Latest news with #TomLucas
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Archaeological dig in pub garden hailed 'huge success' as Roman remains found
An archaeological dig was opened to the public in the garden of the Rose & Crown pub in St Albans, which is being redeveloped, between Friday and Monday An archaeologist has praised a publicly accessible archaeological dig as a "huge success." The Rose & Crown pub in St Albans, currently undergoing redevelopment, opened its excavation site to the public from Friday to Monday. Volunteers from St Albans Museums unearthed medieval and Roman pottery during the dig, which visitors could examine closely on-site. The news comes after sinkhole in York opened up revealing the site of a former Roman legionary fortress. Archaeologist Tom Lucas remarked: "It's just given people a chance to see it happening and to understand the planning process and then the excavation process- it's the museum's mission to share this with everybody, I think it's been a huge success." Lucas highlighted that some of the Roman artefacts found, including pottery, tesserae, and painted wall plaster, were previously undiscovered in that area of the city, reports the Express. A handling table was set up at the dig for visitors to view materials freshly excavated. Children had the opportunity to learn about washing unearthed pottery fragments. The four-day event attracted approximately 2,400 visitors. This excavation was a collaborative effort involving drp archaeology, Minerva Archaeology Ltd, Verulamium Museum, with additional input from Place Services and Historic England. Minerva Archaeology is set to pen a detailed report on their recent discoveries. This will play a crucial role in the upcoming planning deliberations. Mr Lucas shared his insights: "Planning archaeology is not usually seen in this way, it's not hidden, it's just usually on construction sites. People don't really see it going on, but it's happening all around us all the time because it's enshrined in our planning policy. So it's good that it's been seen and everybody enjoyed it."
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Archaeological dig at pub 'huge success'
An archaeologist has hailed an archaeological dig open to the public as a "huge success". As part of the redevelopment of the Rose & Crown pub in St Albans, an excavation was opened to visitors between Friday and Monday. During the dig, volunteers from St Albans Museums found pottery from medieval and Roman times, which members of the public could then see up close while visiting the site. Archaeologist Tom Lucas said: "It's just given people a chance to see it happening and to understand the planning process and then the excavation process- it's the museum's mission to share this with everybody, I think it's been a huge success." He noted that some of the Roman materials found during the dig, such as pottery, tesserae and painted wall plaster, had not been found in that part of the city before. At the site, a handling table was set up where visitors could see material after it was excavated. Children were also invited to learn how to wash pieces of pottery that had been uncovered. About 2,400 people visited the dig over the four-day period. Mr Lucas will now write a report on the team's findings, which will be considered as part of the planning process. He said: "Planning archaeology is not usually seen in this way, it's not hidden, it's just usually on construction sites. "People don't really see it going on, but it's happening all around us all the time because it's enshrined in our planning policy. So it's good that it's been seen and everybody enjoyed it." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Creating modern theatre in an ancient space Women who helped unearth Roman town celebrated 'Significant' finds in Roman town dig
BBC News
16-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Archaeological dig at St Albans pub 'huge success'
An archaeologist has hailed an archaeological dig open to the public as a "huge success".As part of the redevelopment of the Rose & Crown pub in St Albans, an excavation was opened to visitors between Friday and the dig, volunteers from St Albans Museums found pottery from medieval and Roman times, which members of the public could then see up close while visiting the Tom Lucas said: "It's just given people a chance to see it happening and to understand the planning process and then the excavation process- it's the museum's mission to share this with everybody, I think it's been a huge success." He noted that some of the Roman materials found during the dig, such as pottery, tesserae and painted wall plaster, had not been found in that part of the city the site, a handling table was set up where visitors could see material after it was were also invited to learn how to wash pieces of pottery that had been 2,400 people visited the dig over the four-day period. Mr Lucas will now write a report on the team's findings, which will be considered as part of the planning said: "Planning archaeology is not usually seen in this way, it's not hidden, it's just usually on construction sites."People don't really see it going on, but it's happening all around us all the time because it's enshrined in our planning policy. So it's good that it's been seen and everybody enjoyed it." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
