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and so to nra (for the manuscript content!) and lochist... apols x posting Iain cc lochist | Iain E.F. Flett | 07796585188 þ| [log in to unmask] | ---------------------------------------- > 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] > > > > > >