News Archive
November 2008
An Archaeological Research Services Ltd project mapping the North East Coast has featured in many leading stories in both the local and national press. See the links below.
Times Online
Newcastle Journal
November 2008
Archaeological Research Services Ltd have undertaken an archaeological excavation on Stanton Moor, Derbyshire. Due to previous work on the site, it was anticipated that any archaeological remains discovered would relate to either prehistoric activity, or to later Post-Medieval activity. What emerged was an multi-period site with not only phases of prehistoric activity and post-medieval activity, but also structural deposits radiocarbon-dated to the Dark Age or Early Medieval period.
The principal discovery was an arrangement of postholes with two associated hearths, which radiocarbon dating has placed in the 6th -7th centuries AD, a time during which the Peak District may well have been a Brittonic or Anglo-Brittonic petty kingdom of the ‘Paecsaetan’ (Peak Dwellers) separate from the Kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.
September 2008 
ARS Ltd have recently taken part in a series of open days for schools and the public held by Tarmac at Barrasford Quarry in Northumberland. The open days showed the public how the quarry runs as well as looking at all the other activities associated with quarrying and mineral extraction such as ecology and archaeology. Drawing on fascinating projects such as Cheviot Quarry and Lanton Quarry, ARS Ltd were able to explain more about the varied archaeology in the area and how it has been recorded.
September 2008 
A watching brief for Tarmac Ltd has been completed at the flagship project site at Cheviot Quarry. Three pits and a hearth, all dating from the Neolithic, have been uncovered, some of which contained pottery sherds. This project compliments the original Cheviot Quarry project undertaken by ARS Ltd which produced evidence forearly to late Neolithic settlement comprising structures, pits and hearths as well as Bronze Age houses and Dark Age halls.
To visit the Cheviot Quarry Project page, click here.
August 2008 
ARS Ltd have been involved in the re-alignment of Robin Hood's Stoop, Hathersage; a 17th century or earlier wayside cross. It was tilting downslope due to natural slippage and the Peak District National Park Authority commissioned ARS Ltd to right the monument and stabilise its foundations.
There are many sites in Derbyshire associated with the Robin Hood myths. Tradition relates that Robin Hood shot an arrow from Robin Hood's Stoop into Hathersage Churchyard, almost 2000 yards away. This churchyard is known as the burial site for Little John.
To visit the Peak District National Park Authority's website, click here.
July 2008
ARS Ltd have recently finished excavations at the site of Mercia Marina, near Willington, Derbyshire. It is Europe's largest inland marina and devoted to narrow boats using the canal system.
Excavations revealed archaeological remains and finds from the Mesolithic through to the late prehistoric period including several Early Neolithic buildings, a later Neolithic cremation with the base of the urn still intact and two ring ditches.
For more information on the excavations visit our projects pages here, and for more information on the Mercia Marina development vist the website here.
April 2008
ARS Ltd are currently involved in a community-led project to provide sustainable water-powered electricity in New Mills, Derbyshire.
The Torrs Hydro Electric Scheme is a venture which aims to assist in regenerating the local area and a large portion of the funding is provided by local shareholders.
ARS Ltd are providing the archaeological component of the project as the development is situated around the remains of an old cotton mill on the banks of the River Goyt.
March 2008
ARS Ltd lead the way in aggregates and archaeology provision with projects showcased in all three recent profession-wide reviews by independent experts.
Using the link above and navigating to the 'Reviews and Project Reports' section displays the output from a major overview project funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. It distils the knowledge gained from over 360 projects funded by the ALSF through MIRO, CLG and English Heritage between 2002 and 2007. ARS Ltd projects feature in all three of the 'heritage' theme reports relating to the ALSF as distributed by English Heritage.
February 2008
ARS Ltd staff have been heavily involved in the publication of three new monographs. Further information and links to the appropriate websites from which the books can be purchased, can be found on our publications page here.
'Mesolithic Settlement in the North Sea Basin: A case study from Howick, North-East England' Edited by Clive Waddington.
'Mesolithic Studies in the North Sea Basin and Beyond: Proceedings of a Conference Held at Newcastle in 2003' Edited by Clive Waddington and Kristian Pedersen.
'Art as Metaphor: The Prehistoric Rock Art of Britain' Edited by Aron Mazel, George Nash and Clive Waddington.