Finding a Dim Far-Away Past: Nineteenth Century Archaeological Endeavour in Cleveland

Abstract

This paper reviews the evidence for archaeological activity in north-east Yorkshire and Cleveland during the nineteenth century. Three groups of participants are identified — churchmen, the self-styled ‘Cleveland Bards’, and representatives of the new industrial town of Middlesbrough — although none is likely to have called himself an archaeologist. Their interests found particular focus in the excavation of Bronze Age burial mounds and were for the most part focused on the identification of a pagan, barbaric and uncivilised past which could be contrasted with a civilized present. The particular interest in the archaeological monuments may have been a reflection of the tensions caused by the rapid development of the new iron and steel industry along the lower Tees, formerly the scene of rural agriculture.

Keywords:

• Bronze Age
• Burial mound
• Archaeologist
• Antiquarian
• Excavation

A version of this paper was presented at the Elgee Memorial Lecture, Middlesbrough in December 1995. I am especially grateful to Malcolm Chase for drawing my attention to the Punch cartoon, to Dawn Knowles for producing the map and to Linda Ebbatson, Terry Manby, Jenny Parker, David Stocker, Geoffrey Stout, Parry Thornton and Hilary Wade for information and helpful comment. Thanks are also due to the staff of Teesside Archive Service, the Dorman Museum and the Central Reference Library, all in Middlesbrough, for the provision of source material. Helpful comment by an anonymous referee is also gratefully acknowledged.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Blaise Vyner

Blaise Vyner has researched the archaeology of North Yorkshire and the Tees valley for many years. He is particularly interested in landscape history and prehistoric archaeology and is currently engaged in a study of the archaeology of Fylingdales Moor, north-east Yorkshire. Email address [email protected]