Category: Boxford History Project (Page 1 of 3)

The Boxford History Project is hosting a talk by Gill Campbell from Historic England entitled

The Boxford timber: its conservation and what it tells us about Mesolithic life.

This follows on from the exciting find in Boxford of worked bog oak dated to the Mesolithic period, so well before Stonehenge and is the earliest piece of worked timber so far found in the UK. We knew Boxford was an ancient settlement but this find has taken our breath away.

The talk is being held in Boxford Church on 16th October at 7.15pm. Parking will be in the field opposite the The Mill and will be signed.

Visitors are welcome but as we don’t charge for our events, we gratefully appreciate individual donations to help defray our costs.

The Excavation Report produced for the BHP by Cotswold Archaeology for the excavations at the Mud Hole Villa in 2019  is available to download. It makes for interesting reading – particularly surprising is the “bone” report – not one usually at the top of the reading list. Mud Hole Villa is compared to other Roman establishments including Fishbourne Palace on account of the lavish meals consumed and suggests a possible use of the building – a hunting lodge. Was this the Michelin starred eatery of its time? The bulk of the report is devoted to the scholarly interpretation of the mosaic by Anthony Beeson to whom we are greatly indebted.

Also available to download is a review of the book “The Boxford Mosaic” by the Journal of Roman Archaeology. This majors on Anthony Beeson’s interpretation of the mosaic but also refers to the colour photographs of our talented volunteers David Shepherd, Chris Forsey and Richard Miller.

The unpublished Excavation Reports for Hoar Hill 2015, Wyfield Manor 2016 and Mud Hole 2017 are held by the authors Steve Clark and Lindsey Bedford – for details of their reports email: archaeology@westberks.gov.uk

From left to right: Authors Matt Nichol, Anthony Beeson and Joy Appleton having a brief respite from signing the new book The Boxford Mosaic by local publishers Countryside Books. The book is available from W.H.Smith in Newbury or direct from the publishers https://countrysidebooks.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Matt Nichol and Nick Battle

at the Corn Exchange, Newbury

November 19th – An evening at the Corn Exchange with around 300 in the audience, excellent speakers and a book launch! All in all, a fitting tribute to the Roman Boxford Mosaic and the community group that worked to bring it back to life, this summer.
What a wonderful way to close the project!

Photos kindly supplied by Chris Forsey

email: boxfordhistoryproject@gmail.com

Anthony Beeson’s article about the Boxford Mosaic in the Current Archaeology magazine should be out today.

Speaking of printing ………………the new book “The Boxford Mosaic” authors Anthony Beeson and Matt Nichol, will be on sale from Monday 18th November. If you are coming to the Feedback Session on Tuesday 19th November at the Corn Exchange you can pick up copies there. Otherwise W.H.Smith in Newbury is stocking it or it’s available online from the publishers Countryside Books https://countrysidebooks.co.uk

Hear All About It and/or Read All about it!

In anticipation of a bumper crowd after the Open Day in August, the Boxford History Project has arranged a Feedback Session called The Wondrous Boxford Mosaic at the Corn Exchange in Newbury with speakers Anthony Beeson and Matt Nichol with an introduction by me.
Date: 19th November at 7.30pm
Tickets are available from the Corn Exchange Box Office £5 per adult; children under 16 free.0845 5218 218 or online at https://www.cornexchangenew.com

A new book entitled The Boxford Mosaic (authors Anthony Beeson and Matt Nichol) will be available on the same evening and can be pre-ordered with ticket purchases through the Corn Exchange Box Office at £12. Alternatively books can be purchased from WHSmith in Newbury or online at the publisher – Countryside Books https://countrysidebooks.co.uk Countryside books are offering a discount on 2 or more purchases. The book is due to be out on November 18th.

Hope to see you on November 19th!

Joy