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Buckinghamshire Archaeology Society Joan Elding Prize 2022

Heritage and Archaeology Team, 13 October 2022 - About Archaeology in Buckinghamshire

On 1st October at the Bucks Local History Network Conference, the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society presented their new Archaeology Prize for the first time, named in memory of their late member Joan Elding whose legacy has provided for this year and next.

The Society wanted to recognise the many excellent projects and contributions made to their objectives and felt the prize was an opportunity to congratulate, say thank you and above all to celebrate some of the many people and institutions that make our local heritage so valued.

The Archaeology Prize is planned to be an annual event and is open to both individuals and organisations, and commercial, academic and voluntary work is all eligible.   The criteria are broad covering the society’s aims of advancing knowledge, protecting and conserving our heritage, and promoting public awareness and enjoyment. 

They had many worthy nominations in 2022.  Having set out to find one winner, in the end it was decided to split the prize between two joint winners whilst also singling out two others as “Highly Commended”.

Tabatha is the museum’s Archaeological Curator and Collections Conservator.  Bancroft Roman Villa was meticulously excavated in the 1980s during the development of in Milton Keynes.  Two mosaics were recovered – one has been on display for many years in MK’s shopping centre but the other languished un-conserved in store – until now.  Tabatha led a team of specialists and volunteers who pieced the mosaic back together, cleaned and re-backed it.   This was a delicate operation that required research into techniques, fund raising and training.   The conserved mosaic will go on display in the new Ancient MK gallery which is due to open soon, and the results are presented in a fantastic online exhibition. Tabatha was presented with a cheque for the museum.

Mike was the County’s Archaeologist for nearly thirty years, encouraged and organised voluntary groups, and flew over the county taking hundreds of aerial photographs, all greatly enhancing the Sites and Monuments Record (now known as the Historic Environment Record).  He discovered and excavated the Iron Age hillfort under Aylesbury – in the process making one of the most astounding discoveries of Celtic ritual practice yet found in England.  He also helped set up the Milton Keynes Archaeological Unit which ensured the new city had a history to celebrate.

Mike has also been a stalwart of the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society, editing Records for many years and publishing his own work, including most recently his book on “The Kings at Brill”.  Mike was presented with the Joan Elding Cup.

This Heritage Lottery funded project has recently finished following a five year programme.  The Chiltern Hills are full of surviving archaeological earthworks, most prominent of which are Iron Age hillforts, but earthworks can be difficult to spot and survey in woodland.  The Beacons project used Lidar – airborne laser scanning to cover 1,400 square km – to see through the tree cover.   A citizen science web portal then allowed volunteers to help identify, map and interpret features many of which had not previously been recognised.  This provided a welcome activity which carried on through the pandemic when there was a notable uptick in registrations.   The project was not all digital – it also carried out small-scale excavations and conservation work.  The judging panel was particularly impressed by the use of innovative technology to engage many people in advancing knowledge and awareness of this previously hidden and under-recorded heritage.

What used to be known as the County Museum in Aylesbury has had an amazing rebrand as the Discover Bucks Museum.  A comprehensive renewal of the museum’s galleries covers the county’s archaeology, art, geology, people and wildlife.   The impressive Lenborough Anglo-Saxon coin hoard gets top billing and is presented beautifully.  The exhibits are an amazing achievement which conserve and promote the county’s heritage in all its diversity and wonder. Temporary exhibitions include the current loan of the St Mary’s stone busts from the HS2 excavations.