News & Events

Recent excavations in Scotland produce 6000 year old remains

Staff and students from the University of Central Lancashire were in action recently, excavating a Neolithic chambered tomb in Kintyre in Scotland. In June and July of 2009, the 6000 year old site of Blasthill, close to Campbeltown in Kintyre was excavated and produced some stunning finds. A beautiful Neolithic flint knife was found, along with an arrowhead. Furthermore, a range of pottery vessels were also found, including a whole pot from the chamber.

Students are currently working on material from this excavation in the laboratory and for their dissertations. 

A Neolithic flint knife, found at Blasthill chambered tomb	A 6000 year old pottery vessel, uncovered during excavations in Kintyre

RAE result

The University submitted archaeology to the recent Research Assessment Exercise, which ranks the research output of different institutions in the UK. This was the first time UCLan had been submitted for archaeology and we were thrilled with the result. A good portion of our research was recognised as being of world-leading and internationally excellent, and we scored very highly compared to other new universities.

Read about UCLan’s reaction to the RAE results

Students prepare for local excavations

As the new term approaches, the archaeology team at UCLan is preparing to take students on excavation in Lancashire. For the last 5 years staff and students from UCLan have been digging at Bank Hall near Bretherton outside Preston. The project has run as a training excavation for new and existing archaeology students. This impressive building set in its own grounds is in desperate need of restoration and renovation. The Bank Hall action group (link to http://www.bankhall.org.uk/) have been trying to secure funding to preserve this beautiful building and UCLan have been helping out by finding out about the history of the site through archaeological excavation.

You might be interested in visiting the site. There are two heritage open days on the 12th and 13th of September, 11am-4pm. Admission is free.

The house at Bank Hall	Students on excavation at Bank Hall