Eminent archaeologist to deliver centenary lecture at the Armitt

A special lecture, reception and book launch will mark the finale of a year of centenary celebrations at the Armitt Library and Museum in Ambleside. The eminent archaeologist Percival Turnbull will deliver the centenary lecture – on the subject of hoards, and especially the Ambleside hoard – on November 30 at 6pm. It will be followed by a reception to mark the launch of Barbara Crossley’s book about the Armitt sisters.

Percival Turnbull studied at the University of London's Institute of Archaeology, and has worked as a professional archaeologist for twenty-five years, holding posts at the University of Durham and with Durham, North Yorkshire and Cumbria County Councils. He has directed major excavations on a variety of sites, mainly prehistoric and Roman, and is the author of many published papers on subjects ranging from Roman erotic art to Iron Age politics. He is a part-time lecturer with the University of Leeds, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

The Armitt is currently showing its centenary exhibition, Sublime Transactions, in which a number of notable artists pay tribute to items from the museum’s collections. During the centenary year the museum is displaying the Bronze Age ceremonial weapons found in the area and on loan from the Royal Collection. There is also a collection of letters and drawings by the guidebook writer, Alfred Wainwright, along with the museum’s permanent exhibitions including many scientific drawing and paintings by Beatrix Potter.

The library includes a comprehensive collection of mountaineering literature. Tickets for the centenary lecture will be available shortly.