What we do
Altogether Archaeology fieldwork
Altogether Archaeology project volunteers completed much fascinating fieldwork throughout the North Pennines. Reports are available on the Altogether Archaeology website – https://altogetherarchaeology.org/reports.php
Early farmers – the Neolithic
Investigations of Neolithic (c4,000-2,000BC) sites and landscapes throughout the North Pennines.
- Dyburn ‘henge’, Garrigill, excavation
- Long Meg stone circle, survey
- Tortie Stone, Hallbankgate, excavation
Round cairns and round houses – the Bronze Age
Investigations of Bronze Age (c2,400-700BC) sites and landscapes throughout the North Pennines.
- Brackenber Rigg, Appleby
- Kirkhaugh Cairns, Alston
The Maiden Way Roman road
A survey of the line of the Maiden Way over the wilds of the North Pennines from Kirkby Thore in the south, past Whitley Castle (Alston) to Carvoran on Hadrian’s Wall.
- Epiacum (Whitley Castle) Roman fort
- Kirkby Thore, Roman road
The Missing Centuries
Looking at the North Pennines throughout Anglo-Saxon and Viking times, a period about which we currently know little.
- the Chapel of Saint Botolph, Frosterley
- placenames survey
Holwick, Upper Teesdale
Looking at the fascinating multi-period archaeological landscape at Holwick, near Middleton in Teesdale.
- Holwick archaeological survey
Medieval forests and parks
In medieval times, following 1066, vast tracts of the North Pennines were managed as hunting forests. In later medieval times, smaller areas were designated as hunting parks. This module aims to map these forests and parks, and investigate particular aspects of them.
- Muggleswick Grange
- Westgate Castle, Weardale
Allen Valleys and Hexhamshire landscape surveys
Using modern techniques, including lidar and aerial photography, volunteers will produce accurate archaeological surveys of some 300 sq kms of the previously unrecorded landscapes of Hexhamshire and the Allen Valleys, leading to detailed analysis of particularly interesting areas.
- The Allen Valleys
- Hexhamshire
North of the Wall
Working in partnership with the Northumberland National Park Authority, volunteers will complete a range of fieldwork projects to survey and investigate aspects of the little-studied landscapes north of Hadrian’s Wall.
- Ravensheugh landscape survey
- Standingstones Rigg survey
- Hadrian’s Wall milecastles project
Industrial archaeology
The post-medieval industrial heritage of the North Pennines is of international importance. This module includes small-scale survey and excavation projects at important industrial sites.
- Dukesfield Smeltmill, Hexhamshire.
- Killhope Buddle House, Weardale
- Shildon Little Engine House, Blanchland
- Dukesfield Smeltmill, Hexhamshire