The early Middle Palaeolithic in the Haine region (Belgium)
Caroline Ryssaert Wednesday 31st Jan 2007
Mrs. Ryssaert gave a lively
presentation on the assemblage from Mesvin IV, one of
the earliest Mousterian sites in northwestern Europe,
which was excavated by Cahen and Haesaerts during the
1970s and 80s. The talk was an exemplary
demonstration of how to approach an assemblage. It
also allowed a lively discussion of the general
changes in lithic technology at the start of the
Middle Palaeolithic, and the strict definition of
Levallois technology.
The Tribrach, and Isle of Wight Archeology
Saturday 6th October 2007
with The Museum of Island History, Newport, Isle of Wight
The tribrach is a rare,
three-branched, flint artefact of the Early Bronze Age, very few are known in Britain, but one is held in the Isle of
Wight Museums collection.
This was organised in Newport, IoW, for the Museum
of Island History,
by Joy Verrinder, the Museum's Education Officer. Hugo Lambdin-Whymark
provided a flint-knapping demonstration with commentary for some thirty
locals and about 10 members of the LSS 
David
Field (English Heritage) gave a talk about "tribrachs". Tribrachs are
three-armed flint artefacts tentatively dated to the LN/EBA (but with
some reservations about authenticity: no examples known from stratified
excavation contexts). There are three in southern English museum
collections, one being the beautiful example on display at the Museum
of Island History, the Guildhall, Newport, which we were all able to
see and discuss.
For
the second half of the afternoon the party drove to Freshwater Bay and
were led up Tennyson Down by Frank Basford to the site of a Neolithic
mortuary enclosure which he had excavated (along the line of a modern
linear disturbance bisecting the monument).
We had lovely weather and
superb visibility for this visit so the view of the Downs and the island was memorable, as was the exchange of memories from those who
went to that famous Isle of Wight Rock Festival 35 years ago!!!
Caroline Wells, October 2007.
2007 Annual General Meeting:
The Annual General
Meeting was held at the British Museum (Franks House), 38 Orsman Road, London N1 5QJ on Friday 2nd November, 12 noon.
It was followed
by a workshop on the Middle Palaeolithic of
West London by Dr. Claire Fisher and Dr. Becky Scott (AHOB)
with the chance to examine relevant artefacts from the British Museums
collection. We had a record attendance and it was enjoyed by all.!
Future Events::
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