About that Druid...

The story of the week has undoubtedly been the Colchester 'druid' grave. Most of the stories have generated their material from a couple of very informative pages from the Colchester Archaeological Trust website. If you want it from the horses mouth, have a look at the following links.

For an overview of the doctor's burial, these pages carry a layout of the grave and plenty of textual information. You can also read Ralph Jackson's piece about the instruments uncovered during the dig here.

Roman temple found in Colchester over half-term holiday

From the Gazette (Essex)

Colchester: Remains of Roman temple found

By Lynne Milford

Foundations of a Roman temple have been successfully located on a school playing field.

A geophysical survey was carried out at Colchester Royal Grammar School, in Lexden Road, Colchester, during the half-term holiday.

Dr Peter Jones, director of science at the school, said he hoped future work would be carried out to confirm the outline of a Roman road which is believed to also be on the field.

He said: "The south-eastern corner of the playing fields is known to contain the remains of the foundations of a Roman temple.

"This site was subject to an extensive archaeological excavation in the late 1940s.

"The school was approached by Tim Dennis of Essex University, who wished to do a private geophysical survey of the site - involving ground resistance and magnetometry studies - using surface measurements only in order to locate the outline of the temple.

"The survey was completed in partnership with the Colchester Archaeological Trust and the Colchester Sixth Form College, which has an archaeology department."

The South Dorset Ridgeway Heritage Project launches

From BBC NEWS

A three-year project to record details of an area's rich archaeological treasures has been launched.

The South Dorset Ridgeway Heritage Project will be working with volunteers to put the area's important ancient history on the map.

John Gale, of Bournemouth University, said: "The density of Bronze Age burial mounds along the Ridgeway is second to none in England."

Monuments from the late Stone Age were examined in a pilot survey last summer.

The area is designated as one of outstanding natural beauty.

Countryside Officer Tom Munro said: "Over the next three years we'll be working on surveys, going into local schools, designing interpretation and guides and promoting circular walks in this beautiful area, as well as putting on a big programme of fun, informative and inspirational events."