NDAS Welcome

‘Time and Tide’
A day of talks on the archaeology and history of the North Devon coast, to mark the 50th anniversary of NDAS and North Devon AONB. Saturda 24th October, Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe - follow link for details

Potential Scrubbers needed!
MEDIEVAL POTTERY: REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
Exeter Archaeology recently dug up a vast hoard of 45,000 sherds of medieval pottery at Hemyock, a village on the Devon side of the Blackdown Hills. From 13-17 July we will be scrubbing these sherds between 9am and 5pm at the Custom House, The Quay, Exeter, and are looking for volunteers to join us. Various pot enthusiasts will be with us. If you are interested in taking part for all or some of the week, please contact John Allan below. Bring rubber gloves if you wish to use them!
Register with John Allan john.allan@exeter.gov.uk 01392 665918

Book Publication: A Field Guide to The Archaeology of the Taw & Torridge Estuaries by Chris Preece has now been published. Details and orders.

To promote awareness of and interest in archaeology and the historic environment with particular reference to northern Devon
To encourage field survey, recording and research
To promote the preservation and interpretation of ancient monuments and antiquities in the region.
Where appropriate and necessary, to excavate to professional standards and to publish the results of research.

Our Activities

NDAS was established in 1959, and for many years concentrated on providing lectures and visits for members. The society merged with North Devon Rescue, a campaigning organisation which had been instrumental in ensuring proper recording and excavation in the area, particularly during Barnstaple's major redevelopment in the 1980s.

The society continues to lobby and campaign for proper investigation and preservation of North Devon's physical heritage, including, for example, continuing threats against the Braunton Great Field.

Members of NDAS are well placed to be involved in cutting-edge archaeological exploration. Since the first discovery of Romano-British iron-working on the fringes of Exmoor, NDAS members have been actively involved. At Combe Martin a leading Society member has extended our knowledge of mineral exploitation – silver and lead - by centuries if not millennia. In Parracombe, where the Society has its own long-term landscape project, members are engaged in an excavation programme which is revealing new traces of Bronze Age settlement.

The Society acts as an umbrella organisation, encouraging a network of local groups to act together, sharing their observations, knowledge and experience. These currently represent Brayford, Combe Martin, Hartland, Hatherleigh, Parracombe, South Molton, Torrington and Winkleigh as well as the Barnstaple and Bideford areas