Digital Digging
Home

Welcome to the new version of Digital Digging.

There are plenty of new things to keep you occupied, as well as all the old favourites. Most of the map pages have now been upgraded to include the Google Earth browser plugin, which allows you to view your chosen monument/site in all its topographical glory. The same goes for the model pages - now instead of downloading the models, you can play about with them directly in your browser. The usual Google Maps are available for all the sites, but if there is a road nearby, you can drag the little orange man onto it for a Street view.
Have fun, and if you feel absolutely compelled, you can leave your opinions about the site on our feedback page. We are also available on all the usual channels is you'd like to join us for more immediate news/goings on (over on the right there).

Oh, and if you're in further need of entertainment, you could do worse than tootling over to the Radio/Video pages - in addition to a clutch of new radio programmes to listen to, you can watch all the available episodes of the BBC's excellent Chronicle series, all the available episodes of Time Team, and the full and original version of Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki voyage.

New in Features. . . Stuart Prior's Meare Heath Bow Reconstruction

Crikey! It's treat upon treat this month - DD is proud to present Dr. Stuart Prior's write up of the Meare Heath Bow reconstruction, published here unabridged for the first time.

Dating to the middle Neolithic (2690 BC ± 120 years in this instance), the discovery of the Meare Heath Bow in 1961 has provided us with a truly eye opening glimpse into ancient British archery.

Read the full write up (with images) here, or click on the image to your left.

New in Features. . . Marden 2010

This year's most exciting dig for fans of the Neolithic Period has to be the Marden Henge 2010 excavation.
English Heritage archaeologist Jim Leary (the lucky cove who got the Silbury Hill dig a couple of years ago) is opening trenches in one of Britain's lesser known super henges. This is the 3rd dig for the site - the first was a horrible mauling at the hands of Richard Colt Hoare in the 19th century, during which the enclosure lost the Hatfield Barrow, the second was an illuminating foray by Geoffrey Wainright which established the presence of a timber circle at the North entrance, and now Jim Leary's team are subjecting it to a thorough investigation.
Follow the story here, and also get up to speed with the Marden Henge Literature Round-Up!

In Maps. . .
 
In Models. . .
In Books. . .

Well, it's been a long time coming to paperback, but now at last it's here - Barry Cunliffe's final word on Iron Age Britain.

Previously only available in hardback at a pocket-bruising price, Routledge are now offering the new (2004) edition to the wider reader. While the hardcover is still somewhere in the region of £180.00, the paperback can be purchased for as little as £26.50 from Amazon.co.uk.

Reviews;

"This is an important and original book, dealing not simply with Iron Age archaeology, but with the very foundations of British society."
Colin Renfrew

"This is an occasion for celebration...the book is readable, abundantly illustrated and has full bibliographic references. Its severest critic should give it a resounding welcome."
Stanley Thomas, New Scientist