Roman armilla
Fragment of a decorated copper alloy Roman penannular bracelet, probably the terminal of an armilla, dating to AD 43-99. Similar bracelets have been identified as military armilae associated with the early occupation of Britain. Found in Edington, 2019. Donated to the Museum by WANHS Member and former Trustee, Julie Swabey,
Roman coin hoard
Hoard of 2,384 Roman copper-alloy coins from Pewsey. The group consists of mostly 4th century (330 – 348 AD) nummus and a small number of radiate coins. The hoard was discovered in 2014, inside a pottery vessel with a covering of thin lead sheet and possible hairy hide. PAS Treasure
The Story of George Hartford: Watercolour of Stanton St Quintin Church
In this beautiful watercolour by John Buckler, you can see the church at Stanton St Quintin, Wiltshire. Despite its beauty its graveyard holds a tragic tale. The first reference to the murder of George Hartford is made within the London Magazine (volume 33, 1764) describing the murder ‘with such terrible
Sarsen stone cutters goggles
These steel framed goggles were used by the Free family who had a sarsen stone cutting business at Fyfield from the 1850s to 1939. Sarsen-working became an important small industry on the Marlborough Downs from 1850 to World War Two. The stone was used for house building and as setts
Map of Wiltshire – John Speed
Our Archive and Library houses an intricate 1610 map of Wiltshire by famous cartographer John Speed (1552-1629). Speed's visually impressive maps of both county and country were renowned and sought-after worldwide. This stunning map of Wiltshire was produced for Speed's series of county maps in the atlas "The Theatre of
Phil Harding’s Scout Uniform
A Scout Uniform, Shalbourne (Marlborough) Troop, which once belonged to archaeologist and TV broadcaster, Phil Harding. Alongside a picture of Phil and a friend in said uniform, performing scout duites in the 1960s. The uniform and acompanyments include: brown shirt with various badges, including 'archaeologist' badge leather belt hat with
WW2 in Devizes: The Home Front
This remarkable photograph shows the Parade held to celebrate 'Salute the Soldier Week' in early June 1944. US troops from their base on the outskirts of Devizes paraded through the town. Days later, they were in action in Normandy during the D-Day landings. Video: Online talk about the Home Front
WW2 in Devizes: Prisoner of War Diary
Although referred to as a diary, it is more accurately described as a humorous account of the daily life of a prisoner, written in rhyming German. The diary was created by Herrmann Hildenstein, who wrote the rhyming verse and Herrmann Gensler who illustrated it with watercolour drawings. These two men
Upton Lovell Shaman
Buried in a barrow at Upton Lovell, the Shaman was a metalworker and religious leader, in touch with the spirit world. He was buried in his ceremonial cloak, decorated with pierced animal bones. These would have jangled as he walked and danced. He carried a magnificent dark coloured battle axe,
Lacock Cup
The Lacock Cup was originally made as a drinking cup for feasting in the late medieval period and was subsequently used as a chalice at St Cyriac’s Church in Lacock until the mid 1980s. It is one of England’s most important silver objects as it is a rare survival of