Archaeology Group

Lectures are given weekly on topics such as Hunter Gatherers, Romans in the North East or Anglo Saxons.

Meets Mondays 10 to 11.30 am at Seaton Sluice Community Centre. Bamburgh Anglian Cemetery

This term starts 15th April 2013.

The Archaeology of Death Tutor: Steve “the dig” Speak

8 sessions. Field Trip(s) included (but not to Egypt). £15 for the whole course. Book now to avoid disappointment.

For further information contact Liz Vuyk or Clair Mitchell on 0191 2980323 or email: seatonsluiceca@yahoo.co.uk

The Rites of Passage examine the four great transitions most people undergo throughout life - birth, puberty,marriage and the final certainty that awaits us all regardless of our achievements, wealth or power. The passage from a corporeal, fully-fleshed life to whatever will happen 'on the other side' is either mourned or celebrated by a variety of funeral methods. These include exposure, cremation, drowning, burial and immuration.

Some techniques were immensely complicated. The communities of the New Kingdom of Egypt, for example, took 70 days to bury their dead; other societies conducted complicated and incredible rites to ensure the smooth and correct passage into the next world. This course will examine the ways and reasons early communities disposed of the dead and the great burial monuments of the past.

Here lies the body of Steve the Dig
Who all his life collected bones
Till Death, that grim and bony spectre
That universal bone collector
Boned Old Dig so neat and tidy
And here he lies, all bone fide

Courses are organised by BRIC, the Blyth Resources and Initiative Centre. Email: bricblyth@yahoo.co.uk

Images from the Field Trip to Chesters Roman Fort, March 2012.