Durotriges Dig
@durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Investigating the Iron Age and Roman period in SW Britain. Bournemouth University #HillfortsWednesday Posts (mostly) by Miles Russell
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Durotriges Dig
@durotrigesdig.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Hello, we're the Durotriges Project 👋
If you're here for updates on prehistoric Dorset, archaeology info or just to look at pictures of Iron Age / Roman artefacts, we hope you'll find something of interest
#Durotriges25
⚠️ warning: may contain random references to #DoctorWho and #HypocaustGate
If you're here for updates on prehistoric Dorset, archaeology info or just to look at pictures of Iron Age / Roman artefacts, we hope you'll find something of interest
#Durotriges25
⚠️ warning: may contain random references to #DoctorWho and #HypocaustGate
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
#FindsFriday The stunning head of the Capel Garmon firedog, dug up from a peat bog in north Wales in 1852
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
February 13, 2026 at 7:38 AM
#FindsFriday The stunning head of the Capel Garmon firedog, dug up from a peat bog in north Wales in 1852
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
A masterpiece of Late Iron Age forging & smithing, with bull's horns & plaited equine mane representing a composite animal
More here: coflein.gov.uk/en/site/800314
📷 My own, NMW St Fagans
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
The University Press release is really grim
Interestingly, the University of East Anglia seem more than happy to celebrate the commoditisation of hisory
www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/a...
www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/a...
History professor strikes gold with remarkable Iron Age discovery
After discovering a rare hoard of Iron Age gold coins in Suffolk, Prof Tom Licence from the University of East Anglia hopes to use some of the proceeds to support local archaeological digs, following ...
www.uea.ac.uk
February 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM
The University Press release is really grim
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
Historians: this is the archaeological equivalent (morally if not legally) of cutting pictures out of medieval manuscripts in a library and selling them on eBay.
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Historians: this is the archaeological equivalent (morally if not legally) of cutting pictures out of medieval manuscripts in a library and selling them on eBay.
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
As usual, the hoard has been broken up - the coins are all being sold off individually too after the finder and landowner have taken one each... it's a frigging disgrace.
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
Coins and Historical Medals (4 March 2026): Auction Catalogue | Noonans Mayfair
www.noonans.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:45 AM
As usual, the hoard has been broken up - the coins are all being sold off individually too after the finder and landowner have taken one each... it's a frigging disgrace.
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
Hey UK archaeology. Let's all just cash in our years of knowledge, understanding, professionalism, trust, integrity, stakeholder partnerships, land owner networks, Professorial privilege, university accreditation.
Buy a metal detector and make some (more) money. 🏺
Buy a metal detector and make some (more) money. 🏺
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Hey UK archaeology. Let's all just cash in our years of knowledge, understanding, professionalism, trust, integrity, stakeholder partnerships, land owner networks, Professorial privilege, university accreditation.
Buy a metal detector and make some (more) money. 🏺
Buy a metal detector and make some (more) money. 🏺
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
This is what happens when 'treasure' can't be bought by a museum - the hoard has been broken up into individual auction lots & will disappear into many different hands, some overseas.
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
February 15, 2026 at 8:40 AM
This is what happens when 'treasure' can't be bought by a museum - the hoard has been broken up into individual auction lots & will disappear into many different hands, some overseas.
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
When do we start saying enough is enough??
www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/cal...
#Archaeology #Treasure #Detecting 🏺
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
My thought exactly. Historians of all people should understand why this is wrong.
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 9:22 AM
My thought exactly. Historians of all people should understand why this is wrong.
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
Meanwhile, the rest of us scrape together our fivers and tenners to try to stop this happening...
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
Help Save Leicestershire’s Bronze Age Torc
Help us raise £10,000 towards Leicestershire Museums' acquisition of this unique object so that it can remain in the public domain.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Meanwhile, the rest of us scrape together our fivers and tenners to try to stop this happening...
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-save-...
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Professor finds Iron Age coin hoard near Bury St Edmunds
Tom Licence says he feels a personal connection to the coins, which are to be auctioned.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:43 AM
*Academic sells history off to the highest bidder*
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There, BBC, we sorted that headline for you
If he truly feels *a connection* to the find, as the article claims, would he not have donated it to a museum?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
The recently refurbished Poole Museum has officially reopened !!
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Transformed' Poole Museum reopens with new exhibitions
Poole Museum has been closed since 29 January while work was carried out on its galleries.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The recently refurbished Poole Museum has officially reopened !!
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The recently refurbished Poole Museum has officially reopened !!
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'Transformed' Poole Museum reopens with new exhibitions
Poole Museum has been closed since 29 January while work was carried out on its galleries.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The recently refurbished Poole Museum has officially reopened !!
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
With full access to Scaplen's Court 15th century house and 3 new maritime galleries including our favourite:
*Loggy (the Iron Age logboat)*
And it's FREE !! 😊👍
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
An excellent thread on the curious and enigmatic Ingleborough for #HillfortsWednesday (other days are available) 👇👇👇
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
February 11, 2026 at 8:04 AM
An excellent thread on the curious and enigmatic Ingleborough for #HillfortsWednesday (other days are available) 👇👇👇
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
An undeniably emotional experience seeing the other half of the ‘peacock room’ in Oplontis being excavated and meeting their counterparts: the two peahens that graced the facing wall. What a delightfully playful idea by the artist.
Compliments to my colleagues, excavators & conservators. Spectacular
Compliments to my colleagues, excavators & conservators. Spectacular
February 13, 2026 at 5:22 PM
An undeniably emotional experience seeing the other half of the ‘peacock room’ in Oplontis being excavated and meeting their counterparts: the two peahens that graced the facing wall. What a delightfully playful idea by the artist.
Compliments to my colleagues, excavators & conservators. Spectacular
Compliments to my colleagues, excavators & conservators. Spectacular
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
🚨We're reopening!!! 🚨
Next week we'll be OPEN from 10am to 4pm with special activities for youngsters. 🤩🤩
Bring your kids along and we promise to get them so wound up and excited that your drive home will be a living nightmare.
sussexpast.co.uk/event/februa...
Next week we'll be OPEN from 10am to 4pm with special activities for youngsters. 🤩🤩
Bring your kids along and we promise to get them so wound up and excited that your drive home will be a living nightmare.
sussexpast.co.uk/event/februa...
February Half Term at Fishbourne Roman Palace - Sussex Past
Live Like a Roman this half term with fun family activities from 16th to 20th February at Fishbourne Roman Palace, near Chichester
sussexpast.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
🚨We're reopening!!! 🚨
Next week we'll be OPEN from 10am to 4pm with special activities for youngsters. 🤩🤩
Bring your kids along and we promise to get them so wound up and excited that your drive home will be a living nightmare.
sussexpast.co.uk/event/februa...
Next week we'll be OPEN from 10am to 4pm with special activities for youngsters. 🤩🤩
Bring your kids along and we promise to get them so wound up and excited that your drive home will be a living nightmare.
sussexpast.co.uk/event/februa...
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
Absolutely blown away by the Mithraic altars revealed by the National Museum of Scotland today, the way the head of Sol is designed to be backlit! Love to do a proper miniature, but just playing with this candle & paper one for now (it burst into flames 3 seconds later 😳)
#PlaymobilInfestation
#PlaymobilInfestation
February 11, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Absolutely blown away by the Mithraic altars revealed by the National Museum of Scotland today, the way the head of Sol is designed to be backlit! Love to do a proper miniature, but just playing with this candle & paper one for now (it burst into flames 3 seconds later 😳)
#PlaymobilInfestation
#PlaymobilInfestation
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
I have a few of these on my patch too... I call them nilforts.
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
February 12, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I have a few of these on my patch too... I call them nilforts.
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
We have so many questions
We sent #CuratorRob to a professional Networking event at the Novium Museum, Chichester, yesterday and he represented the Palace by wearing a prawn hat. 🤦
February 11, 2026 at 10:51 AM
We have so many questions
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
We love this aerial view of the fantastic Iron Age hillfort on the Berkshire Downs near Blewbury, excavated by this very museum in the 1940s and 1950s, see some of finds including a complete dog skeleton in our Green Space gallery
February 11, 2026 at 10:40 PM
We love this aerial view of the fantastic Iron Age hillfort on the Berkshire Downs near Blewbury, excavated by this very museum in the 1940s and 1950s, see some of finds including a complete dog skeleton in our Green Space gallery
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
✨ An Evening with National Trust Archaeologists ✨
Ever wondered what archaeology looks like behind the scenes at National Trust places?
Join the CBA for a free online evening exploring the archaeology cared for by National Trust, including community digs, hilltop enclosures and Roman gold mining.
Ever wondered what archaeology looks like behind the scenes at National Trust places?
Join the CBA for a free online evening exploring the archaeology cared for by National Trust, including community digs, hilltop enclosures and Roman gold mining.
February 9, 2026 at 10:01 AM
✨ An Evening with National Trust Archaeologists ✨
Ever wondered what archaeology looks like behind the scenes at National Trust places?
Join the CBA for a free online evening exploring the archaeology cared for by National Trust, including community digs, hilltop enclosures and Roman gold mining.
Ever wondered what archaeology looks like behind the scenes at National Trust places?
Join the CBA for a free online evening exploring the archaeology cared for by National Trust, including community digs, hilltop enclosures and Roman gold mining.
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
This is so cool
And in other news, thanks to Storm Chandra, our colleagues from @bournemouthuni.bsky.social Maritime Archaeology have found a part of the Fame of Hoorn, an armed Dutch merchant ship that sank in 1631
#Archaeology
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#Archaeology
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Timbers from 17th Century shipwreck appear on Dorset beach
Experts believe timbers found at Studland Beach form a missing piece of the Swash Channel wreck from 1631.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM
This is so cool
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
Some Iron Age ramparty goodness from Abbotsbury Castle hillfort, high above the villages of West #Dorset
Here looking NW along the coast to West Bay and Bridport and SW along Chesil Beach to Weymouth and Portland
We love it here
📷 Feb 2023
Happy #HillfortsWednesday !
Here looking NW along the coast to West Bay and Bridport and SW along Chesil Beach to Weymouth and Portland
We love it here
📷 Feb 2023
Happy #HillfortsWednesday !
February 11, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Some Iron Age ramparty goodness from Abbotsbury Castle hillfort, high above the villages of West #Dorset
Here looking NW along the coast to West Bay and Bridport and SW along Chesil Beach to Weymouth and Portland
We love it here
📷 Feb 2023
Happy #HillfortsWednesday !
Here looking NW along the coast to West Bay and Bridport and SW along Chesil Beach to Weymouth and Portland
We love it here
📷 Feb 2023
Happy #HillfortsWednesday !
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
To celebrate #WomenInScience, this is Audrey Henshall (1927-2021), the first professional female #archaeologist in Scotland, renowned for her work on chambered cairns & burials.
This picture is of Henshall, included in The Herald. ©Rosemary A Meldrum, CC
#historyofscience #womenshistory #herstory
This picture is of Henshall, included in The Herald. ©Rosemary A Meldrum, CC
#historyofscience #womenshistory #herstory
February 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM
To celebrate #WomenInScience, this is Audrey Henshall (1927-2021), the first professional female #archaeologist in Scotland, renowned for her work on chambered cairns & burials.
This picture is of Henshall, included in The Herald. ©Rosemary A Meldrum, CC
#historyofscience #womenshistory #herstory
This picture is of Henshall, included in The Herald. ©Rosemary A Meldrum, CC
#historyofscience #womenshistory #herstory
A fantastic site for #HillfortsWednesday 👍
Haven't been to Battlesbury for years. Need to rectify that 👇👇
Haven't been to Battlesbury for years. Need to rectify that 👇👇
#hillfortwednesday - miraculously an hour of sun on Salisbury Plain today enabling a condition survey of Battlesbury Hillfort. Not looking bad and the views were grand. Colt Hoare’s plan in Ancient Wiltshire still works. #archaeology #wiltshire #ironage #celts
February 11, 2026 at 10:50 PM
A fantastic site for #HillfortsWednesday 👍
Haven't been to Battlesbury for years. Need to rectify that 👇👇
Haven't been to Battlesbury for years. Need to rectify that 👇👇
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
A magnetometry survey of Abbotsbury Castle hillfort #Dorset has shown that there are, in the SE corner of the enclosure, a series of Iron Age roundhouse platforms with collapsed daub walls, postholes and storage pits 🤩
11 have so far been identified
© Dave Stewart 2014
#HillfortsWednesday
11 have so far been identified
© Dave Stewart 2014
#HillfortsWednesday
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
A magnetometry survey of Abbotsbury Castle hillfort #Dorset has shown that there are, in the SE corner of the enclosure, a series of Iron Age roundhouse platforms with collapsed daub walls, postholes and storage pits 🤩
11 have so far been identified
© Dave Stewart 2014
#HillfortsWednesday
11 have so far been identified
© Dave Stewart 2014
#HillfortsWednesday