Cornwall Archaeological Society

Books

Major Book on Roman Cornwall Published Roman Cornwall emerges from the shadows A book detailing excavations which took place at Trethurgy, St. Austell, in the 1970’s has been published. Titled ‘Trethurgy - Excavations at Trethurgy Round, St Austell: Community and Status in Roman and Post- Roman Cornwall’, the book investigates one of the most important archaeological investigations in recent years. The publication, by Henrietta Quinnell, will mark a milestone in Cornish archaeology. This new publication Excavations at Trethurgy Round, St Austell; Community and Status in Roman and Post-Roman Cornwall can be purchased from the Historic Environment Service at Cornwall County Council. More details are available on the publication flyer which can be downloaded from this page. To order a copy please download and print the flyer and fill in the order details. Please note that full price including post and packaging is £16.60, and please remember to add you credit card expiry date. (Note: this flyer has been updated since being mailed to CAS members with the last newsletter) Download Trethurgy leaflet. Excavations at the site revealed that contrary to popular belief the inhabitants of Cornwall chose to reject many Roman practices and to develop their own distinctive style of life. For the first time in Cornwall, the distinctive character of life in a ‘round’ with a prosperous community living in large oval houses supported by a network of crafts and trade, was revealed. Rounds - enclosed settlements of the late prehistoric and Roman periods - are known to be found in Cornwall, however, none had ever been extensively excavated. In 1972 local archaeologist Peter Sheppard, involved in extensive fieldwork in the St Austell area, located a new ‘round’ at Trethurgy in an area soon to be destroyed by the extension of china clay working. Trial excavations confirmed that Trethurgy was well preserved and could be successfully excavated. The Department of the Environment agreed to fund the project with practical support from the Cornwall Archaeological Society and English China Clays, now Imerys. The work was carried out over several months with a large team numbering up to 70 at its peak - one of the biggest excavation projects ever undertaken in Cornwall. The results revolutionised ideas about Roman Cornwall best demonstrated by a distinctive style of oval stone architecture superbly adapted to the local environment. (Previously it had been thought that the lack of villas was indicative of impoverished living conditions). Communities living in these houses were largely self-sufficient farmers, utilising local metal resources, but with contacts and trading networks stretching into much of Britain and Europe. Pottery was supplemented by a range of vessels beautifully crafted from local stone. A system of barter and exchange with local crafts and produce provided stability for a lifestyle which continued into the 6th century AD. This was totally unexpected, demonstrating that the problems which beset the British Isles nationally had had little immediate effect on the settled communities in Cornwall. The results from Trethurgy have been confirmed by subsequent work on other rounds but none has produced such a full picture and the excavation has become a classic. Trethurgy is the result of the collaboration of a range of experts under the principal authorship of the excavator Henrietta Quinnell. Its publication has been possible through the practical support of the County Council’s Historic Environment Service, financed by a grant from English Heritage. Nicholas Johnson, County Archaeologist from the County Council’s Environment and Heritage Service said, ‘I am delighted that we have been able to assist with this landmark report. It takes a great deal of effort and collaboration to bring a project of this importance to completion. We owe a big debt to the design team of Cornwall County Council who have ensured that the publication which is now available for sale is so well produced and attractive. We are certain it will attract a wide readership amongst all those with an interest in Cornwall’s heritage’. The author added “The results of the Trethurgy excavation proved a revelation for Cornish Archaeology. I am privileged to have been involved with such an important project and one which will have such an impact on our understanding of the region.” Click here for Notes to Editors and background to the author

Photo of Pot fragment excavated at Trethurgy

Background to the author Henrietta Quinnell has been actively involved in archaeology in Cornwall and South West Britain for over 30 years. Brought up in Oxfordshire she started digging at the age of 15 and was involved in a wide range of rescue excavations across Southern Britain. Awarded a first class degree in archaeology from the University of Wales, Cardiff, in 1968, she was then appointed Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Exeter in 1970. Based in the former Department of Extra-Mural Studies, now of Life Long Learning, she was responsible for University extension classes in archaeology in both Cornwall and Devon, a position she held until early retirement in 1999. Soon after the appointment to the University, Henrietta became aware that the expansion of china clay working in the St Austell area was posing potential problems for its archaeology. Her initial excavations on a Bronze Age barrow in 1970 at St Stephen-in-Brannel forged a good working relationship with English China Clays Ltd, now Imerys, and these were followed by series of prehistoric excavations. The 1973 excavations at Trethurgy were the most important and extensive of her career. She joined the Committee of the Cornwall Archaeological Society in 1972, remaining a member until the present. She edited its journal Cornish Archaeology for many years and was, in April 2004, elected its President until 2007. She has also been active in its sister organisation, the Devon Archaeological Society, of which she is currently a Vice-President, and of which she served as President 1987-9. After her early retirement as lecturer she was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Exeter and is pursuing a second career as a specialist in archaeological finds, especially pottery, from South West Britain. Currently she produces reports for publication on most of the prehistoric and Roman finds for Cornwall County Council’s Historic Environment Service (formerly Cornwall Archaeological Unit) and is acknowledged as the leading expert in this area. Henrietta’s interest in Cornwall and its archaeology was aroused during early family holidays, which a permanent appointment in the area made fulfilling. Her University position made her familiar with all parts of the area and its archaeology and she became well known and highly regarded as a teacher of archaeology. Although living in Exeter, she regards Truro as something of a second home.