Sign up for discovery day and help restore historic Peak District tomb

Derbyshire Archaeology Day, an 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 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.

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.

He also made watercolour paintings of many of his excavation sites and artefacts.

Thomas held his collection at his home, Lomberdale House, in Middleton-by-Youlgrave. When he died, aged 39, he was buried – in line with his wishes - in a field near his home, rather than a churchyard.

His tomb is topped by a stone replica of a Bronze Age collared urn.

To register for the Derbyshire Archaeology Day events, visit my.demio.com/ref/DM3swJYJuj6oEFwR for Friday 1pm to 4pm or my.demio.com/ref/FornbWqYemXA7Wxr for Saturday 10am to 1pm.