Where is Bamburgh?

Bamburgh can be found on the East Coast of Northumberland, close to the border between England and Scotland. It lies around 50 miles north of Newcastle, and 15 miles south of Berwick on Tweed. To the East of Bamburgh lies the North sea, and the Farne Isles. To the North is Holy Island. Bamburgh sits at the point where the Cheviots run into the sea.

It is easily accessible, being only 5 miles from the main arterial road through the North, the A1 and close to the main northern train line, which stops at both Newcastle and Berwick.

What is there at Bamburgh?

Bamburgh is a small, picturesque village dominated by an imposing medieval castle, which is still inhabited today.

Despite its sleepy appearance, Bamburgh has been a pivotal site throughout the history of the British Isles. Just a few examples of the amazing wealth of archaeology and history in Bamburgh are:

· Mesolithic flint scatters.
· Bronze Age barrows.
· The site of a Roman signal station.
· The Northumbrian capital for several centuries in the early Medieval.
· A 45m deep Saxon well.
· A Saxon church plus a second containing a probable, unexcavated, Saxon crypt
· A Saxon trading port or Wic.
· An intact Norman keep.
· 12th century church within the castle.
· Complex Medieval defences.
· A medieval leper hospital.
· A Dominican friary.
· Extensive post medieval remodelling of the castle and village.
· Modern rebuilding of the castle by the Industrialist Lord Armstrong

Why was the project started?

The Bamburgh Castle Research Project was started in 1996, in order to create a better understanding of the archaeology and history of Bamburgh and it's environment. Until this point, knowledge of the archaeology of Bamburgh was very limited. Excavation was undertaken in the 60's and early 70s by Dr Brian Hope-Taylor, but the results remain unpublished.

However, historical sources tell us that Bamburgh has an intricate and fascinating past, and is integral to the understanding of Northumbria and therefore early England. It could be said that the history of Bamburgh is the history of the North.

With the paucity of investigation into the area, a small group of dedicated, professional field archaeologists formed the Bamburgh Research Project with the aim of creating a long term, field based, series of investigations which would allow a better understanding of Bamburgh's past. The Committee also feel that too much valuable archaeology is lost through contract-based excavation and that a long-term project could provide a perfect arena for archaeologically based scientific research, done at a steady pace.

A further reason for the initiation of the project was that the three core members of the Research Committee had identified a lack of quality training facilities for professional archaeologists. The multi phase, multiple site nature of Bamburgh makes it an ideal place to train the next generation of field archaeologists. Bamburgh was started in order to attempt to solve each of these issues.

What does the project do?

The key to the project is the multi disciplinary nature. The project directors are professional field archaeologists, each with a wealth of experience. Their combined talents and skills allow a broad base to the excavation techniques practised at the project.

There is a strong culture of investigating the written record, in order to create a secure archaeological strategy, before excavation begins.

There is a large amount of investigation, covering a whole range of periods, including prehistoric barrows, an early Saxon burial ground, a Saxon port, an early medieval crypt not to mention the vast array of archaeology within the castle itself.

The project always seeks to use non-invasive techniques where possible. An intensive programme of geophysical survey is in operation as well as ground penetrating radar. A large field-walking project is also underway.

The project also uses a variety of cutting edge experimental techniques, such as isotopic analysis, DNA sequencing and artefact reconstruction. Key members of the team were recently involved in the reconstruction of a Bronze Age henge using period tools, whilst living in an authentic Bronze Age fashion.

A major aspect of the project is film, which is used as part of the primary archive. The entire project is recorded on digital film as an annual diary and this is used to produce training material for the future. The film archive is also used to produce a CD ROM/DVD of the Bamburgh excavation, detailing the exact nature of the years work.

The BBC's "Meet the Ancestors" has produced a programme centred on the excavations carried out in the Bowl Hole and children's BBC also used the West Ward excavation as
the archaeological section of a new educational program about the Anglo Saxons.

The History Of Bamburgh Is The History Of Northumbria

The Excavations

There are a number of excavations and surveys in progress under the umbrella of the Bamburgh Research Project. It should be noted that not all parts of the project run each year. It is necessary to target selectively. If you have a desperate desire to dig or investigate a certain area, make sure it is open in the year you wish to go before you apply.

This is especially true of the Bowl Hole burial ground, which is a site of special scientific interest and ecologically very fragile. It is necessary to limit archaeological activity to safeguard this unique piece of coastline.

St Oswald's Gate

Associated with the port area, is a back entrance to the castle. It is attested to during the early medieval by references in historical sources. This area has been fortified many times throughout the succeeding centuries, until all manner of standing masonry is visible including medieval masonry up to 5m high.
In 2002 we uncovered much more of the outworks associated with this gate, and also create a secure periodisation of the buildings and defences.

This was done through excavation coupled with standing building survey.

This area is one of the main areas of investigation as it is probably the route into the castle when the Anglian port was in operation. The scale of the fortifications indicates just how important this area is. This invaluable work will continue in 2004.

Test Pitting

A large-scale program of test pitting has been initiated in the village and surrounding areas. 1m test pits are excavated to the top of archaeology and the soil sieved for artefactual evidence. This evidence is then compiled to give a picture of Bamburgh at various stages in it's history. This non-destructive process has already identified the extents of the medieval village as well as locating previously unknown prehistoric activity.

During the 2004 season, this program of test pitting will continue providing a full, detailed picture of the history of Bamburgh without destroying any valuable archaeological evidence.

The Castle

The castle covers over 8 acres, and is still occupied today. It is centred on a Norman keep and the outworks surrounding this. Successive strengthening of the castle has created a complex structure, in need of extensive survey.

Geophysical survey has identified areas of further research within both the inner and outer wards. Excavation has already identified the later medieval activity within parts of the castle, as well as the site of a possible early medieval crypt, with dimensions almost identical to the 7th century crypts at Hexham and Ripon. Further geophysical survey will be carried out coupled with excavation of the crypt site. A programme of survey will also be used to record the standing buildings within the castle as well as the defences themselves.

The castle also contains a Saxon well, cut through solid basalt to over 40m. This was used as one of the control sites for isotopic analysis. Further work will be needed to record the well fully, as well as to dredge and part excavate the interior.

During the 2002 season over 3m of intact archaeology was identified in the West Ward. This ranged from the modern turf back to Anglian and the full depth has still to be established. The excavations included the re excavation of an unpublished site from the 1960s as well as a control excavation to provide a comparison for this site.

During the 2004 season, these excavations will be expanded to cover a much larger area, forming the bulk of the analysis. This presents exciting opportunities to excavate anything from post medieval buildings through to Anglian defences.

The Bowl Hole

This is the most widely known of the excavations due to the recent Meet the Ancestors program centred around it.

The Bowl Hole is a deep depression in the beach to the South of the Castle. This depression contains an early Saxon graveyard. What makes the graveyard so sensational is that although it spans a relatively short period, perhaps only three hundred years, it contains three distinct phases.

The first phase is likely to be a post-Roman British long cist cemetery.

The second phase represents pagan Anglo-Saxon incomers, who buried their dead with grave goods.

The final phase is only marginally later, and shows the return to more traditionally Christian burials, without grave goods, after the conversion during the 7th century.

The bodies have been dated using the C14 method, and isotopic analysis has been carried out to ascertain the area in which the occupants of the graves originated.

The extent of the graveyard is as yet unknown, but burial density indicates a possible grave count of up to 1200 bodies. Further excavation work is planned to locate the outer edges of the site. The excavation of more bodies will allow a better understanding of the stratigraphy and gather further material for advanced dating and demographic study.

NB. Due to the extremely fragile nature of the archaeology here, anyone wishing to dig in the Bowl Hole must previously dig in the castle site for a minimum of two weeks in order to establish basic understanding of the site and excavation practices.

Training Opportunities

The Bamburgh Research Project provides an ideal environment for the training of students. We offer a wide range of education opportunities from basic field techniques through to supervisory roles.

Professional field archaeologists are the core of our training staff. The key members are the on site directors, who are each responsible for the pertinent areas of the project.

Each area also has a number of supervisors. They are responsible for the daily running of their area and for passing on training to the students involved. There are also extensive seminars and tutorials, given on site, in a whole range of subjects with the aim of providing quality information and training in the techniques pertinent to archaeology as a career. Issues such as Health and Safety, contracts, choice of tools and equipment, how to successfully get a job, are all covered, as well as the more traditional skills and techniques necessary to function well as a professional field archaeologist.

There is the option of training in geophysics, building recording, excavation techniques, coastal geomorphology, film and media as well as all manner of archaeological periods.

There are opportunities for students with greater experience and aptitude to supervise less experienced members of the team.

There are also a number of local surrounding sites which can be visited, to put Bamburgh into context in the landscape and history. These include Lindisfarne, Dunstanburgh, Milfield henge and Roughting Linn as well as others.

Specifically there will be places for up to 35 students to participate in the excavations and building recording.
There will be further places for eight assistants dedicated exclusively to aiding the filming of the project excavations.

Bamburgh Castle has also supplied a building within the castle to be used as a museum dedicated to the excavation. The creation of the museum would provide an excellent opportunity for a person (or persons) with a museum based background to engage in a personal project, which would be unique and potentially very rewarding.

A further two places are available for people wishing to create and implement a series of activity aimed exclusively at working with young people and children.

Further Information

For further information regarding the project, contact:

Paul Gething (Project Director)
125 Crombie Avenue
York
YO30 6DW
United Kingdom

Tel. 01904 330727

Email. paulgething@bamburghresearchproject.co.uk


About the 2004 Season

Dates for 2004

The 2004 excavation season will begin on Sunday 20th June and will continue for ten weeks until Sunday 29th August. Actual work will begin on Monday 21st June, with the Sunday being a general arrival and induction day.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be camping, with showers, toilets etc. All meals will also be provided, although alcohol is your own responsibility. You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, etc. as well as cutlery and crockery ( be sensible, it's camping, so leave the Wedgewood at home!)

Placement Costs

There are placements for up to thirty five people. Placements will last a minimum of two weeks and priority will be given to applicants who want to come for the full ten weeks.

Transport

Transport to Bamburgh is the responsibility of the individual, but it will be possible to pick people up from train stations/airports if necessary. Where possible, we will help people to coordinate their transport. There is a good public transport system from Berwick to Bamburgh or the campsite at Budle Bay. We will take people to and from site each day.

There is limited car parking on the campsite. If you must bring a car, parking will be your own responsibility.

Equipment. (Each person will need)

Camping equipment. (Tent sleeping bag etc.)
A 4ins WHS pointing trowel
Sensible footwear. I.E. stout boots pref. with steel toecaps.
Wet weather gear/sunscreen/sunhat etc.
Cutlery and crockery inc. mug.
Work gloves (personal preference)
Hand tape, pen, 6H pencil and eraser.

If you wish to apply for a place at Bamburgh print off the application form and fill it in. Return it to the address at the bottom as soon as possible.

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