The Prehistoric Society

Photos of archaeological sites and prehistorians of the mid 20th century.

We've received some wonderful photos of the Society in the 40s-60s, kindly donated to the Society's archive by David Powell, son of TGE Powell (who was President in the early 70s).

We hope to publish some in PAST soon...

#Archaeology 🏺

I'm just incredibly sad right now. Andy was a brilliant colleague, a kind man, a passionate nerd, a great archaeologist. I'm finding it really hard to believe well never get another beer together.

Dear all, I am extremely sorry to inform you that Dr Andy Jones died earlier this week after an illness.. Many members will have known Andy as manager of the Cornwall Archaeological Unit, as well as a long-standing and much respected trustee and leader for CAS.. People who love archaeology in Cornwall, in our Society, and beyond, will miss him greatly. Many of you will have known Andy and his gentle, kind manner personally. Or you may have appreciated his driving passion for examining prehistoric life, not just in Cornwall but throughout the South-West, and much further afield. You may have read his remarkable report on the Whitehorse Hill cist, high on the northern downs of Dartmoor, and his numerous other ground-breaking publications. Perhaps you joined one of his exciting CAS investigations: field walking for flints in cliff-top fields or excavating iconic sites, like Trethevy Quoit. You may have enjoyed hearing talks given by either Andy himself or by one of the many high-profile speakers Andy invited to talk to CAS, using his extensive academic contacts. His loss will be felt widely, throughout Cornwall and far beyond. Our thoughts are with Andy's family, with Anna, Freya and Oscar. Pete Herring, President of the Cornwall Archaeological Society

Some very sad news from Cornwall. Our thoughts go to Andy’s family and friends.

24th Sara Champion Memorial lecture 21st October, 5pm online & in-person.

Dr Barbara Oosterwijk: 'Traces of Touch: From Palaeolithic Embodied Markings to Amazonian Decorated Hands'.

Lecture preceded by awards & drinks reception follows:

www.prehistoricsociety.org/events/2025-...

#Archaeology 🏺

I wrote a review of Deborah Hallam's Neolithic Life and Death in the Yorkshire Dale's for the @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social.
www.prehistoricsociety.org/publications...

The work on the stunning Rosemarkie Bronze Age hoard, discovered in Scotland, has been published -

#Archaeology 🏺

www.guard-archaeology.co.uk/GALNews/?p=792

Opens today!! We've seen the exhibition and it's definitely well worth a visit!

#Archaeology 🏺

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/muse...

Promotional image for Cambridge's presence at EAA 2025 in Cambridge, featuring a scenic view of the Belgrade cityscape with river and boats under autumn leaves.

🆓 Download free-access articles on #EuropeanArchaeology, for #EAA2025Belgrade: 📲✅ https://cup.org/42bmHqP

Free access (where not already OA) until 30/09/25.

@archaeologyeaa.bsky.social
@antiquity.ac.uk
@cam-archaeology.bsky.social
@prehistoricsociety.bsky.social
@saa-aap.bsky.social
#EAA2025

Some real gems in here including Alasdair Whittle laying the smack down on scholars of the Neolithic North Atlantic Archipelago for playing down connections between Britain and Ireland.

(Don't forget,  access to ALL PPS online papers - back to 1908!!! - and a paper copy of the journal are included in membership. Details here: www.prehistoricsociety.org/join )

Have a great weekend all 😊

Four First View papers ready for the weekend, and 3 are open access!

From hafting adze heads and African houses to piggy pannage and Neolithic relations between Britain and Ireland, there's something for everyone...

#Archaeology 🏺

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Treasure History Unearthed Open from 13 September 2025 Museum of Liverpool Pier Head Liverpool L3 1DG Book tickets now

From the Museum of Liverpool:

'Treasure: History Unearthed' will feature largest collection of archaeological treasure ever shown in the region, with finds from the North West & Wales, celebrating archaeology & the work of Portable Antiquities Scheme.

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/muse...

What a fabulous paper to kick off with! Well done Sue, and of course the @ucdarchaeology.bsky.social team! 👏

This is the first paper I've seen through to completion as editor of @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social journal. It's a fantastic study, showing feasting on pork took place at Newgrange over the winter period in the late Neolithic, when all those timber monuments & henges were being constructed nearby:

@prehistoricsociety.bsky.social @chrisbstringer.bsky.social Lady Smith Woodward's preface to SW's The Earliest Englishman 1948: "Miss Tassert re-drew the illustrations". These include: "Imaginary portrait of Piltdown Man by John Cooke frontispiece". Any clues to Miss Tassert or the Cooke original?

Do you have exciting prehistoric research you want to share? Deadline for submission to newsletter PAST (Autumn) is 12th Sept.

Articles c. 800 words (with 1-2 images) or c. 1200 words (with 3-4 images). Please send contributions to past@prehistoricsociety.org & we look forward to reading them!

A new editorial team for Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society « Archaeology# « Cambridge Core Blog We are very excited to have been chosen as the new editors for Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society (PPS), the flagship journal of the Prehistoric Society. The journal has a long tradition of publis...

Feel very privileged to be part of this new dream team of editors for Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society. We've got a new editorial board, a more rigorous approval process, and we're working on some exciting papers which will be in a new look, new format journal! @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social

PAST 110 is now online and free to read: with articles about Ukrainian landscape survey, Mesolithic Gwent, stelae from Morocco, and so much more, it's a really good read!

#Archaeology 🏺

www.prehistoricsociety.org/publications...

The ‘king’ of Newgrange? A critical analysis of a Neolithic petrous fragment from the passage tomb chamber | Antiquity | Cambridge Core The ‘king’ of Newgrange? A critical analysis of a Neolithic petrous fragment from the passage tomb chamber - Volume 99 Issue 405

Who was NG10 and what was the world they lived in? The sister paper to our CAJ paper is now out in Antiquity and the cover image no less! Working on these papers with this group, has been one of the richest academic experiences I have had in my career. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

@prehistoricsociety.bsky.social Is there any best practise on whether art that can be moved is mobile or portable? I'm seeing both.

Not sure... will share your post.

Cutting from the Derby Daily Telegraph, June 15 1925: "WELL-KNOWN NORWICH JOURNALIST. The death took place at Norwich Iate on Sunday night after a short illness, of Mr. W. M. Clarke [sic], F.G.S., a member of the literary staff of the "Eastern Daily Press." Deceased was the founder of the Prehistoric Society of East Anglia, which now ranks almost as a National Society, with members in all parts of the country. He had also made important botanical and geographical discoveries.

A newspaper obituary observed that the PSEA already ranked "almost as a National Society, with members in all parts of the country". It took 10 more years for the 'East Anglia' bit to be (unanimously) excised from the name but we wouldn't have today's @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social without W.G.C.

Check it out @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social!

Following the @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social AGM, we have the star of the show, Prof Martin Bell himself, giving the Europa lecture. He is showcasing evidence for prehistoric movement (especially cross-topographic routes) across Severn Estuary, Kennet Valley, Somerset Levels, Uffington, Kent...

Congratulations to Prof. Martin Bell and a huge thank you to all our speakers, attendees and organisers...

...and to all those who've been posting online about the #Europa2025Reading conference, for those who couldn't be there.

It's been a wonderful day and we look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Professor Martin Bell standing at a lectern with the title slide for his talk projected on the screen behind him.

And finally, the main event: the Europa 2025 Lecture by Professor Martin Bell!

‘Landscape connectivity in prehistory: can old routes enhance lives and can we go it alone?’

@archaedelle.bsky.social @suegreaney.bsky.social

At present, Bob will be working alongside Linda and will take up the role when our transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation is complete.

Bob has a long history with the society, having previously held the roles of both Secretary and Vice President.

Welcome Bob! 😊

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We are delighted to announce that Dr Bob Bewley has accepted our invitation to become the next President of the Prehistoric Society.

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Oh brilliant.