Join Tees Archaeology at Seaton Carew, learn more about the historic past of this coastal town and its old buildings.
The ‘SeaScapes’ Scheme is an exciting coastal heritage and conservation partnership, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, that explores the story of the Tyne to Tees Shores and Seas seascape from prehistory to present day (https://ess-staging.differentnarrative.co.uk/about/).
Seaton Carew is a medieval village, probably established soon after the Norman Conquest, but the history of the area goes back much further than that. There are peat beds (Hartlepool Submerged Forest) on the beach that date back approximately 10,000 years and contain evidence of people using the landscape.
Roman finds have also been made in the area and there was probably a settlement nearby. It’s likely that Roman ships called at Seaton on their way up the coast to take supplies to Hadrian’s Wall. Over the centuries, the long beach was a place where vessels in distress were beached to escape storms. This includes a wreck of a collier of the type that Captain Cook sailed around the world in the 18th century (this is often covered in sand and is a designated protected wreck).
The Seaton Carew Conservation Area consists mainly of a frontage of properties facing out to the North Sea, with a single road running north to south to the front (the A178). The layout and building character evident in the Conservation Area primarily derives from the economic and social activities between the 18th and early 20th centuries, with three distinctive phases of construction. This has resulted in a mixture of buildings of different periods standing together side by side to produce an interesting and unique appearance.
Tees Archaeology and Archaeological Services Durham University, in collaboration with SeaScapes, are going to be carrying out a community archaeology project working with local people and volunteers to investigate the history of Seaton Carew through workshops, building recording and geophysical survey.
These activities are free to join, but places are limited and must be booked in advance.
Workshop 1 – Learn the methodology
Date: Thursday, 4 April, 10:00 – 16:00.
Location: Thrive Hive, Seaton Carew Methodist Church, TS25 1BH
Please visit the following Eventbrite page to learn more and sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-workshop-tickets-873195209377
Workshop 2 – Building Recording
Dates: 8th – 12th April, 10:00 – 16:00
Location: Thrive Hive, Seaton Carew Methodist Church, TS25 1BH
Please visit the following Eventbrite page to learn more and sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-project-building-recording-tickets-873223403707
Workshop 3 – Geophysical Survey
Date: Thursday 18 April, morning session 10 – 12:30, afternoon session 13:30-16:00
Location: The Green, Seaton Carew
Please visit the following Eventbrite page to learn more and sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-project-geophysical-survey-tickets-873233634307
Workshop – The Results and Methods
Date: Monday 22 April, 10:00 – 16:00
Location: Thrive Hive, Seaton Carew Methodist Church, TS25 1BH
There are a number of pay and display car parks in Seaton Carew; the nearest of these to the venue is Rocket House Car Park, which is located a c. 10 minute walk away from Seaton Carew Methodist Church.
Please visit the following Eventbrite page to learn more and sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-workshop-tickets-873212380737
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