York Archaeological Trust find Roman vase at Hungate dig in York

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York Archaeological Trust find Roman vase at Hungate dig in York

11:30am Saturday 23rd October 2010



Christine McDonnell, of York Archaeological Trust, with a Roman vase found at Hungate

A RARE glimpse into the world of Roman funeral rituals is on offer to visitors to DIG in York.

Archaeologists from York Archaeological Trust, who are excavating the Hungate site, have unearthed a small Roman cemetery which has so far revealed 20 burials and six cremations. In two graves, which contained the remains of Roman citizens, was an assembly of rich grave goods.

Among the grave goods on display in the Grave Matters exhibition at DIG now until February next year are intricate jet and shale jewellery, glass necklace beads, a glass perfume bottle and pottery vessels from Britain and beyond. Visitors can see the finds up close and can discover the background to how the items arrived at Hungate and the methods used by the Trust to excavate and then conserve them.

The findings will be on show in the exhibition area within DIG, York Archaeological Trust’s hands-on excavation attraction at St Saviourgate, York. The Hungate dig is York’s biggest excavation in more than 25 years and the exhibition will change four times a year to show the latest finds and new archaeological developments. To find out more about DIG and the new Grave Matters exhibition, visit digyork.com or phone 01904 615505.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8471701.Rites_stuff_at_York_dig_site/