Despite their appearance Crinoids are animals. They were common in pre-historic times and often are found as fossils.
These are from The Hancock Museum in Newcastle and are particularly fine specimens.
What they may have looked like
Archive for the ‘Newcastle’ Category
Romans in The North East (3): Mithras
Posted: January 20, 2017 in History, Newcastle, Roman History, UKTags: Hadrian's Wall, Newcastle, Romans
The worship of the God Mithras, although originating in Persia, had come to the Roman Empire through the Greeks. It was popular amongst the Military and a number of Mithraic temples (Mithraeum) have been discovered on Miltary sites connected with Hadrian’s Wall.
Relief of Mithras killing the Bull from Mithraeum at Housesteads Fort
Statue of Birth of Mithras from Mithraeum at Housesteads Fort
Altar dedicated to Mithras the Invincible by the Prefect of 1st cohort of Batavians (from near the mouth of the river Rhine) from Mithraeum at Carrawburgh
Altar dedicated to Mithras from Mithraeum at Carrawburgh. It was probably painted as some green paint was still present on it when found
Altar dedicated to Mithras by Aulus Cluentius Habitus, an Italian from Lanneum in the Apennines – from Mithraeum at Carrawburgh
Romans in The North East (2)
Posted: January 13, 2017 in History, Newcastle, Roman History, UKTags: Hadrian's Wall, Newcastle, Romans
For many centuries during the Roman occupation the area around Newcastle was the frontier between the Roman Empire and the wild lands that lay beyond. The collection of Roman artefacts at The Hancock Museum in Newcastle is drawn from local excavations and reflects the life and the variety of people who found their way to this the most northern part of the Empire.
Altar to the ‘Genius of the Emperor’ set up by 1st cohort of Vardulli (scouts) who came from Northern Spain
Relief of a Syrian Archer
Tombstone of Aurelia Aia, a Christian from Salonae in Croatia – the wife of a soldier
Tombstone of the baby son of Aurelius Julianus, Tribune 1st Aelian Cohort (from Roumania) and 1st Thracian Cohort (from Bulgaria /Turkey)
Tombstone of Aureilia Aureliana. Late 3rd century AD
A pair of altars found near the bridge at Newcastle. They probably come from a harbour shrine as one is dedicated to the river god Neptune (Trident) and the other to the Sea god Oceanus (Anchor). They were set up by the 6th Legion, who played a major part in the building of Hadrian’s wall
Romans in the North East (1)
Posted: January 6, 2017 in History, Newcastle, Roman History, UKTags: Hadrian's Wall, Newcastle, Romans
For many centuries during the Roman occupation the area around Newcastle was the frontier between the Roman Empire and the wild lands that lay beyond. The collection of Roman artefacts at The Hancock Museum in Newcastle is drawn from local excavations and reflects the life and the variety of people who found their way to this the most northern part of the Empire.
Quern-stone for grinding corn into flour
Amphora originating from Southern Spain
Italian Red slip ware
Altar dedicated to the goddess Minerva
Statue head from Temple at Benwell Fort
Roman coffin found in Newcastle
Roman coffin found in Newcastle
Northumbrian Wildlife: Bullfinches
Posted: October 17, 2016 in Newcastle, Northumberland, UKTags: Bullfinch, Washington Wetlands Centre
The bullfinch is one of the most attractive birds and one of my favourites. So it was very exciting to get the opportunity to photograph them at The Wetlands Trust at Washington.
Statues and Monuments: The Renwick Memorial
Posted: August 23, 2016 in History, Newcastle, UKTags: Newcastle, The Respone
A trip out of London for today’s post: The Renwick memorial (also known as ‘The Response’) is to be found in central Newcastle, where it stands in the grounds of St Thomas’ church at Barras Bridge.
The Renwick Memorial is dedicated to all those who answered the call to serve in the armed forces in World War 1. Its scenes depict the soldiers leaving their loved ones to go off to war.  The memorial was commissioned by Sir George and Lady Renwick and given to the city in 1923 to commemorate three events: the raising of the Commercial Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers; the return of the five Renwick sons from the war; and Sir George Renwick’s attainment of 50 years of commercial life on Newcastle Quayside it was unveiled by the Prince of Wales as part of a visit that he made to the city in July 1923.
The reverse of the memorial depicting a Northumberland Fusilier of 1674 and of 1918 and St George
Statues and Memorials in Newcastle: The Response
Posted: July 26, 2015 in Newcastle, UKTags: Northumberland Fusiliers, The Response
The Response is a war memorial dedicated to the Northumberland Fusiliers. The bronze on the front depicts a group of soldiers from the regiment leaving for war in October 1914. On the rear is a carving of St George flanked by two members of the Fusiliers from 1674 and 1919. It stands next to the church of St Thomas the Martyr by Barras Bridge. The sculptor was Sir William Gascombe John who had studied in Paris under Rodin. It was unvieled in July 1923 and was restored in 2007.
Views of Newcastle (3): The merger of old and new
Posted: July 18, 2015 in NewcastleTags: Newcastle
As you travel around Newcastle there are many reminders of the historic importance of the city and as in many of our modern cities they sit alongside the modern developments. Some such as the Baltic Mill have found new leases of life very different to their original function.
Baltic Mill – now an arts centre
All that remains of the Castle
A bar on the riverside
The Sage, Gateshead ( an arts venue) seen from Newcastle river front
The castle keep surrounded by roads and rail
Views of Newcastle (2): City of Bridges
Posted: July 3, 2015 in Newcastle, UKTags: Newcastle, Tyne Bridges
Another iconic image of the City of Newcastle are the seven bridges which connect it to Gateshead on the southern side of the river Tyne.
Swing Bridge 1876
High level bridge 1849 carries both a road and railways
Tyne Bridge 1928
Millenium Bridge 2000. The worlds only tilting footbridge
Millenium Bridge
Whilst in Newcastle recently I managed to find time to do the tourist bus trail. One of the iconic places in the city centre we passed was St James’ Park, home to Newcastle United and the Toon Army.
And for anyone wondering what it looks like inside
Photo by Jack Pickard (https://www.flickr.com/photos/thepickards/)
