Charting 9000 Years Of History In Falkirk

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                                         Charting 9000 years of history in Falkirk






By Mark Henderson
The Falkirk Herald
Nov. 13, 2008

                             AROUND 9000 years ago the first humans set foot in Falkirk.

Since then Bronze Age settlers and the Romans are among the many cultures to have left their mark
on the area.

The clues to their existence are everywhere.

They can be found beneath the ground we walk on and across the local landscape. Park your car at
The Falkirk Wheel and you are actually on top of an Iron Age settlement.

Those responsible for discovering, analysing and documenting these finds are people like Geoff Bailey.

Since 1984, Geoff has been Falkirk Council's archaeologist and keeper of local history.

For many, archaeology will conjure up the image of cinema icon Indiana Jones, but it was not the exploits of a fictional film character which sparked off Geoff's childhood interest.

"When I went on holiday with my parents as a young kid we visited
castles and other buildings,'' he said. "It's just such a fascinating subject and it sparked an interest.

"Archaeology is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. You might have some picture or idea, but you
still have to put them together and only after that can you find a coherent image."

Originally from Wigan, the 48-year-old studied archaeological sciences at the University of Bradford, before arriving in Falkirk 25 years ago seeking his first job. He was successful and since then Geoff
has been painstakingly piecing together the local history

"When I first arrived, I didn't know too much about the area, although I had done excavation work
on the Antonine Wall for the Hunterian Museum.

"We are lucky to have such a rich wealth of archaeological history here in Falkirk. We find things
from periods like the Neolithic age right up to industrialisation."

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Indeed, it's an exciting time for local archaeology. Most notable was the news earlier this year that the Antonine Wall was to be awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.

The most northerly frontier of the once mighty Roman Empire dissects the heart of Falkirk on its route across Scotland, and Geoff believes its new status will be important in preserving a site which has suffered at the hands of developers in the past.

"It's obviously a very impressive thing to be awarded," he said. "It will be important to the district, as it brings our area to the attention of the world.

"In the '60s and '70s we lost large chunks of the land through developments. For example, when the M9 motorway was constructed, it went right across 3/4 of a mile of the Antonine Wall.

''There are only 38 miles of it, so you would think they would want to minimise the damage."

"We are now working on the future plans for the wall and, in the longer term, we are also looking at a new footpath to run alongside it."
Being so close to the wall means the area provides a hive of Roman
treasures.

During Geoff's tenure, the first Roman fort in Falkirk and annex were uncovered, and every year brings fresh discoveries.

"This year, when someone was getting a conservatory built in Laurieston, near where the annex of the Roman fort would have been, an iron smelting furnace was found," he said.

"At another dig in Laurieston along the back of the Antonine Wall, we found a gully with Roman pottery and ramparts.

"Then through the back of the Howgate Shopping Centre, an investigation into the north ditch of the Roman fort means we now know that it was two acres in size and not one of the smaller ones."

Despite the heavy Roman influence, there has been plenty other antiquities uncovered – including those from the Bronze, Neolithic, Medieval and Dark Ages.

One that Geoff found particularly memorable took place during an excavation at Callendar Business Park.

"It was probably the most significant in terms of the artefacts we found," he explained.

"We found an 80ft long timber hall which dates back to 981 AD, which was the Viking Age.

"It was also unique for the fact it was a combination of the Northern Pictish and Anglian architecture – which again makes it very interesting."

And while archaeological methods may be becoming more scientific you never know what you might find by simply going for a stroll in Falkirk.

"During excavation work at Airth Castle we discovered an Iron Age lamp," said Geoff. "It had been part of the old church wall but had fallen out and was just lying there on the ground.

''It just shows the important discoveries you can make without digging."

When not out in field, Geoff spends much of his time at Callendar House, cataloguing finds and writing reports, however part of his job also involves informing people about the history of the area.

Every year he gives around 40 talks to local societies and groups and it's a part of the job he feels is important.

"It's not something you can do unless have an interest and I think everyone has a good time," he said. "And, as I always say, it's the people's archaeology."

The full article contains 851 words and appears in n/a newspaper.





Last Updated: 13 November 2008 1:53 PM

Source: n/a

Location: Falkirk