http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11621802
BBC news reports that Silbury Hill may have been used as a fortification by the Anglo-Saxons. Anybody who has ever walked up the Silbury monument would agree that you would be hardpressed to find a more effective defensive position!
I recently picked up a copy of Early Anglo-Saxon Coins by Gareth Williams, published by Shire Archaeology. This is one of the ‘new and improved’ Shire Archaeology series, sporting not only the modernized cover design, but a great many photographs accompany the text and the great thing about those photographs is that they are all in colour!
The book will be of limited value for identifying Anglo-Saxon coins (although there are many colour images of Anglo-Saxon coins and you may get lucky) – a guide to identifying Anglo-Saxon coins was not the authors intent, rather, this book is the story behind those coins and how they came to be here in the United Kingdom.
I hope all of the new look Shire Archaeology publications are produced to this standard, the production values and all the colour photographs are wonderful! When I get time I will write a full review of this book for the main website, in the mean time, I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Anglo-Saxons or Anglo-Saxon coinage, a must read for metal detectorists and coin collectors everywhere.
The cover image is a hoard of Anglo-Saxon silver pennies, buried around 730AD, found at Woodham Walter in Essex.
Early Anglo-Saxon Coins (Shire Archaeology)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-11187207
The BBC reports that archaeologists in Norfolk have discovered a 3 metre long Anglo-Saxon boat. When conservation work on the boat is completed it will likely be displayed at Norwich Castle Museum.
There was a very interesting TV show on last night called ‘Treasures Of The Anglo-Saxons’. At last digital TV has a show that is actually worth repeating 50 million times. If you missed it don’t worry, it will probably be on at least a dozen more times this week.
A goth historian visits the greatest Anglo-Saxon treasures including the Staffordshire Hoard and the Sutton Hoo treasure and talks to various experts on the art and craftsmanship of the Anglo-Saxons. Some incredible Anglo-Saxon belt buckles, brooches and strap ends are shown in glorious detail.
So keep an eye on BBC4 for the repeats!
