Outside the village of Bolam in County Durham stands a proud 9th century stone cross, right in the middle of a rich early medieval landscape not far from Roman Dere Street.
This cross has been the subject of local myth and story for hundreds of years, with stories of Romans and Anglo-Saxons, and even King James I! Now we’re investigating to see if we can work out fact from fiction, and we need your help.
What is it?
Legs Cross is one of many crossed or standing stones erected in the 8-10th centuries AD. They’re mainly found in northern England, and have a variety of functions. From place markers to meeting points to gravestones, such variety raises questions about what Legs Cross might have been used for.
Legs Cross is also in a really nice condition, so it presents a unique opportunity for study!
What’s the plan?
We’ve already got started on site, producing a lovely 3D model of the cross.
Now we’re kicking off a series of surveys, including geophysics, GPR and drone, in order to create another 3D model, this time of the entire surrounding landscape. We want a team to join us for an exciting digital workshop to learn the ins and outs of archaeological surveying, and to help us interpret our results.
This work will help us determine the roll this iconic feature played in the vast history of the local area, and answer four key questions:
- Why is the cross there?
- How did it get its unusual name?
- What is its purpose?
- How is it associated with the surrounding archaeology?
