WYAS Day School - The Royal Armouries, Leeds
14 November 2009

A feature packed day filled with various types of archaeology, practical demonstrations and active interpretations.

Historic Buildings - Elizabeth Chamberlin
The talk illustrated the range of building recording undertaken in West Yorkshire including City Varieties Music Hall, St Pauls Church, Denholme Gate and Almshouse in Pontefract.  Comment were also made regarding planning permission and demolition which should be scrutinised.

Below Ground Archaeology - Rebecca Mann
Any development involving groundwork has the potential to disturb or destroy below-ground archaeology.  Evidence of late prehistoric and Romano-British activity identified in Boston Spa, Whinmoor and Nostell Priory, (which we attended).  Buckwood in Bradford has shown evidence of earthworks and rock markings.  Improvements at Castle Hill in Huddersfield have helped protect the area from damage from walkers and visitors.

Ongoing Fieldwork in West Yorkshire & Industrial Archaeology - Helen Gomersall
An overview or recent work with Railways, Mills and Water Treatment Plants. There was also a section on non-recording and destruction of archaeological sites in West Yorkshire.

Lazencroft Farm Post Medieval Pottery Kiln - Kathy Allday & Jean Millard
Kathy talked about the excavation of the farm ground where an impressive medieval kiln was found along with other small finds.

Steve Burt - Director of the Royal Armouries
A humoured look at interpretations including Rothwell Castle and Jack'o'Plates.

Interpretation by the Royal Armouries: The Peasants' Revolt, 1381
An excellent and highly animated reenactment of writings from 1381.

Medieval Kilns - John Hudson
An overview of medieval kilns, how they were build and the way they were used.

Practical Demonstration of Pottery Making Medieval Style - John Hudson
Another excellent showing of medieval pottery manufacturing techniques.

Medieval finds from the Portable Artiquities Scheme - Amy Cooper
An overview of recent finds brought into the PAS over the last year including and Anglo-Saxon Hoard from Yorkshire,