Staffordshire Archaeology Day: 29th March 2025
This is a free event promoted by the Stoke-on-Trent Museum Archaeological Society and the Potteries Museum to showcase the Archaeology of Staffordshire and the surrounding area. On Saturday 29th March 2025, the following guest speakers will present illustrated talks on recent archaeological work from the region.
The programme for the day is as follows:
10:30am Welcome
Dr Lee Hyland, Chair of SoTMAS
A welcome and introduction to Staffordshire Archaeology Day.
10:40am Recently Reported Finds from Staffordshire/West Midlands
Teresa Gilmore, Staffordshire Finds Liaison Officer
A Review of the finds reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme during the previous 12 months, including the gold Bronze Age cloak fastener from Ellastone.
11:15am Heritage Crime in Staffordshire: The Current State of Play
Dr Kirsty Squires, Associate Professor of Bioarchaeology, Staffordshire University
Kirsty's research focuses on the analysis of cremated human bone and what it can tell us about burning conditions from both archaeological and forensic contexts. One of her recent projects has ben investigating the effects of environment on children living and working in 19th century Staffordshire.
11:55am Industrial Slipware, 1790 - 1830
David Barker, Archaeological consultant specialising in the study of post-medieval ceramics
The Industrial Slipware of the late 18th and early 19th centuries is a sadly neglected subject. David Barker will discuss these highly colourful wares with some reference to the rich assembly excavated by SoTMAS at Hilderstone.
12:45pm A Break for Lunch
An opportunity to stretch your legs, have some lunch and a wander around the Museum before talks restart at 2pm.
2pm Aspull Ring Ditch
Patrick Maloney, Wigan Archaeological Society
A presentation taking us through the excavation by Wigan Archaeological Society of a Bronze Age ring ditch at Aspull, which produced some unusual and important discoveries.
2:45pm Bronze Age Metalwork from the River Trent - Offerings or Chance Deposition
Professor Mark Pearce and Dr Richard Davis, Nottingham University
Mark and David will give us their analysis of the Bronze Age artefacts, mostly weaponry, recovered from the River Trent and surrounding wetlands, ahead of the forthcoming publication of the catalogue. The collection of about 200 items is one of the largest in Europe.
3:35pm Breaking New Ground: Excavating Wroxeter Farm 2024
Dr Roger White, University of Birmingham
A report on the discovery of a major public building at Wroxeter and what it tells us about the wealth and confidence of the founders of the city. The excavation uncovered a Roman mosaic depicting fish and dolphins with substantial frescoed walls remaining intact within the building.
Event Booking
Though this is a free event, we recommend that you ensure your place(s) by reserving a ticket using eventbrite. Any unreserved spaces will be available on the day on a first come basis.
You are welcome to stay all day or attend as many of the presentations as you wish. The Potteries Museum is well worth a visit, and we encourage people who decide to miss a talk to spend some time looking around the museum.
To find out more about the speakers and the talks they will be giving click "The Speakers" button below. As well as details of the speakers the page also contains links relating to the speakers or the presentations they will be giving.
The Venue
This free event (though participants are encouraged to donate to the Potteries Museum without whose support we could not offer this as a free event) will be held in the comfortable 300 seat Lecture Theatre at The Potteries Museum. There is a cafe on site and amble parking nearby [Smithfiield Multistorey, Broad Street, Clough Street and John Street are all within a few minutes walk], with the main bus station only a 5 to 10 minute walk away.
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Bethesda Street,
Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent,
ST1 3DW