North Devon Archaeological Society

Promoting awareness of the archaeology and history of North Devon

Welcome to the North Devon Archaeological Society…..

What would you like to do ?

NDAS was established in 1959, and for many years concentrated on providing lectures and visits for members. The society merged with North Devon Rescue, a campaigning organisation which had been instrumental in ensuring proper recording and excavation in the area, particularly during Barnstaple's major redevelopment in the 1980s.

The society continues to lobby and campaign for proper investigation and preservation of North Devon's physical heritage, including, for example, continuing threats against the Braunton Great Field.

Members of NDAS are well placed to be involved in cutting-edge archaeological exploration, alongside both research and rescue organisations. Recently members have worked with Exmoor National Park and Leicester University studying the Bronze Age Landscape around Chapman Barrows.

The Society has also completed a 5 year survey of the Fish Weirs of the Taw/Torridge estuary, excavation of a hillslope enclosure at Parracombe and excavation of a pipe kiln site at Little Potheridge. These sites have been published in the Devon Archaeological Society Proceedings in 2005, 2009 and 2019 respectively.

In the last 2 years the Society has been working with N. Devon AONB at Clovelly Dykes Iron Age hillfort.

The Society’s interests cover the whole of the Northern Devon Area and we have good contacts with other local societies with similar interests.

Members take part in all aspects of practical archaeology including geophysical surveys, earthwork surveys, excavation, fieldwalking, potwashing etc. and the Society has attempted to train members in all these areas whenever possible. Training days are also held on documentary research, flint identification, pottery identification, pottery drawing etc.

NDAS welcomes all new members, regardless of whether they have any previous knowledge of archaeology.

Our Aims

To promote awareness of, and interest in, archaeology and the historic environment with particular reference to northern Devon.
To encourage field survey, recording, and research.
To promote the preservation and interpretation of ancient monuments and antiquities in the region.
Where appropriate and necessary, to excavate to professional standards and to publish the results of research.

Find out what's on Join us Read our newsletters Check out our links View our current projects Publications & Research Papers Read about our past activities Contact us What is Grey Literature?

Guidelines for Projects

A4 size report, 56 pages. We are selling this at cost with no profit to NDAS. Price £7.50 (inc. P&P). Please make cheque out to NDAS and send along with your address to Chris Preece, 538 Kingsley Park, Westward Ho! N. Devon EX39 1UG.

Protection of Archaeology and Historic Buildings