Helen J
LightNews LightNews
banner
helgaj.bsky.social
Helen J
@helgaj.bsky.social
450 followers 1K following 110 posts
Community arts, heritage and archaeology. In Cumbria.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Helen J
antiquity.ac.uk
📰 In a "once-in-a-generation" find, archaeologists have discovered a new section of Hadrian's Wall at Drumburgh, ~10 miles (16km) from Carlisle

#ArchaeologyNews via the BBC

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hadrian's Wall section discovered in Drumburgh dig
Volunteers uncover a section of Hadrian's Wall at Drumburgh, near Carlisle.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Reposted by Helen J
londonarchaeo.bsky.social
Lots of comments about the artefact on our front cover this issue - it's an eel spear!

The spear is currently on display in the Mudlarking exhibition at London Museum Docklands until 1 March 2026.

Photo © London Museum
Front cover of London Archaeologist magazine Autumn 2025 Volume 17 Number 10. On the cover is an iron eel spear. A large, roughly made metal object. It has a central shaft, which would have attached to a wooden handle which has been lost. Curving from the handle, like a rainbow are seven long flat tines, which end in rounded points. The tines are of different lengths and thicknesses, showing it was roughly made and is worn from use, adding to it's charm.
October 26, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by Helen J
helgaj.bsky.social
I've had a fantastic couple of weeks volunteering with Grampus Heritage at Drumbrugh on the Solway. We only went and found the best preserved section of Hadrian's Wall west of Carlisle! Far more than we were expecting. #archaeology #hadrianswall 🏺
Volunteers cleaning the Hadrian's wall stone work revealed in a long linear trench. In situ standing stone work of Hadrian's Wall, in an archaeology trench. The wall remains are about three courses high, with a rubble stone core. The faces are constructed of squared sandstone blocks, on a foundation of wider sandstone flags. The courses are stepped inwards on the southern face, but a flat verticale face on the North. It's roughly 3 metres wide at the base. The stone wall was built on a turf bank, which can be seen at the base of the trench. Part of the wall has been robbed in the medieval period down to the foundation. In situ standing stone work of the north face of Hadrian's Wall, in an archaeology trench. The wall remains are exposed to two courses high, with a rubble stone core. The wall has collapsed outward in the Roman period and been reinforced by clay/turf piled up against the stonework. A man is crouching on the edge of the trench to take a photo of the wall The south facing stone work of Hadrian's wall in an archaeology trench. The wall partially survives up to three courses, with a foundation of sandstone slabs. The courses are stepped inwards to stabilise the wall. A man is cleaning soil from the foundation stones.
October 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Helen J
petesavin.bsky.social
A section of #HadriansWall was excavated over the last 3 weeks to find the line of the wall and the site of Milecastle 76 at the western end of the wall. This remarkable section was exposed including a cut showing the early turf wall which was rebuilt in stone during the later 2nd century.
October 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
helgaj.bsky.social
I've had a fantastic couple of weeks volunteering with Grampus Heritage at Drumbrugh on the Solway. We only went and found the best preserved section of Hadrian's Wall west of Carlisle! Far more than we were expecting. #archaeology #hadrianswall 🏺
Volunteers cleaning the Hadrian's wall stone work revealed in a long linear trench. In situ standing stone work of Hadrian's Wall, in an archaeology trench. The wall remains are about three courses high, with a rubble stone core. The faces are constructed of squared sandstone blocks, on a foundation of wider sandstone flags. The courses are stepped inwards on the southern face, but a flat verticale face on the North. It's roughly 3 metres wide at the base. The stone wall was built on a turf bank, which can be seen at the base of the trench. Part of the wall has been robbed in the medieval period down to the foundation. In situ standing stone work of the north face of Hadrian's Wall, in an archaeology trench. The wall remains are exposed to two courses high, with a rubble stone core. The wall has collapsed outward in the Roman period and been reinforced by clay/turf piled up against the stonework. A man is crouching on the edge of the trench to take a photo of the wall The south facing stone work of Hadrian's wall in an archaeology trench. The wall partially survives up to three courses, with a foundation of sandstone slabs. The courses are stepped inwards to stabilise the wall. A man is cleaning soil from the foundation stones.
October 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Helen J
drnwillburger.bsky.social
A wooden Roman sword, dating 1st century AD. Found in Carlisle.
The sword, crafted entirely from wood, was a practice weapon used by Roman soldiers during training drills - or a kid's toy. ⚔️

Currently on display at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, on loan from Tullie House Museum Carlisle

📷me
🏺
A wooden sword in a museum display
October 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Helen J
londonarchaeo.bsky.social
Our Autumn 2025 issue is out now!

In this issue:

Features:

🏺 Archaeological overview: The Liberty site strikes again! @molarchaeology.bsky.social

🏺 Findspot: A Roman cremation from the Old Kent Road: New light on an old find - Stephen Greep

#archaeology #london
Front cover of London Archaeologist magazine Autumn 2025 Volume 17 Number 10. On the cover is an iron eel spear. A large, roughly made metal object. It has a central shaft, which would have attached to a wooden handle which has been lost. Curving from the handle, like a rainbow are seven long flat tines, which end in rounded points. The tines are of different lengths and thicknesses, showing it was roughly made and is worn from use, adding to it's charm.
October 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Reposted by Helen J
doccrom.bsky.social
#EpigraphyTuesday - A stunning piece discovered in 2014 in the Galloway Hoard. A Roman rock-crystal column-head, repurposed and mounted in gold, ca. 8-9th Century, to serve as a small container for liquids. #Archaeology #Art 🏺 (1/2)

Image: National Museum of Scotland (X.2018.12.71.18.1).
October 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
helgaj.bsky.social
Empires in action.... A Roman brick, quite possibly from the Thames foreshore, ends up in Washington state.

The article says the Hawaiian coral was imported for mortar, but coral was also used as ships ballast and you can find it on the Thames foreshore in London, where it was dumped from ships.
ddmgembala.bsky.social Danielle Gembala @ddmgembala.bsky.social · 25d
One of my favorite artifacts ever - a Roman brick with a cat pawprint used as ships ballast in an HBC ship from London to Vancouver WA in the 1820s, then used to build a factor's house with Hawaiian coral.
Artifact Spotlight: Kitty Brick (U.S. National Park Service)
www.nps.gov
October 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Helen J
witchmountain.bsky.social
#Cumbria Printmakers Out of Ink exhibition opens at the Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth tomorrow with an evening PV.
#handmadeprints #peintmaking #LakeDistrict (and Uffington 😏!)
October 15, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Helen J
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Are you stuck inside due to Storm Amy? Why not buy a last-minute ticket to attend our online conference this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon?
pictishartssociety.bsky.social The Pictish Arts Society @pictishartssociety.bsky.social · Oct 3
Last chance to book! The 2025 Pictish Arts Society Conference takes place on Zoom tomorrow and Sunday. We have 8 expert speakers on Pictish sculpture, metalwork and metalworking, plus an update on the latest exciting discoveries from @northernpicts.bsky.social. Full agenda and booking link below.
Conf | The PAS
www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk
October 4, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Reposted by Helen J
ukceh.bsky.social
Many lichen species are sensitive to nitrogen pollution, making them natural indicators of air quality.

📱LicheN is a new app enabling people to help monitor air quality using lichens. Data gathered will improve understanding of N pollution and its impacts on ecosystems.

buff.ly/AmWAOQB

🧪 1/
Side by side photos of a person looking at a picture of lichen on an app and comparing it to lichen on a tree trunk
October 4, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Helen J
tutty352.bsky.social
Saving the boat sheds on Lindisfarne.
September 26, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Reposted by Helen J
nathaliecohen.bsky.social
We are seeking a new Editor for the Archaeological Journal to succeed @nannonstevens.bsky.social.
#archaeology #editor #journal

@royalarchinst.bsky.social

Please share to your networks! ✍️
Marie de France, from an illuminated manuscript now in the Bibliothèque nationale de France
September 19, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Helen J
jenwilliamsft.bsky.social
This pleased me ✅
September 17, 2025 at 10:51 AM
helgaj.bsky.social
Happy birthday to the Trip Hazard Twins, they were 1 yesterday! And it was their 4 month moving anniversary. In that time, Dipper has come out from under the bed and learnt that belly rubs are the best thing ever. Raven has discovered moths and catnip mice. And they are now both huge. #proofofcat
A blurry photo of a large long haired black cat on his back. He's chewing on a rainbow coloured ribbon attached to a stick that someone is waving off camera. A shrot haired black cat lying on a sofa. She has a rainbow ribbon that she's playing with wrapped around her front paws Two large black kittens, 8 months old, playing with a long rainbow coloured ribbon on a stick.
September 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Helen J
lizziwake.bsky.social
The Florence Mine once produced haematite for the steel industry as the red puddles proclaim. Egremont Castlecis also worth a visit.
September 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Helen J
lizziwake.bsky.social
If you can get to the exhibition ‘Wrestle’ at the Florence Arts Centre near Egremont, Cumbria, it’s definitely worth visiting. Jan Moss & @chrisroutledge.bsky.social have paintings & photos (& I have a small embroidery). And a fascinating place too.
September 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Helen J
lbflyawayhome.bsky.social
“The tide has again receded over the sand-flats. The remaining framework of a wooden ship is half-sunken in the sand. On one of the ribs a cormorant stands with wings lifted”
Writer: EL Grant Watson
Artist: CF Tunnicliffe
August 31, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Reposted by Helen J
tulliecarlisle.bsky.social
26 August is #InternationalDogDay, which feels like a good day to come back to after the long weekend.

Please enjoy these good boys and/or girls from across the collection.

1. Bronze Roman dog figurine 100-200 AD
August 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Helen J
urbanprehistorian.bsky.social
You can follow our excavations at the KG \ Kelvin Wheelies 1970s skatepark in Glasgow all week by following #KelvinWheelies! Thanks in advance to our funders @socantscot.bsky.social
& partners @archscot.bsky.social
+ Archaeology at @uofglasgow.bsky.social
Filled in slalom run at the KG \ Kelvin Wheelies 1970s skatepark in Glasgow Concrete remains of the KG \ Kelvin Wheelies 1970s skatepark in Glasgow
August 25, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Reposted by Helen J
scoupland.bsky.social
In case you’re in the area… www.timeout.com/london/news/...
A Viking longship will row up the River Thames next week
A 1,000-year replica boat is heading into central London.
www.timeout.com
August 23, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Reposted by Helen J
listermj.bsky.social
#scape
Mawbray Banks, Solway Coast National Landscape, Cumbria (13/08/2025)
Wildflowers amongst the sand dunes. These dunes are unique habitats and home to rare animals like the natterjack toad which breeds in shallow pools.
#solway #mawbray #cumbria #coastal #nature #photography #eastcoastkin
A coastal view on a sunny August evening of sand dunes at Mawbray Banks, Solway Coast National Landscape. The dune grasslands merge into an area of dune heath. There are coastal wildflowers of yellow, orange and white. There is a shallow pool just visible behind the flowers and in front of the sand dunes which are in the background. The sky is blue with streams of white clouds. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These dunes are unique habitats and home to rare animals like the natterjack toad. It breeds in shallow pools, which often dry out in the summer. The dunes are also important for breeding and roosting birds such as oystercatcher, curlew, stonechat, the rare little tern, bartailed godwit and ringed plover.
August 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Reposted by Helen J
nattrustarch.bsky.social
As part of our theme #OutintheField, we’re sharing recent discoveries made by National Trust archaeologists and partners alongside current fieldwork.

Did you know that the Sefton Coast at Formby in Lancashire contains tantalising glimpses into the lives of our hunter-gather ancestors? 🧵
A row of preserved human footprints in a sandy, muddy beach, with red flags marking their locations
August 7, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Reposted by Helen J
elericousins.bsky.social
So delighted to announce the official launch of The Armitt’s new digital trail through Roman Ambleside! The trail was developed by our fabulous @arcdurham.bsky.social 2nd-years Rowan Colley and Isla Mustin, with initial work by LU student Bastien Hamilton… 🧵

#RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain 🏺
Roman Ambleside | Armitt
Explore the history of the Ambleside Roman fort through archaeological objects at The Armitt in this digital trail - Roman Ambleside.
www.armittdigitaltrail.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 8:46 AM