Date: 16 July 2006 19:21

CELEBRATE THE HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE CASTLE IN NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK

Cambridge Castle will be the focus of celebrations and discovery during 
National Archaeology Week next month.

Historical re-enactments, displays and artefact handling will all form part 
of the special week, which runs from July 15 to 23.

 National Archaeology Week in Cambridgeshire is being organised by 
Cambridgeshire County Council's archaeological section, who will lead guided 
walks throughout the week.

Beginning on Saturday 15 July with a Children's Archaeology Day at Cambridge 
Central Library, there will then be guided tours of Castle Hill on Tuesday 
18 July and Thursday 20 July lunchtimes and in the evening of Wednesday 19 
July.

There will then be a Cambridge Castle Conference on Saturday 22 July, with 
the week's events culminating on Sunday 23 July with a Celebration of 
Cambridge Castle, which will include archaeology displays, living history 
re-enactments, artefact handling sessions and much more.

 Whilst the modern Castle Hill is now the site of Shire Hall, the County 
Council headquarters, it has been the centre of Cambridge since before the 
Roman invasion, when a defended Celtic settlement was built to control the 
crossing of the river.

After the Roman invasion, a fort was built on the site and this later 
developed into a small Roman town known as Duroliponte.  After the Norman 
Conquest, the first of two medieval castles was built on the site, giving 
its name of Castle Hill in the process. The site continued to be of 
importance in the Civil War, when it was fortified for cannons. Later 
history of the site includes its use as a gaol in
the 19th century.

County Council archaeologist Stephen Macaulay said: "Castle Hill is not just 
the site of a Norman castle. It is a site with a fascinating history. 
National Archaeology Week is the opportunity to discover the Roman shrines, 
Victorian prison and the ancient 13th century castle built in Edward I's 
reign. All this is now hidden, but National Archaeology Week is the time to 
uncover the site's fascinating history."

Coun John Reynolds, County Councillor for Environment and Community Services 
added: "It is entirely appropriate that National Archaeology Week in 
Cambridgeshire should be centred on the ancient Cambridge Castle and 
organised by County Council archaeologists. The Castle has been at the 
centre of political power and decision making for many centuries, and I hope 
this tradition will continue for many years to come. I hope as many people 
as possible will join the exciting  events organised for National 
Archaeology Week."

Every event for National Archaeology Week at Castle Hill is free - except 
for the Conference on July 22.  For a free leaflet of all of the events 
listed ring 01223 718133 or 576201 or go to our website on
 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/archaeology
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/archaeology

John Reynolds