War: what is it good for? This question resonates along the length of the human story, with archaeological evidence of weapons and traumatic injuries stretching back far into prehistory. While the traditional answer is ‘absolutely nothing’, historical conflicts have undeniably shaped interactions between communities, transformed the ways in which land is used and resources controlled, and driven – and been driven by – technological innovations. Our cover feature turns the spotlight specifically on to Scotland, and a major new exhibition in Edinburgh which tells a complex story spanning 4,000 years from the Neolithic period to the coming of the Romans.
We then turn to the rather more tranquil setting of the Cambridgeshire Fens, where years of fieldwork beside the River Great Ouse have illuminated the evolution of a prehistoric landscape, from field systems and settlements to an enigmatic ‘shaman’ pit and rare traces of Bronze Age funerary textiles.
Our third feature has a more urban focus, examining the potential and limitations of ground-penetrating radar surveys in built-up environments. What have recent investigations in York revealed about the city’s Roman and medieval past, and particularly the history of its world-famous Minster?
Finally, we explore a selection of Cornwall’s beautiful historic churches, many of which preserve colourful medieval wall paintings. What can be learned from the stories that these images tell, the sociopolitical context that they represent, and their histories of Victorian ‘restorations’ and more recent conservation? Here, too, we highlight the power of Community Archaeology for boosting the well-being of remote and rural populations, and the importance of promoting and protecting local heritage sites.