ANNUAL REPORT of the South West Implement Petrology Group
2011/12
1. The group offers a service of sampling and identifying the source rock from which
stone implements have been made. This is still adding to our knowledge of
settlement and social practice in the period roughly 2500 to 1500 BC.
2. The collection
Nine samples of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age implements recorded and processed
through our arrangement with Dr Jens Andersen of the Camborne School of Mines,
University of Exeter, have been added to the reference collection. New lamps have
been obtained for the petrological microscope.
3. Sampling costs
Prices charged for specimens submitted through non-members have been reviewed
to reflect real costs of analysis. They remain free for all specimens submitted by
member museums.
4. The Committee has contributed to the South West Regional Archaeological
Framework Strategy discussions.
5. Research
The group is collaborating with the Camborne School of Mines (University of
Exeter) and English Heritage to design a funded investigation into defining
characteristics of source rocks more precisely so that the information represented
in the petrological samples can be better used.
6. Records
Our recorder, Barry Chandler, is leading a project to overhaul our records and
make them compatible with access and use on the website.
7. Meetings
The Group held our usual two meetings last year in July and January. Our next
meeting will be held on 3 July 2012 at the Museum of Somerset, Taunton, where Mik
Markham and Jens Anderssen will be leading a discussion on the further research
into identifying artefacts of Cornish greenstones, and 22 January 2013 at the Royal
Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter. All meetings are open to anyone wishing to attend
and so all are very welcome.
Tom Cadbury, Hon. Secretary
PTO
Committee Funds as at 31 March 2012
The following is extracted from the Financial Accounts and Balance Sheet for the
year ended 31 March 2012 of the South Western Federation of Museums and Art
Galleries (Company Registration No. 05536131) as prepared by Clive Fisher, Hon
Treasurer, examined by Simon Langford, Hon Auditor, and endorsed by the Annual
Meeting on 18 June 2012.
2010/11
2011/12
Brought forward (£)
Add subscriptions
Less expenditure
1,326.50
180.00
-200.00
1,306.50
180.00
-50.22‡
Balance
1,306.50
1,436.28
‡ purchase of replacement lamps for the microscope.
David Dawson, Hon Treasurer