Lincoln Museum improvement plans to be discussed
Improvements to Lincoln Museum are due to be discussed at a meeting next week. The work, to improve the public exhibition space and better display artefacts, would take place from July 2025 to January 2026 if approved by Lincolnshire County Council.The free museum in Danes Terrace, formerly known as The Collection, displays Lincolnshire's history from the Stone Age through the Roman, Saxon and Viking eras.A council report said the improvements would help "showcase and rotate the rich history of Lincolnshire through its treasures".
The report added: "The approach to the design ensures longevity and flexibility to the exhibition spaces within Lincoln Museum."The plans include new zones and trails, along with interactive digital works.The public engagement area, which has previously hosted artwork and interactive exhibits, will become an exhibition space that is available for event hire.The report said the work would help increase revenue which would be invested back into cultural services, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Work is already under way to update the cafe, toilets and IT systems in the auditorium.Councillor Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for culture, previously said it would be "the biggest update to Lincoln Museum since we opened in 2005".She said: "It will let us continue to give you the warm welcome our visitors expect and put on the exciting exhibitions and events we are known for.
"In order to continue to attract new visitors to the museum, and to the city, we need to rethink how we tell Lincolnshire's story."The report will be discussed at a council committee meeting on 25 February, before going to the council leader and Cawrey for final approval next month.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Press and Journal
Turriff field yields a 'treasure trove' for detectorist Cameron
He'd been pottering about with an old metal detector on his parents' farm near Turriff for years with indifferent results. But when Cameron Anderson's wife Emily gave him a fancy new digital detector last Christmas, it was a game-changer. In the past few months the fields have given up ancient coins, buttons, musket balls, even a Viking silver ingot. Exciting finds for Cameron, co-owner of Subsea Tooling Services UK Ltd. His primary intention is to use the metal detector to find out more about the history of the farm, in the family since the 1930s. One week he found 31 coins, including a hammered silver coin from 1563, a 1697 William III shilling, and a fascinating Irish gun metal coin made from melted canon in the 17th century. He's found many love tokens, which were coins bent in a certain way, including one dated 1708, from the reign of Queen Anne. There were also musketballs, evidence of military action, perhaps during the time of the Covenanters in the 17th century. Cameron said: 'There's a big dent in one as if it had definitely hit someone or something.' Handily, he even found a friend's missing Stanley knife. But then came what some archaeologists call the Holy Grail of finds— Cameron discovered nothing less than a Bronze Age axe head, some half a metre below what he describes as 'just an ordinary field'. The bronze axe head wasn't complete; in fact it looked as if it had been intentionally cut up as the back end was missing. None the less, the Turriff detectorist knew at once what it was. He had to sit down for a while to calm his pounding heart and process what had just happened before phoning Emily, who had left minutes beforehand to take the dog home, with the astonishing news. The next night, Cameron detected on, and at the other end of the 10 acre field, turned up what he thought was another small axe head. When he compared it to the first one he realised it matched the cut on the original axe head exactly, all but for another small missing piece. The challenge was on. Cameron simply had to find the rest of the axe head. It took a further two days, five miles of walking and some moments of frustration, but he did it- the missing section that he likened to 'Gandalf's hat' in shape was lying some 10m from the second find. Cameron immediately got in touch with Bruce Mann, Aberdeenshire Council's Historic Environment Officer. Bruce confirmed Turriff detectorist's find. He said: 'It's an early Bronze Age flat axehead, likely to be around 3,800 to 4,200 years old. 'It's undecorated, as is typical, and would have been originally hafted into an L-shaped piece of wood. 'These axes appear at the start of the introduction of metalwork into this part of the world and would have been prestigious items.' Processing what happened has been mind-boggling for Cameron. He said: 'Crazy to think that when this axe head was cast, the Egyptians were building their pyramids, Stonehenge was under construction and it had been lost to time for 1,300 years before King Tutankhamen was even born.' Cameron's axe head was part of a profound change in society at the time, the change between the old world of stone to the new one of metal. Bruce said: 'We are still learning about what those impacts were, and trying to answer basic questions such as just how much metalwork was available initially. 'Whether cast locally or traded from elsewhere, Cameron's axehead is a fascinating glimpse into life at the time.' During his detecting, Cameron has also turned up many fragments of bronze splatter from smelting, so was the site a possible Bronze Age tool factory? Bruce thinks not. He said: 'That is very unlikely as we don't have any other evidence for settlement near to the findspot. 'Direct evidence for metal-working on a site is very rare in the early Bronze Age.' Cameron thinks the axehead was deliberately broken, and Bruce agrees with him. He said: 'The axe more likely represents a deliberate offering to the gods or the ancestors and was deliberately broken as part of that 'sacrifice'.' Meanwhile, as the fields grow over for summer, Cameron has hung up his detector for the next few months. When the crops are in, he'll be back out in his trusty 1961 Land Rover, Pike. 'Pike goes everywhere with me on my metal detector adventures. He's like an old friend, always by my side.' A find as important as the axe head is classed as treasure trove, and must by law go to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for recording. For the moment it's on temporary display in the window of Turriff museum, and once it's been processed by the Treasure Trove unit, Cameron hopes it will return permanently to the north-east, its home for four millennia. Bruce praised Cameron for his responsible attitude. 'Responsible metal detectorists have an important part to play in researching our past. 'I certainly welcome Mr Anderson's contribution to that research by reporting the axe. If there are others reading this who have found something I simply ask that they do the same. 'Every find helps tell Scotland's story.' The Turriff detectorist added: 'I just want to know more about the history of my parents' farm, and I never thought it would go back that far. 'But we can't rely on anything metal surviving for ever in the fields anymore, as pesticides can corrode and destroy metal.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Religious history 'rewritten' with 'greatest discovery since Dead Sea Scrolls'
The Megiddo Mosaic, discovered by an inmate at Megiddo prison in northern Israel, has been hailed as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" by experts An ancient inscription hailed as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls" has been uncovered beneath an Israeli prison floor, naming it the earliest known testament of Jesus as God. A prisoner chanced upon the 1,800 year old mosaic at Megiddo jail featuring the Greek inscription: "The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial." Believed to be part of the world's inaugural prayer hall from around 230 AD, this 581-square-foot mosaic provides irrefutable evidence of the early Christian belief in Jesus as the son of God. Dubbed the Megiddo Mosaic, the artefact also showcases some of the most primitive artistic depictions of fish, hinting to biblical teachings like the one in Luke 9:16 where Jesus miraculously multiplies two fish to feed thousands. Concealed under Megiddo prison since its initial unveiling in 2005, the historic floor has presently been lent to an exhibition in Washington DC, only until the following month, reports the Mirror US. Carlos Campo, CEO of the showcasing museum, extolled the mosaic as "the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls," adding that colleagues believe it to be "the most important archaeological discovery for understanding the early Christian church." During the exhibit launch, Campo said: "We truly are among the first people to ever see this, to experience what almost 2,000 years ago was put together by a man named Brutius, the incredible craftsman who laid the flooring here." The Megiddo Mosaic is temporarily on view at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC until its return date in July 2025. Alegre Savariego, the exhibition's curator, said: "The mosaic presents groundbreaking physical evidence of the practices and beliefs of early Christians, including the first archaeological instance of the phrase, 'God Jesus Christ.'". Discovered in the Jezreel Valley, an area steeped in Christian lore as the site for the apocalyptic battle of Armageddon, the Megiddo Mosaic has caused a stir among historians and theologians alike. The four-year dig by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) unearthed the 581-square-foot mosaic floor, which intriguingly includes the name of the Roman officer who commissioned it during Judea's occupation. The find has sparked discussions about a potential period of coexistence between Romans and Christians, challenging the traditional narrative of constant conflict. An inscription on the mosaic reads: "Gaianus, a Roman officer, having sought honor, from his own money, has made the mosaic." Adding to the evidence of a harmonious relationship is the discovery of a nearby Roman encampment. The prayer hall or church was likely hidden away when the Roman Empire's Sixth Legion moved to Transjordan, suggesting a complex interplay of cultures and faiths in the region. The mosaic, which features the names of five women – Akeptous, Primilla, Cyriaca, Dorothea, and Chreste – whose significance remains a mystery, has been hailed as one of the most significant archaeological findings in comprehending the ancient Christian church. Bobby Duke, the Museum of the Bible's Scholars Initiative director, said: "This is arguably one of the most important archaeological discoveries for understanding the early Christian church." The artefact includes some of the oldest images of fish representing Christianity, mirroring the story in Luke 9:16 of Jesus feeding 5,000 with just two fish. Duke explained the importance of the discovery further: "For example, the mosaic underscores the crucial role of women in the early church by the fact that five women are mentioned in it by name,". The museum's expert compared the find to the historic impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on biblical scholarship: "Truly, the mosaic presents a wealth of new data for church historians, like the Dead Sea Scrolls did for Bible scholars." The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) noted the peculiar nature of this request for remembrance of individuals, particularly since it is rare for God to be asked to remember specific people. The IAA elaborated on the significance of the women featured saying, "While they were clearly important to the community, the inscription does not tell us whether they were patrons of the community (like Akeptous), or martyrs, or honored for some other reason." After unearthing a significant find, the IAA meticulously cleaned and preserved the mosaic. The floor was then delicately dismantled, with pieces stored in 11 crates that were shipped off to the US earlier this year for an exhibition titled 'The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith'. "You couldn't just lift the whole floor up," Duke said. "So ... they very intricately cut different pieces of the mosaic so that they didn't destroy any of the artwork. So, not all the pieces were the same size. So, even one of the crates that came into this gallery was about a thousand pounds." Once the exhibit is over, the Megiddo mosaic will be returned to Israel for a permanent display at its original discovery site. When the mosaic is repatriated, the inmates at Megiddo will be moved to a different prison. Additionally, the museum had to own up to the fact that several supposed Dead Sea Scroll fragments within their collection were actually recent frauds. "While some of the founders and actions of the museum are questionable, and the museum clearly has a very ideological agenda, I don't think a 'purist' agenda is very helpful here," stated Prof. Aren Maeir from Bar-Ilan University in a discussion with "As long as everything is done by the letter of the law, I see no problem."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Wales Online
Fire at ancient Anglesey church nearing end of £2.3m upgrade
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Concerns for an ancient Anglesey church were raised when smoke was seen billowing high into the sky. St Cybi's in Holyhead is undergoing extensive redevelopment and parishioners feared a fire could jeopardise next month's scheduled reopening. It's understood vandals set light to portaloos being used by workers refurbishing the church, which dates from the 6th century and is built into Holyhead's Roman wall. The fire spread to adjacent timber stacked ready for use inside the building. Smoke was seen rising from the churchyard at around 6.30pm on Thursday, June 5. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze before causing serious damage, it's believed a section of the church's exterior wall was left charred and blackened. This is expected to weather and disappear over time. "It could have been a lot worse," said one observer. St Cybi's and its adjacent 14th century chapel, Eglwys y Bedd, are currently being redeveloped as part of a £2.3m project funded by UK Levelling up money. The church will reopen as a 'more accessible' multi-use community hub with a social enterprise cafe. The chapel, built on the site of St Cybi's original cell, is being extended using Anglesey limestone, quarried in Moelfre. In the plans are some exciting innovations designed to appeal to a younger demographic. Five ancient churches in the Diocese of Bangor are being upgraded as part of the Llefa'r Cerrig - Stones Shout Out initiative. Air source heat pumps are being installed to provide underfloor heating, and solar panels placed on south-facing roofs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now St Cybi's is one of the five beneficiaries, with a shop and children's play area also planned. But the work hasn't been without controversy. Some parisioners were unhappy on learning that traditional old pews were being replaced by pews that can be moved to facilitate events and meetings. There was also anger over the transfer of St Cybi's organ to another church that can afford its estimated £200,000 repair bill. Critics claimed the heart of St Cybi's was being 'ripped out of it'. Meanwhile, the project timeline slipped when skeletal remains were discovered under the church and in the churchyard. In a pit beneath the chancel near the altar, a 'large collection of unarticulated human remains of unknown date' were found in summer 2023. They were buried beneath the church's 'Victorian layer', laid by architect Gilbert Scott during his reordering of the church in 1876-1879. It's suspected they had been reinterred, probably from multiple graves within the churchyard. All remains removed were due to be reinterred within the churchyard. Excitingly, other archaeological digs revealed what is believed to be part of the original footpath laid by Roman settlers at the site thousands of years ago. It's hoped St Cybi's can reopen in late July. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Holy Island Ministry area were approached for a comment. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Find out what's happening near you
