Derbyshire Archaeology Day to support restoration of pioneering Peak District antiquarian’s tomb

The annual event, hosted by the heritage teams of the Peak District National Park and Derbyshire County Council, usually takes place at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre.

However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, it will be held online for the first time on February 5 and 6.

Archaeological discoveries will be highlighted through a series of two three-hour webinars.

Speakers will cover topics from the Roman period to the 19th century and, in addition, the event will celebrate two important anniversaries – the bicentenary of the birth of prominent local antiquarian Thomas Bateman (1821-1861) and the 70th birthday of the Peak District National Park.

The webinars are free, however there will be an option to make a donation to the Peak District National Park Foundation.

All money raised from the webinars will help to restore Thomas Bateman’s grade-II listed tomb in Middleton-By-Youlgrave.

To donate, click here.

Thomas Bateman was born in November 1821 in Rowsley and became known locally as the pioneer of early archaeology.

He was fascinated by Bronze Age burial mounds (barrows) and excavated more than 200 prehistoric barrows in the Peak District – earning himself the nickname ‘The Barrow Knight’.

Unlike many antiquarians working at that time, Thomas kept detailed records of his work and published his findings and made watercolour paintings of many of his excavation sites and artefacts.

Following his death, the collection of artefacts passed to his son, Thomas William Bateman.

Today, Bateman artefacts can be found in institutions worldwide and Museums Sheffield will this year host a major exhibition about Thomas at Weston Park Museum.

To register for the either of the archaeology day webinars, click here for February 5 or here for February 6.