubber bicycle pedals and a single .303 blank cartridge case (dated to WWI). Initial research undertaken on a small selection of items by the team during their course show that the artefacts span at least a 40 year period. However, the finds were jumbled up together within the area investigated which led the team to conclude that it was not a purpose made dump, but instead a result of continual activity, in particular site clearance and re-use post WWII.

Team C studied an air raid shelter believed to date from the First World War. Constructed of house bricks, it has an internal corrugated iron ceiling overlaid with a thick slap of concrete. A wooden door at the bottom of the steps leads into the one-room shelter, which has brick piers for wooden benches along both walls. A window, crudely hacked out of the south wall, was cut through at a later date, possibly when the shelter was used as a store. Just above ground level a brick capping layer, around the stairwell, suggests that the brick courses above this were a later addition to the structure. A wooden door post at the entrance to the stairwell tells us an outer door was added at the same time. When and for what purpose these later alterations were made is still a mystery. Were they made during its time as a military installation or are they associated with the site’s later life?

The week was finished off with Dave and Angie Hibbitt running a workshop on geophysics, whilst two local detectorists provided the students with an opportunity to try out the technique for themselves. An afternoon presentation on their findings to a group of SHARP volunteers and interested locals rounded off the course for the students. Anna Gow

Bulletin 31 (September 2009)The First Tank Project Update

2009-09-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

A Geophysical Survey was carried out in Lincoln recently as part of the First Tank Project, in conjunction with the Friends of the Lincoln Tank.

Lincoln, along with over 250 other towns and cities around the country had received a Presentation Tank after the Great War, in recognition of monies raised for National Savings. After due ceremony, that tank was sited in Wickham Gardens, next to the Water Tower, and there it remained until it was removed for scrap several years later. Incredible as it may seem, it has not been possible to locate any photographs of the tank in situ, and only recently has it been confirmed that the tank was displayed on the south side of the tower, in a small garden area.

It was decided, therefore to carry out an earth resistance survey to try and ascertain if would be possible to find any evidence of a plinth or railings under the garden.
The survey was duly carried out on 12 September by Dave and Angie Hibbitt, (Grid Nine Geophysics) closely watched by members of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank.
Following interpretation of the results, a full report will be available.

Bulletin 30 (September 2009) Conflict Archaeology News

2009-09-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

Many of you may already be in possession of the latest edition of Current Archaeology - for those that haven't been able to cast their eyes over it - our very own Dr Nick Saunders is featured - launching the new discipline of modern conflict archaeology. Don't forget that details of his new MA in 20th Century Conflict can be found at www. bristol.ac.uk/archanth or www.conflictarchaeology.com

Also, another of our number, Jim Lewis has 2 more books in the Lea Valley series released at the end of September , making a total of five.

And finally.........for any of you that are, or could be in the vicinity of Lincoln tomorrow evening, there are still just a few tickets left for Andrew Robertshaw's talk on 'Digging the Trenches'

Kind regards to you all

Angie Hibbitt
Great War Archaeology Group

Bulletin 29 (August 2009) Forthcoming GWAG Events

2009-08-23T00:35:00.001-07:00

Thought you might like to know about a couple of forthcoming events....

First - Bristol University are hosting a conference on 24 October 2009 - Conflict Archaeology of the Modern Era - please find further details via the link below. The day will be introduced by our own John Winterburn and the list of speakers and subjects certainly whets the appetite! Contact details are also in the pdf file via the link.

Conflict Archaeology Conference at Bristol link

Secondly - The Friends of the Lincoln Tank are welcoming Andrew Robertshaw to speak in Lincoln on 16 September - his subject being 'Digging the Trenches' - The Archaeology of the Western Front. Click on the poster for a larger view.

The short course at Sedgeford Airfield in July went extremely well, with some excellent archaeology and, I understand, an enormous number of artifacts for examination and investigation! Dave and I spent a morning there, giving a short geophysics workshop and all involved seemed to be having a marvellous time. We would certainly have loved to have spent more time there.... Watch the website - there will be a short resume on the course posted soon.

Also, don't forget it will soon be the 4th Jordan season - the 2009 prospectus is on the GARP website.

Kind regards

Angie Hibbitt
Great War ARchaeology Group.

www.gwag.org
www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org

Bulletin 28 (May 2009)Great War Archaeology Group Site Report

2009-05-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

One Tree Hill (likely Anti-Aircraft Gun Site)
Honor Oak Park, Southwark, South London. SE23. NGR: TQ 354 742

Survey and Excavation
25-26 August 2007 and 13-14 September 2008

Site Code: OTH07 and OTH08

Synopsis

This is a non technical brief summary of the recent investigations of the One Tree Hill site by The Great War Archaeology Group (GWAG). A full report will be prepared and made available in due course.

Introduction

During the First World War, London was the target of the first strategic bombing campaign in history.

Raids by German airships and aeroplanes were met by the development of a comprehensive home-defence system based on wireless direction-finding stations, observation posts, searchlights, anti-aircraft guns, and dedicated fighter squadrons. The conflict has been relatively little studied. Many archive sources have not been researched. Little oral history work has been done. Most material remains are unrecorded. Of the 20,469 sites recorded in the Defence of Britain Project, for example, only 322 are of First World War date, only 44 relate to the air war, and of these, half are airfields, with only one searchlight and six anti-aircraft gun emplacements recorded for the whole country.

The Great War Archaeology Group’s pilot ‘First Blitz Project’ in June 2006, carried out in association with BBC Timewatch, demonstrated the potential for further study. Our outer study area, centred on the Lea Valley, extended 40km east-west across West Essex and East Hertfordshire, and 40km northwards from the Thames. In this area alone, our desktop research identified 33 former anti-aircraft gun emplacements and 19 searchlight emplacements. Detailed survey, clearance and excavation at the Monkhams Hall gun emplacement north of Waltham Abbey revealed an observation post and an ammunition store as well as the gun platform itself. The project also demonstrated how archaeological fieldwork can act as a focus for oral history. The BBC recorded interviews with several people who remembered the air-raids as children, including one who had been present at the bombing of Upper North Street School in Poplar on 13 June 1917, when 18 five-year-olds were killed in the infant classroom.

In relation to these events, we are close to the centenary and on the cusp of living memory. There is a strong and urgent case for investigating, recording, preserving and presenting the material remains of the First World War in Britain. A community project centred on the surviving anti-aircraft gun platform at One Tree Hill would make a valuable contribution to this.

The archaeological investigation at One Tree Hill:

Over the weekends of 25-26 August 2007 and 13-14 September 2008, The Great War Archaeology Group investigated the site of a likely anti-aircraft gun emplacement at One Tree Hill. The team used field reconnaissance, archaeological geophysics, metal-detecting, limited surface clearance and excavation to identify, record and report on the condition and state of preservation of the obvious (and not so obvious) features.
The first task was to clean up, record and photograph the main feature which was believed to be the gun platform. Some of the invaluable local oral history collected over the weekend suggested that it was actually a band stand, and the ornate floor of the platform, consisting of concentric rings of well laid bricks, certainly suggested an origin other than military, as do the very ‘municipal park’ looking steps at each corner of the platform. However, once this brick surface had been properly cleared of many years of detritus, evidence was located of its potential military use. At the centre of the concentric rings of bricks we found evidence of where a guide ring could have been anchored to the structure which would have supported a gun (probably the usual 3” or 6-pounder). This type of metal ring, and evidence of, has been seen on other WW1 anti-aircraft gun emplacements around London, notably the one at Monkhams Hall. A narrow slot in the platform surface running from the centre out to one edge and through a small hole in the raised side was suggestive of a channel for a cable or an electrical earthing strip.
An archaeological trench was positioned directly to the north of the platform to investigate the condition of the foundations, and also to search for evidence of a metalled surface which may have encircled the platform. The platform appears to be in a fair condition, but with some evidence of subsidence, clearly demonstrated by the separation of several of the steps (apparently constructed as separate modules) from the platform and also a visually noticeable slant to the platform. At least one of the step modules appear to be contemporary with a laid path leading up to it. This laid path, in turn , appears to be contemporary with the metalled surfaces found elsewhere on the site.

A Geophysical survey was carried out across the site to look for remains of any associated structures. Several areas of potential archaeological interest were found and a series of test pits were used to investigate these areas. Some of the test pits came down on rough metalled surfaces, one with a clear edge to it. However, it is difficult to say at this stage if these surfaces are contemporary with the gun emplacement or with park landscaping. One surprise in a test pit was the uncovering of old service pipes, possibly gas, their source and destination unknown. One hypothesis is that the park may have been lit by gas at some point in its history. Several test pits opened with the assistance of supervised (and very keen) local children revealed iron loops secured into concrete bases, possibly associated with military occupation of the site or metal restraints from former park benches.

Metal detecting revealed very little in the way of military material, which is some cause for concern, as this type of site usually has a light scattering at least of militaria. Several early coins were recovered, along with the ‘usual’ metal detritus you would expect to find in a public space. What became clear from the metal detecting was that the rough surfaces found by the geophysics had ‘sealed in’ the earlier surfaces, and this is clearly demonstrated by the relatively recent metal finds located above the surfaces. As the metal detector survey moved off the surfaces then earlier material was recovered.

The investigations have shown that it is highly likely that the structure is an anti-aircraft gun emplacement. There is no reason why the structure should not have been used for other purposes since the First World War, although no evidence has yet come to light for military re-use during the Second World War. The idea that this structure, which was originally designed for killing, may have had a new lease of life as a band stand – a place to entertain and make people feel relaxed and happy, is rather fitting.
A full report on the work carried out at One Tree Hill will be available in due course, and this report will also address how this site sits within the much larger picture of the defence of London during the First World War.

The Great War Archaeology Group are very grateful to all the people and organisations, especially The Friends of One Tree Hill and Southwark Borough Council, who so willingly co-operated to help make this community based project the success it was, and we hope to possibly return to investigate the site further in the future.
The Great War Archaeology Group is very keen to hear from anyone who may have any information regarding the One Tree Hill site or other sites in the London area and other First World War sites throughout the country.

Contact details are:

Dr Neil Faulkner, 01727 834844 (h), 07974 679805 (m),
Email: neilfaulkner2000@yahoo.co.uk

Dave Hibbitt, 01476 410622 (h), 07976 981027 (m)
Email: dch@gwag.org

Bulletin 27 (May 2009) Upcoming Digs

2009-05-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

Eastern

Sedgeford

Location: Norfolk. Run by: SHARP – the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project. Dates: 5 July – 14 August. Cost: £125 pw inc food and campsite, £20 for day course, £100 for week course, concessions.

Contact: Brenda Stibbons, 4 Alfred Road, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9AN. Tel: 01263 510969, 07786 644980. Email: bookings@sharp.org.uk Web: www.sharp.org.uk

One of the largest, best-appointed, and longest-running projects for volunteers and trainees, SHARP is investigating the entire history of a Norfolk village and rural parish. Major open-area excavations on the Boneyard site of an 8th-10th century Anglo-Saxon cemetery concluded in 2007, and the main excavation site is now that of the associated settlement in the neighbouring Chalkpit Field. Two years of evaluative excavations have revealed good survival of ditches, pits, post-holes, and beam-slots, with abundant deposits of domestic debris, making it likely that this will evolve into a major Middle Saxon settlement excavation offering rich insights into the character and everyday life of the original village. Other work planned this year includes continuing post-excavation analysis of the Boneyard excavations, with work on human remains, animal bones, pottery, and small finds, and preliminary investigation of Sedgeford’s First World War airfield.
Full campsite and catering facilities are available. Participants can enrol as ordinary volunteers or take one or more training courses, including basic excavation, human remains, bones in archaeology, and modern conflict archaeology.

London

Digging Dad’s Army

Location: Shooters Hill, Greenwich. Run by: Digging Dad’s Army: the East and South-East London People’s War Project, 1914-1945. Dates: 13-21 June. Cost: £60 for weekend course, £150 for week course, concessions.

Contact: Andy Brockman, 72 Nithdale Road, London, SE18 3PD. Tel: 0208 316 6358, 07958 543518. Email: andy.archaeology@virgin.net Web: www.gwag.org

Digging Dad’s Army is a new multi-disciplinary, community-based research project centred on a study area in the East and South-East London boroughs of Waltham Forest, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, and Greenwich. Building on existing work on First World War air-war sites, mainly in North-East London, and on Second World War sites on Shooters Hill (Greenwich), DDA will use archives, oral/family history, field reconnaissance, survey, standing-building recording, and excavation to explore the militarised landscapes and popular experience of modern conflict in a densely populated urban area. Work this year will focus on both First and Second World War sites on Shooters Hill. There will be courses covering modern conflict archaeology, basic field skills, and standing-building recording.

Bulletin 26 (May 2009) Zeppelins, Fighters, and Ack-Ack: an introduction to modern conflict archaeology

2009-05-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Dr Neil Faulkner and Dr Keith Robinson

Sunday 26 July – Friday 31 July

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the theory and techniques of modern conflict archaeology through the investigation of Sedgeford Aerodrome – a home defence and training airfield in the First World War, and a decoy airfield in the Second. Combining taught sessions, desktop research, and guided fieldwork, students will experience the full range of methods involved in the study of modern industrialised warfare. These will include: the use of archives, maps, old photos, and the internet; survey work using GPS-recording, geophysics, and metal-detecting; standing-building recording; and carefully targeted excavation. We will also cover the relationship between material remains in the landscape and memories, commemorations, family and local histories, and political and moral issues.

Bulletin 25 (March 2009) Investigating the Wireless Listening Station at Hunstanton

2009-03-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Documentary and photographic evidence exists of the Wireless Listening Station at Hunstanton, which was used to overhear the radio transmissions between the German Zeppelins and their home bases. The Station was one of a number along the east coast, providing vital information on the movement of these bombers.

Although we have the above evidence, the exact location of the listening hut and associated aerials is not known for certain.

Photographs and postcards show that the aerials should have been placed high on the cliffs at Hunstanton, between the lighthouse and the coastguard look out station. Sadly this area is subject to erosion, and some of the remaining evidence may have already fallen into the sea, so time is of the essence to try and records that which remains.

Angie Hibbitt liaised closely with the local authority, who were exceptionally positive and helpful, and a date was set to carry out a geophysical resistance survey in the area where we believe the aerials to have been sited. Chris Mackie contacted the local media who interviewed both him and Dave Hibbitt and kindly publicised the survey and the story of the listening post. Almost immediately, members of the public started to contact Chris, with many pieces of very useful information.

On the day of the survey, Hunstanton was wreathed in a wet cold sea mist obscuring most of the survey site. However, geophysicists are a hardy bunch and the survey was carried out, with the assistance of GWAG members, Charlie Middleton, and Chris Mackie, clip board in hand, who chatted to the numerous visitors, both casual and in response to the media pieces.

The day was a success – with the surveyors, Grid Nine, reporting anomalies that could be associated with the masts, and thus be of potential archaeological significance for the project. Huge amounts of information were received from members of the public, and as a result, we will be returning in the near future to survey a second area, in an attempt to locate the site of the listening huts themselves.

Bulletin 24 (Feb 2009)GARP IN PUBLICATIONS

2009-02-15T11:24:00.001-08:00

Julian Evan-Hart has recently had an illustrated GARP related article published in the current issue of Treasure Hunting magazine.

This is an enthralling account of some of the finds and other activities of the Great Arab Revolt Project 2008 Season, which took place in Jordan in November last year.

In his usual entertaining and enthusiastic style Jules has managed to capture the excitement and variety of the trip, and he eloquently describes how it melds the technologies of metal detecting and internet research together with the academic aims of the project. It is a thoroughly good read and highly recommended. Also as can be seen below three rogues appear on the cover of the magazine, which is the March issue and is in the shops now. (Available in larger branches of W.H. Smiths)

Also about to be published is the latest issue of Current World Archaeology which will include a GARP article and extracts from this years blog.

CWA - "the UK's no 1 world archaeology magazine" - (ok the UK's only world archaeology magazine) - is available in Foyles/Borders/by subscription - next issue is out late March.

Bulletin 23 (September 2008) ONE TREE HILL. HONOR OAK PARK, LEWISHAM, LONDON

2008-09-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

GWAG first visited Honor Oak Park in August 2007, following liaison with Friends of One Tree Hill, to investigate site of a WW1 gun emplacement and its environs. The activities that weekend consisted of cleaning up and recording the gun emplacement, carrying out geophysical and metal detector surveys and excavating a small number of test pits. Although there were tantalising glimpses of possible evidence of Great War occupation, it was felt that further investigation was necessary to try to locate structures and activity associated with the emplacement.

GWAG therefore returned for a further weekend of work in September 2008.

Trench 1 showing metalled surface and plinth

The Friends of One Tree Hill and GWAG both recognised the vital importance of oral history as well as archaeological investigation into this popular recreational area and the weekends investigation was publicised widely in the local area, to attract visitors, in particular those with memories or stories to tell.

A further metal detector survey was conducted, as well as a visual check of the morphology of the site, and a number of areas for excavation were identified.

Trench 1 was sited to the south of the emplacement in a grassy area devoid of shrubbery. A roughly laid metalled surface was located, which continued under the modern path. A plinth of rough stone was set onto this surface, next to an area of clay. When the trench was extended to ascertain the southerly extent of the surface an area of intense burning was located, along with a large number of finds including complete half pint milk bottles, pottery, glass, and metal objects including three cast iron objects, one of which appears to a grate and other two the sides of a stove. Nearby a cast iron tray was located.

Trench 2 was located to the east of the site. Evidence for the edge of the metalled surface was located, but nothing in the way of finds.

Trench 3 was sited adjacent to the gun emplacement to identify the relationship of the steps to the emplacement with ‘crazy paving’ leading south east. The metalled surface was located here as well, and appeared to be contemporary with the emplacement and its steps.

Trench 3 Ian H clears thistles to find more metalling

Trench 4 was placed in the area of the only thistles on the site, in an attempt to locate a possible latrine. This was not fully excavated due to time constraints, and only a continuation of the metalled surface was identified, with a possible edge to the south.

It is clear that the area generally to the south of the gun emplacement was metalled in what appears to be hasty manner. Although there were few datable finds from period being investigated, the archaeological evidence together with the known history of the site suggests that this surface was placed over an extensive area to facilitate the building and manning of the gun emplacement.

The full report for this site will follow.

GWAG would like to thank the friends of One Tree Hill for their support and assistance with this project.

A Gallery of pictures associated with this year's work is available here

Bulletin 22(September 2008)One Tree Hill revisited

2008-09-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

GWAG members together with the Friends of One Tree Hill resumed exploratory work at the Honor Oak site yesterday. The main visible feature of the World War One gun emplacement was further investigated as was the nearby land, with a view to locating ancillary structures which may have been associated with the emplacement.

Two surface trenches were begun revealing some evidence of what might have been a path or track up to the gun. The work continues today and there will be a further report shortly.

Bulletin 21 (August 2008)The Archaeology of the First of the 20th-Century's Great Conflicts

2008-08-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

A day school to be held at Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford.

'Our knowledge and understanding of the First World War is considerable and yet much remains hidden. As we rapidly approach a time when there will be no surviving veterans of the conflict, the Great War through its archaeology offers a relatively new phenomenon that utilises familiar methodologies as well as innovative approaches to gain a better understanding of the war. This day school draws together a number of leading experts on Great War archaeology to examine a broad range of themes - from the sands of the desert war to the mud of Flanders and the material traces of those who fought'

Saturday 28 February 2009

Speakers include -

Dr Nicholas Saunders - 'Trench Art: Material Culture and the Antrhopological Dimensions of Great War Archaeology'

Richard Osgood & Martin Brown - 'We shall Certainly Change The Geography: Soldiers, civilians and the battle of Messines'

Peter Chassead - 'Imaging Golgotha - Aerial Photpgrahs and Trench Maps of the Western Front'

Dr Neil Faulkener - 'Trains Trenches and Tents: the Archaeology of Lawrence of Arabia's War'

Jon Price - 'Rise and Deride This Sepulchre of Crime: The Role of Archaeology and the Missing Dead of the Great War'

Fee options
With full lunch - £50
With baguette lunch - £42.50
Without lunch - £40

For further information - www.conted.co.ax.uk

Bulletin 20 (July 2008)New GWAG Web Site launched

2008-07-02T00:13:00.000-07:00

The GWAG Web Site has undergone a complete revamp making it far quicker to load and easier to navigate. Also more images on every page give a better overview of the range of work of the group.

Take a look here

Also for information David Thorpe, one of our Directors, is having spinal surgery/reconstruction at Kings College Hospital in south London on 30th June and expects to spend only a few days incarcerated before embarking on 3 weeks of boredom in Tunbridge Wells. "Only Billy Piper in Belle De Jour will have spent so much time on her back! Several months more are then to be enjoyed. All, and all is INCLUSIVE, visitors are welcome. Books and chat very much encouraged. David is damned determined to be fit and as obstreperous as normal by GARP Season 3 in November. Sadly, the scars will be small (as are many other things...) Dx"

Finally, Have you seen the other European Great War Archaeology web sites in our links list on the right? Have a look at the Plugstreet Project and No Mans Land Info for information about related archaeological work going on in Belgium and Northern France.

Bulletin 18 (June 2008)Back to Jordan with the Military

2008-06-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Last November, as reported on the GARP Website, we archaeologists bumped into a group of British soldiers on exercise in southern Jordan. They had been following our progress via Roger’s daily blog and tracked us down to find out what exactly we were up to in such a wilderness (They thought they were the only Brits mad enough to be only 40kms from the Saudi border!). Neil and I spoke briefly with them at both Wadi Rtm and Ma’an, and exchanged details.

As a result of these chance encounters I was asked by British Forces Cyprus (BFC) to accompany their annual educational Battlefield Tour. In May of 2008 it was to be to southern Jordan: In the Footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia. David, the left-wing arch and a bunch of hard-core soldiers?? Not a match made in heaven you’d think. But, you’d be wrong.

I spent nine days (1 and a half of them in the Officers Mess in Cyprus—which included a swimming pool and great grub) with 25 members of BFC, both male and female. And, as a particular bonus, my days were also spent with Jeremy Wilson, the pre-eminent scholar of Lawrence of Arabia, my co-“expert”. We encompassed GARP sites from Amman to Aqaba, from Wadi Rtm to Fasouah to Lissan, and by 4x4s the length and breadth of Rum. We had Jordanian advisors with us, Bedouin guides and many on site, and in hotel, discussions on the 1916-18 Ottoman/Arab campaigns and how they related to the UK military’s experiences in modern day Afghanistan. (It is worth noting that almost all of the BFC group I accompanied had served in Afghanistan or Iraq or both. Most are due back there soon.)

From GARP’s and GWAG’s viewpoint I learnt an inestimable amount. Not just from Jeremy (I expected that), but also from the serving soldiers. They have a view of the terrain, its difficulties/obstructions, military practicalities, and varying insights that I hope to bring to our weeks in Jordan in November. I can honestly say it was a pleasure to learn from a Lance Corporal and a cavalry officer, to mention only two.

On a personal note: I came back to the UK with an entirely different point of view of British service personnel. This is going to sound trite, but….they were insightful, highly disciplined, respectful of our Jordanian hosts, willing to learn, and extremely tolerant of this rather radical arch. And, yes, bloody intelligent. How naïve I must have been—thank you tabloid press. Damn good laugh, too! So thank you to Majors M., J., R., C., RAF K., the Colonel and the entire BFC group for one of the most enlightening and enjoyable week’s of my life.

[And I got to do the ubiquitous tour of Petra as well!]

I sincerely hope GARP will be in touch with BFC and Jeremy again in the near future.

David Thorpe
June 2008

PS. So you all don’t think I’ve “sold out”, the BFC plaque I was presented with now resides alongside a Che Guevara candle. The Colonel and Majors had joked about this possibility—it is reality!

Dave is also writing articles on his visit for future publication in Current World Archaeology and the British Army Review.

Bulletin 17 (June 2008)Great War Events

2008-06-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Great War related Events

'The Great War 1914-1918 - A Corner Of A Foreign Field'
An exhibition at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln from 3 May to 19 July 2008.

This is the brain child of, and is presented by, Mike Credland of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank, and includes displays of objects, costumes and memorabilia from the Great War.

'Tommies, Trenches and Tanks'
Also being held at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life on Saturday 21 June 2008 10am to 5pm

This event focuses on WWI and links to the above exhibition. There will be lots happening, including displays by members of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank, a presentation of WWI images of Lincolnshire, rationing, the homefront, etc. The Museum as also launching their Please Make Poppies appeal - visitors can make poppies to be displayed in November for the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1

Experience life during the Great War - 1914 to 1918 memorabilia, displays, demonstrations and activities, WWI archaeology, WWI war games workshop, children's craft activities, printing and propaganda, Life on the ‘Home Front’, War letters and poetry, Lincolnshire images of the period. Tickets £3.10 for adults and £2.00 Concessions.

'Talk by Dr John Bourne, The Collection, Lincoln'
The Friends of the Lincoln Tanks are presenting an evening of talks on Wednesday 2 July at 7pm. Dr John Bourne will be speaking on 'Joffre's War - A Sherwood Forrester In The Great War'. Local Lincoln Historian Rod Fanthorpe will also be speaking on 'Christopher Addison - Mother's Midwife'. Tickets are £8 each and available from me.

An finally - an event that is NOT happening in Lincoln! A reminder about -

'Not Just Rust and Dust: New Perspectives in Conflict Archaeology’ - Conference 2008
To be held at The Royal Logistic Corps Museum, The Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 6RW on Sunday 13th July 2008.

Speakers include
Dr.Neil Faulkner - War Without a Front: The Archaeology of Lawrence of Arabia’s War
Dr. Tal Simmons - The Taphonomy of Execution and Ambush Sites in The Balkan War.
Dr. Andrew Shortland - Ramses II and the Battle of Kadesh
Glenn Foard - Edgehill – The Archaeology of an early- Modern Battle
Andy Brockman - Between the Lines on Stop Line Central – A Militarised Civilian Landscape in South East London
Martin Brown and Richard Osgood - “..We shall certainly change the geography.” – soldiers, civilians and the archaeology of The Battle

For further details - Telephone 01252 833371
Email information – assistant@rlcmuseum.com
Tickets - shop@rlcmuseum.com

Tickets £20.00, including refreshments and buffet lunch. Reductions for students and Museum Friends.

Bulletin 16 (May 2008)T. E. Lawrence Society Symposium

2008-05-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

T. E. Lawrence Society Symposium to be held at St. John's College, Oxford, 26-28 September 2008

Saturday, 2.00-3.00

Dr Neil Faulkner: Trains, Trenches and Tents: The Archaeology of Lawrence of Arabia’s war.

At the 2004 Symposium, Matthew Hughes argued that the Arab revolt of 1916-1918 was militarily unimportant. This view is not supported by the evidence of the modern conflict archaeology in Southern Jordan. Two seasons of fieldwork have shown that the entire landscape was militarised, implying a huge investment of manpower and materiel by the Ottoman Empire to contain the Revolt. Neil Faulkner will argue that the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare cannot be measured using criteria applicable to conventional warfare in the way that Matthew Hughes tried to do. He will also demonstrate that the Arab Revolt had a profound strategic impact on the outcome of the campaign in Palestine and Syria during the First World War, and that it helped in the launch of Arab nationalism as a major force in modern global politics.

Although it is organised by the society everyone is welcome to attend. If people don't want to come for the whole symposium they can attend and pay for just the days/meals/accomodation they want. There is a flexible tariff of prices.

Please see links below:

Full Symposium programme
http://telsociety.org.uk/telsociety/symposia/2008oxf.htm
Prices and booking form
http://telsociety.org.uk/telsociety/symposia/booking.htm

Bulletin 15 (April 2008) Friends of the Lincoln Tank Talk

2008-04-23T04:34:00.001-07:00

The Friends of the Lincoln Tank present distinguished historians Professor Richard Holmes and Major Gordon Corrigan, speaking about The Great War on the same bill for the first time.

They will speak separately and then will both take questions from the audience.

This promises to be a unique and fascinating evening.

Date: Wednesday 28 May 2008 at 7.30pm at the Drill Hall,
Free School Lane, Lincoln LN2 1EY.

Tickets, costing £15 are available from the Drill Hall Box Office tel 01522 873894.

Bulletin 14 (April 2008)National History Show Olympia

2008-04-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

The National History Show is being held at Olympia in London from 2 to 4 May 2008. There are actually three events - one being 'Military History Live'.

I was delighted to see that the logo being used for this includes, in centre stage, a WW1 Tank. Its great to see this iconic machine getting the recognition it so richly deserves, and this can only enhance the work we are doing for the First Tank Project. (Link)

Angie Hibbitt
April 2008

Bulletin 13 (March 2008) News from friends in Jordan and new GARP article

2008-03-13T02:48:00.000-07:00

Updates from friends in Jordan:

Salah's son thinks basketball is greatest game since we played in scorching heat in Wadi Rum. Thinks old (!!!) David should coach not play...

Mohammed and Hannah have texted to say children have eaten all sweets, despite H's mothers best efforts to ration them, and that Hannah is expecting another child. All the best from us limeys.

Mansour is now ensconced in his new directorial role (professorship beckoning?) and only wishes to know why we are not there to help with lectures.

All above from emails and mainly texts in Jan Feb 2008. David THorpe

New magazine article:
GARP 2007 will be featured in a large article in May's issue of Treasure Hunting magazine available from Smiths etc from 11th April 2008.

There have been some good group shots of things we did, as well as detector
finds, submitted for publication, although the magazine itself will make decision over which images go for final publication...if all are accepted the article will have a total of twenty three GARP 2007 related photographs in it.

In June issue available in early May will be the Review I wrote for the Zeppelin
book, although if space permits they may include this in the above mentioned
issue. Julian Evan-Hart March 2008

Bulletin 12 (Feb 2008) First Tank Project Weekend in Lincoln

2008-02-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

Both the talks given on Saturday 23 February and the Open Day on 24 February were a resounding success.

All the tickets for the talk at the Collection were sold, with people travelling from as far away as Yorkshire and Northamptonshire. The packed house was not disappointed. Richard Pullen gave a fascinating overview of how and why the Tank came to be developed and of Lincoln's role.

This was followed by a thought provoking presentation by Neil on the Archaeology of Conflict, why the Great War was so different to everything that came before and the impact that it still has in the modern world. There were a great many questions for both speakers, from the audience - so much so the questions had to be curtailed to allow everyone to go home! A positive sign indeed!

The Open Day was always going to be an unknown quantity - would the Great War Archaeologists and Friends of the Lincoln Tank be sitting alone ....waiting? No. There was a stream of interested locals and more importantly people with stories to tell from the moment the doors opened to the end of play. It seemed as if Lincoln folk had just been waiting for an opportunity like this to come and tell their tales and show their photos.

The Friends of the Lincoln Tank did us proud with their displays of memorabilia - from a Vickers Machine Gun, to a WW1 Douglas motor cycle, to a remote control Mk IV tank (the size of our settee!), to medals. models, photos, books, plans, badges, brooches, uniform, you name it........ they brought it.

I'm absolutely delighted with the way the whole weekend went. My main aim, raising public awareness and interest was definitely acheived. Richard certainly has plenty more information for edition three of his 'Landships of Lincoln'. The Great War Archaeology Group has made its mark in the City.

We now need to consolidate the information we have, and find how we can best use it to help us with fieldwork on the Western front. Dave and I will carry out further geophysics to attempt to identify areas for for further investigation in Lincoln.

Finally I'd like to thank Neil Faulkner and Richard Pullen for both their presentations, to Dave Start of the Heritage Trust For Lincolnshire for introducing them and holding the evening together, to The Collection for allowing us to hold the talks in their wonderful lecture theatre and for making the evening run so smoothly, to the Royal Naval Association Club on Coulson Road in Lincoln for their hospitality (nothing was too much trouble) and to the Friends of the Lincoln Tank for supporting both events so fully.

Angie Hibbitt February 2008

Bulletin 11 (Feb 2008)Archaeology 2008 - The British Museum Conference Report

2008-02-14T03:37:00.000-08:00

Archaeology 2008 - The British Museum Conference Report

The conference was hosted by Current Archaeology, Current World Archaeology and sponsored by the Traveller and the Portable Antiquity Scheme. It took place at the British Museum the 9th and 10th February 2008.

The places sold out; there were delegates, speakers and moderators, at least 500 people. The place was packed, so much so that one theatre had a dearth of spaces for the audience and an overflow facility with sound-only had to be hastily arranged. The British Museum staff, frazzled as they must have been with the simultaneous Chinese New Year celebrations, were unfailingly kind, polite and couldn’t do too much for everyone.

It is impossible to précis all the presentations, as two theatres were in use concurrently, and delegates had to choose one or other talk to go to. The topics were generally well presented with power point, and it was a pity the time slots for each were not longer, although the moderators did a fine job reminding the speakers when it was time to make room for the next presenter. There was a few question time sessions, but not enough and at the end of most sections of talks, although time for these was also limited. However, the breaks allowed everyone to meet and discuss issues, and the speakers were happy to mingle with the crowd and answer queries or to expand on their topic.

The speakers came from all walks of archaeological interest; diggers, historians, geophysicists, freelance and amateur, we saw and heard them all. Topics were presented of projects yet ongoing, nearly and newly published –we got some crafty book plugs- as well as topics old and new, all presented with verve, humour and some gorgeous illustrations. All areas of the U.K. were represented in the talks as well as further afield, as well as many eras of history. Pre-historians and Romanists were catered for; although Dr. Neil Faulkner’s passionate view of Roman Empire atrocities caused some to re-think their ideas of ‘Jolly Good Chaps and a Good Thing’ and shocked many into seeing modern parallels.

New to many was the subject of Conflict Archaeology, presented by Dr. Nicholas Saunders, an archaeologist and anthropologist. He introduced the topic as a multi-disciplinary subject that traced and recorded modern industrial warfare in the 20th and, alas, the 21st centuries. His interest as an anthropologist was very much to the fore. Instead of reciting the counting of bullets and shell casings, he took pains to present some of the victims, the 18 year old who never got to go home, the lost man killed on the Somme, with a pre-historic knapped flint in his bag, named when found decades later with a family who still wondered what had happened. Oral history was of paramount importance in pin-pointing places people lived and died in, of the feelings and thoughts of those who did go home, and it should still be of paramount importance as we are losing so many of the generations who fought in later conflicts. It was brought home quite forcibly that the legacy of these recent conflicts affect us all, no matter which flag we stand beneath.

Continuing on from this theme was Nadia Durrani’s presentation of the Archaeology of the first Blitz to hit our shores, with an account of Zeppelins over Britain in 1917. GWAG members were involved in a series of investigations in 2006, looking at World War One airfields, gun emplacements and a Zeppelin crash in Suffolk. Nadia ably conveyed the amount of detail the group managed to elicit
from desktop research, site surveys and excavations. Time constraints caused some points to be missed –although there was a book plug squeezed in- but the GWAG members present felt the excitement and interest of such new archaeology was well put forward.

As with every dig, details of moments of laughter and perhaps more importantly, those of extreme sadness when contemplating such recent lives lost, are unconveyable to another audience, but as with Dr. Saunders talk, many felt a poignancy and emotion not often experienced in history further removed from our memories.
Odette Nelson - Feb 2008
___________________________________________________________________________

Bulletin 10 (Feb 2008)Archaeology 2008 - The British Museum 10th February 2008

2008-02-06T03:39:00.000-08:00

This prestigious event will host two GWAG related talks:
"Conflict Archaeology, and why it matters"
Dr Nicholas J. Saunders
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol

"In search of the Zeppelin War: the archaeology of the First Blitz"
Dr Nadia Durrani
Editor, Current World Archaeology

For more details of these please click here

Bulletin 9 (Jan 2008)The First Tank Project

2008-01-06T03:31:00.000-08:00

The talk by Dr Neil Faulkner on 23 February 2008 will take place at in the Lecture Theatre at The Collection, Lincoln from 7pm. (See event poster - click here)

Neil will be speaking on ‘Tanks, Zepps and Training Trenches: the archaeology of Britain at War 1914 to 1918.’ His talk will encompass the archaeology of conflict - what is it, why is it different and why does it matter? Why was the First World War different to those that had gone before? Also, projects by other groups, e.g. No Man’s Land work on training trenches, as well as GWAG’s own projects e.g. the First Blitz.

Neil will be joined by Richard Pullen MA, who will be speaking about the Development of the Tank, and recent fieldwork carried out in and around Lincoln. Richard lives in Lincoln and is local and Great War historian, archaeologist, historian, founder member of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank and author – including ‘Landships of Lincoln’.

This will be followed on Sunday 24 February by the Open Day at The Royal Naval Club on Coulson Road in Lincoln. The Friends of the Lincoln Tank, along with GWAG will be putting on a display of the history and development of the Tank in Lincolnshire, together with model WW1 Tanks and an exhibition of WW1 artefacts. Locals are being encouraged to come along with their own stories, family memories or mementos to help fill in the gaps in our knowledge.
Angie Hibbitt - 6 January 2008

Bulletin 8 (Jan 2008) Lincoln Open Day

2008-01-04T03:30:00.000-08:00

date has now been set for the aforementioned ‘Open Day’ in Lincoln. It will be held on Sunday 24 February 2008 at the Royal Naval Club on Coulson Road in Lincoln.

This venue has been specially chosen due to its close proximity to the site of the William Fosters Factory and the testing grounds at Poppletons Field.

The main intentions of the Open Day are to raise public awareness of the local development of the Tank, by having displays of the History of the Factory and the Tanks, as well as encouraging people to come and talk about any memories they may have, or stories that may have been passed down through the family. There will be members of the Friends of the Lincoln Tank on hand to record these oral accounts.

Dr Neil Faulkner will also be at the event, to discuss the project both in Lincoln and in Europe.

Neil will also be giving a presentation in Lincoln on Saturday 23 February 2008

Further details to follow in in due course

Bulletin 7 (August 2007) The First Blitz Project - One Tree Hill

2007-08-14T03:16:00.000-07:00

The First Blitz Project - One Tree Hill

GWAG carried out an evaluation at the site of a WW1 Gun Emplacement at One Tree Hill, South London over the weekend of 25 and 26 August 2007. The Gun Emplacement itself was cleared, recorded and photographed. Metal detector and geophysical surveys were carried out to identify areas of potential archaeological interest and a small number of test pits were excavated. Provisional results have shown the Emplacement to be in fair condition. The test pits revealed much consolidation of land and park landscaping, together with evidence of the supply of services
to the site. A rough concreted surface was also located.

The weekend had been widely publicised which resulted in a good deal of local interest and a number of the visitors were able to add their own memories or knowledge of the area. Local historians now have further information on the site to follow up, and their research will be used in conjunction with GWAG’s findings to develop the project further.

The First Tank Project

GWAG has been working closely with the Friends of the Lincoln Tank, to arrange fieldwork
and desk top study in Lincoln.

A geophysical survey was carried out during August 2007 at Burton Park, near Lincoln, which is where the early prototype tanks, including Mother, were tested.

It is intended that an ‘Open Day’ be held at premises in the area of the site of William Fosters Factory for members of the public to bring along any finds they may have found in gardens of
houses built in the area of Poppletons Field, or to talk about memories or family stories they may have about the construction of the tank, or of the foundry where the tanks were built.
Angie Hibbitt

Bulletin 6 (July 2007) First Blitz Project/GARP website launched

2007-07-28T03:14:00.000-07:00

A proposed ‘First Blitz’ project based around the One Tree Hill gun emplacement in South London

During the First World War, London was the target of the first strategic bombing campaign in history. Raids by German airships and aeroplanes were met by the development of a comprehensive home-defence system based on wireless direction-finding stations, observation posts, searchlights, anti-aircraft guns, and dedicated fighter squadrons. The conflict has been relatively little studied. Many archive sources have not been researched. Little oral history work has been done. Most material remains are unrecorded. Of the 20,469 sites recorded in the Defence of Britain Project, for example, only 322 are of First World War date, only 44 relate to the air war, and of these, half are airfields, with only one searchlight and six anti-aircraft gun emplacements recorded for the whole country.

The Great War Archaeology Group’s pilot ‘First Blitz Project’ in June 2006, carried out in association with BBC Timewatch, demonstrated the potential. Our outer study area, centred on the Lea Valley, extended 40km east-west across West Essex and East Hertfordshire, and 40km northwards from the Thames. In this area alone, our desktop research identified 33 former anti-aircraft gun emplacements and 19 searchlight emplacements. Detailed survey, clearance and excavation at the Monkhams Hall gun emplacement north of Waltham Abbey revealed an observation post and an ammunition store as well as the gun platform itself. The project also demonstrated how archaeological fieldwork can act as a focus for oral history. TheBBC recorded interviews with several people who remembered the air-raids as children, including one who had been present at the bombing of Upper North Street School in Poplar on 13 June 1917, when 18 five-year-olds were killed in the infant classroom.

In relation to these events, we are close to the centenary and on the cusp of living memory. There is a strong and urgent case for investigating, recording, preserving and presenting the material remains of the First World War in Britain. A community project centred on the surviving anti-aircraft gun platform at One Tree Hill would make a valuable contribution to this.

We are planning a preliminary survey, on the weekend of 25-26 August, using field reconnaissance, geophysics, metal-detecting, and limited surface clearance toidentify and record obvious features. We will link this with archive research, especially of old maps, and an oral history project, where we will use the focus of archaeological activity, advertised in advance, to encourage local people with memories of the site to come forward. We will welcome visitors and would be set up to explain what we were doing and why.

This will be a preliminary and evaluative investigation with a view: a) to furtherwork on the site, possibly, if appropriate, including small excavation trenches; and b) to developing a wider project using archives, memories and material remains to explore the character and impact of the air-raids in the area. If such a project developed, we would be keen to facilitate maximum community involvement, including local schools.

GARP dedicated website launched

The Great Arab Revolt Project (GARP) now has it’s own dedicated website. Originally it was part of this website, but has proved to be so popular it has had to move! On the GARP website you can find out about this pioneering project which is now into it’s second season of fieldwork in Jordan (November 2007). There is also information about T.E Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) and other related articles and links.
Visit the website at: www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org

The First Tank Project

Work is continuing on the First Tank Project at a steady pace. August 2007 will see a geophysical survey carried out at one of the early testing grounds to the north-west of Lincoln, to see if any ditches or other features remain. A desk-based study of early maps and original architects drawings of William Foster’s Wellington Factory in Lincoln (where the first tanks were built) is proving interesting. Other related buildings in and around Lincoln are also being studied.

Dr Neil Faulkner and David Hibbitt PIFA - Great War Archaeology Group

Bulletin 5 (March 2007)Great Arab Revolt/First BLitz/First Tank Project

2007-03-17T03:13:00.000-07:00

Great Arab Revolt
A team of almost 30 commenced work in South Jordan in November, as planned.
Work was carried out over a period of two weeks, at two sites – Ma’an and Bat’n Al Ghul.
For more information and photographs – see Projects

First Blitz
GWAG was featured on the BBC2 Timewatch programme ‘ Zeppelin – The First Blitz’ at the beginning of February.
Two further summaries are now available together with photographs – see Projects

First Tank Project
GWAG’s latest project took a step closer to fruition following a meeting in Lincoln on 28 February 2007 which included GWAG, The Friends Of The Lincoln Tank, and the City Archaeologist. This will be a combined venture to involved the excavation of a Tank on the Western Front and field work in the City of Lincoln where the Tank was developed and initially manufactured.
For more information – see Projects.

Bulletin 4 (July 2006) First Blitz

2006-07-14T03:11:00.000-07:00

Summaries of three of the projects are now available to download from the First Blitz section of the Projects page on gwag.org. Also there are two upcoming related articles due for publication - Dr Neil Faulkner writes about the history of the Zeppelin with special focus on the L31 in the BBC History magazine and there will be an article in Current Archaeology about the Theberton site.

Bulletin 3 (November 2005)First Blitz/Timewatch/Great Arab Revolt Project

2005-11-21T03:05:00.000-08:00

First Blitz
Work has progressed steadily on the First Blitz project. In early September a team headed up by Ali Baldry and David Thorpe, with the help of metal detectorists Anne Smith and friends, we were able to do the initial detector survey of the Zeppelin crash site in Potters Bar. Some quite encouraging finds lead us to believe we have located the crash site and a more comprehensive survey is planned for the New Year. Elsewhere, Jim Lewis and Duncan Ward have continued their research into various elements of the project. Jim has been particularly focusing on the Marconi Listening Post he has located in North-West Norfolk, and we hope to get permission to do some work there in the New Year, whilst Duncan has been desperately trying to find an actual bomb site caused by the Zeppelins.

Timewatch Announcement
Following on from the above, GWAG has received exciting news. BBC2’s Timewatch programme has commissioned Neil and David to make a documentary special on the air war of London in 1915/16. The programme will focus on the story of the L31 zeppelin raids undertaken by the renowned German commander Mathé. Archaeological sites to be excavated for the programme will include an Anti-Aircraft and searchlight battery close to Waltham Abbey in Essex, as well as a Royal Flying Corps airfield near Epping and the zeppelin crash site in Potters Bar. Zeppelin bomb sites are currently being investigated (We need your help with this! Does anyone have any knowledge of a prospective bomb site that could be dug?).

Jordan and the Great Arab Revolt
As outlined in Bulletin 2 the ongoing project in Jordan is now a certainty. We have obtained exclusive permission from the Jordanian department of Antiquities to carry out a long term research, identification and excavation of all the Hashemite Kingdom’s First World War sites over a projected ten year period. In addition to this, David recently had tea with Prince Hassan of the Jordanian royal family at the Princes’ London home! He has offered any and all help, and would like to not only be a consultant to the project, but a primary resource as well. He is even interested in helping GWAG to write the first comprehensive English language account of the great Arab revolt.

The Land Rover!
GWAG have bought a long wheel base Land Rover! This has been fetchingly re-painted in racing green and will soon have the GWAG logo stenciled on the doors and roof.

Contact
As always, if anyone would like to get in contact, either to help, offer information or just to say hello then please use the contact details in the Contact Us section.