East Riding Archaeological Society

The large Iron Age square barrow cemetery at Wetwang/ Garton Slack was excavated from 1963 until 1989 by the Granthams, T.C.M. Brewster, followed by John Dent.  In 1971 the first chariot burial was excavated at Garton Slack with three excavated at Wetwang Slack in 1984 by John Dent. The chariot burials were only part of a large cemetery. Advances in ancient DNA analysis has enabled extraordinary familial links to be made between occupants of the cemetery and demonstrate connections elsewhere. Professor Armit has been leading a project in collaboration with Professor David Reich and the team at Harvard Medical School with astonishing results shedding new light on Iron Age society in this region.

Nick, a former GP and classical medicine expert, has authored several books on the topic for example, Greco-Roman Medicine and What It Can Teach Us Today, (Pen and Sword Books 2021).  In this talk, he uses modern medical insights to analyse ailments of Roman Emperors described in ancient texts.  This is the topic of his latest book, due to be published in early 2026.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roman-Emperors-their-Illnesses-Summerton/dp/1399094173.

Katerina, an ERAS committee member, maritime archaeologist and heritage professional, is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Humanities at the University of Hull, working within the Energy and Environment Institute. She is the Principal Investigator on The project ‘Community Waterscapes: Supporting community heritage to explore and shape Hull’s relationship with water’, contributing with archaeological and heritage perspectives. Her talk is most appropriate in this era of climate change and rising sea levels in a region badly affected by the floods of 2007 and 2013.

A Cambridge graduate, with an MSc from the University of York and PhD from Bradford, Clare is one of the leading zooarchaeologists in this region. Now a freelancer based in York, Clare previously worked for York Archaeology on the bones from the Hungate excavations and has studied animal bones from excavations from the Orkney Islands to Southwest England. Most recently she has been working on the bones from the excavations on the later Bronze Age/ Iron Age ring fort and sanctuary at Kipling House farm, and Roman Brough.

Consisting of around 800 artefacts, the largest hoard of Iron Age metalwork yet found in the UK, the Melsonby hoard was discovered by detectorist Peter Heads close to the possible Brigantes capital at Stanwick in North Yorkshire. It was subsequently excavated by a team led by Professor Tom Moore of the Department of Archaeology, Durham University. The hoard which includes chariot wheels, cauldrons, horse bridles and ceremonial spears is being studied by a range of experts particularly those from the British Museum. Thanks to a public appeal and grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund the hoard will remain in this region in the collections of the Yorkshire Museum in York.

AGM begins at 7.00 pm followed by lecture

During the Outstrays to Skeffling Managed Realignment Scheme, a joint initiative by the Environment Agency and Associated British Ports, excavations undertaken by York Archaeology revealed a surprising amount of archaeology, from prehistoric to medieval. What caught media attention was a possible Roman oyster processing site near Skeffling. Mary-Anne Slater of York Archaeology will present an account of these fascinating discoveries.

The lecture will take place in LT1, Wilberforce Building, The University of Hull on Wednesday 15 April at 7.30 pm. For those unable to attend we hope to livestream - details will be sent to members with a digital link to join on the night.