Current Archaeology 364

I hope you’re all well! It has been lovely hearing from so many of you over the past few weeks – what is clear during these ‘interesting times’ is that, although we’re currently apart, the archaeological world is still very much a community. Hopefully we will be together again soon – and while many heritage opportunities remain limited, we have selected a second smorgasbord of online activities, educational resources, and ‘virtual visits’ for you to enjoy.
/nOur cover story explores the world of the intriguing but archaeologically elusive Picts. Their powerbases were traditionally thought to lie in central Scotland, but intrepid excavations at picturesque – and occasionally precarious – locations have uncovered promising sites further north.
/nA high-status centre has also been identified at Llangorse Crannog, near Brecon: an artificial island settlement that has yielded a wealth of clues about life c.1,100 years ago.
/nFrom these enigmatic sites, we leap forward almost to the present day, exploring the legacy of the Cold War. What can archaeology add to our understanding of this extraordinary period?
/nMore removed from living memory is the trio of anniversaries being marked by Canterbury Cathedral: 2020 is c.900 years since the birth of Thomas Becket, 850 since the archbishop’s murder, and 800 since his reinterment in an ornate shrine that became a major pilgrimage destination. Over the last few years, major works have revealed centuries of secrets from this sacred space.
/nFinally, we consider medieval religious life on a much more intimate scale, exploring traces of the hermits who, rather topically, truly embraced social isolation.