 |
 |
Very Cool Abigail! Thanks! Best, Suzanne łNo, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical.˛ ~Niels Bohr On 1/21/11 8:44 AM, "Abigail Ann Young" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I realise there is no direct connection between mediaeval graffiti and > REED activity (although early modern graffiti may owe something to all > those drunken morris dancers et al who were reluctantly compelled by the > churchwardens to attend evening service). But I could not resist sending > this on.... > > Abigail > ---------------------------------------- > >> Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:59:57 +0000 >> From: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: [BRITARCH] Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Project >> To: [log in to unmask] >> >> Press release - apologies for cross posting. >> >> Norfolk Graffiti project short-listed for national award >> >> 21/01/2011 >> >> A local community archaeology project aimed at discovering and recording >> examples of medieval graffiti has been short-listed for a prestigious >> national award. The Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Project, which marks its first >> anniversary this month, has been selected as one of the finalists in the >> 'Awards for the Presentation of Heritage Research 2011'. These annual >> awards, sponsored by English Heritage, aim to encourage researchers to >> present their research on British and Irish archaeology, historic buildings >> and heritage conservation, to the wider public. >> >> The Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Project began in January 2010 with the aim of >> carrying out the first large scale study of surviving medieval graffiti >> inscriptions in Norfolk churches. Although the project has so far only >> managed to survey about 50 of the counties 650+ medieval churches the >> results have been a surprise to all involved. "When we began the project", >> stated project director Matthew Champion, "we suspected that medieval >> graffiti inscriptions were far more common than previously thought. However, >> even we were surprised by the scale of the findings. To date, having >> surveyed only 50 churches, we have discovered significant medieval graffiti >> in over 30". The project has so far been concentrating its efforts on the >> North Norfolk area but, over the coming months, it hopes to expand its >> coverage into central and eastern areas. "The quantity and quality of the >> graffiti varies greatly from church to church", continues Matthew Champion, >> "and it tends to be located in certain 'hot-spots' within the building. So >> far we have discovered Latin inscriptions, prayers, ships, animals, >> windmills, caricatures and geometric patterns. It's all very diverse and you >> really never know what will turn up next". >> >> The church of All Saints at Litcham, which was one of the first to be >> surveyed, is one of the great discoveries of the Project. The aisle piers, >> which were rebuilt in the early 15th century, were constructed using a very >> soft chalk like stone and now contain over fifty examples of early graffiti. >> Although the softness of the piers has meant that many are no longer legible >> the sheer number of textual inscriptions and images is remarkable. Names, >> prayers, faces, hands, Latin cryptograms, multiple daisy-wheels and swastika >> pelta appear from behind the flaking lime-wash, making it one of the >> greatest concentrations of material yet surveyed. However, the quantity of >> graffiti discovered at Litcham, although remarkable, is by no means unique. >> >> Further north, the churches of the Glaven ports have been extensively >> surveyed by John Peake who has shown that they contain a remarkable amount >> of pre-reformation graffiti. In particular the magnificent church of St >> Nicholas at Blakeney has proved to be a veritable treasure trove of >> inscriptions. Merchants marks, illuminated capitals, prayers and symbols >> have all been identified within its structure. However, the most notable >> instances of pre-reformation graffiti located at Blakeney must be regarded >> as the large amount of 'ship' graffiti found in the nave. At present John >> has discovered over thirty individual ship images within this elaborate >> structure. >> >> The projects most spectacular discovery was made a few miles from Blakeney >> at the impressive remains of Binham Priory. Whilst carrying out a graffiti >> survey in the nave of the church the project director uncovered a series of >> architectural graffiti inscriptions that appear to be the original >> master-masons drawings for the elaborate West Front of the Priory. Although >> investigations are due to continue at Binham over the coming months the >> discovery has already been described as 'remarkable' and 'very significant'. >> >> "To be shortlisted for a national award after such a short time is a great >> achievement", concluded Matthew Champion, "and it's a real boost for all >> those involved. Sitting in cold and draughty churches staring at the walls >> can be a little dispiriting at times, so this recognition is a real morale >> booster". All the projects that have been short-listed for the award will be >> presenting their findings to a public audience at the British Museum on the >> 25th February. The audience will be invited to help the panel of judges >> assess the presentations and the winner will be announced later that >> evening. Further information on the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey can be >> found on the project website - www.medieval-graffiti.co.uk >> >> ENDS >> >> >> >> For further information, please contact Project Director, Matthew Champion, >> on 07810 677723 or by email at [log in to unmask] >> >> >> >> >> >>