We were delighted to support Shincliffe Local History Society in their attempt to date the submerged timber structure through the awarding of our annual research award. Paid-up members of the Society can apply here: aasdn.org.uk/AASDN_Research…

The full video of the underwater structure at Shincliffe in County Durham is available here: youtu.be/qfMaKbEKBV4?si…

Incredible 200 year old 'adzs' tool marks at the bottom of this elm post! You can see the moment of discovery over on my YouTube channel... 'Dive into History: Finding Ignatius Bonomi's Lost Bridge' youtu.be/qfMaKbEKBV4?si… AASDN Dive into History UK

After finding Ignatius Bonomi we then go in search of John Wigham! Our second 'Dive into History' video just a week or so away... youtu.be/qfMaKbEKBV4?si… via YouTube

Hot on the heels of Ignatius Bonomi, we're embarking on another adventure, this time looking for John Wigham's lost ship repair yard... youtu.be/qfMaKbEKBV4?si… (video available very soon).

Fossilisation, year one…. #gannet

Butchered animal bone, clay pipes, buttons, glass and pottery, loads of post-medieval pottery; there’s even a sherd of a C.16/17 Bartmann jug, complete with a bearded grumpy face! And this is just day one of our big dig!

A delightful post-medieval pewter spoon out of the mud today… well done to finder Stevie Grieves 👏👏

Lions and tigers and bears (or pig)? 😉

Fresh out of trench one is this delightful Georgian fob seal complete with mermaid intaglio. She’s seemingly admiring her reflection in a hand mirror. If it’s a re-used intaglio depicting a siren, known as for luring travellers, which period would it date from? 🤔

Sunday matinee time.... There's loads more underwater archaeological/historical adventures over on my YouTube channel: youtube.com/@GaryBankhead

Gary kindly took part in our Friends Lecture Series last year. Our member can view an exclusive recording shortly and learn more about the #pilgrim tokens that have been found in the River Wear at #Durham. Great news about the book Gary Bankhead. We can't wait to find out more!

Finding Bonomi's lost bridge: How County Durham river mystery was solved ift.tt/2U6YufK

My feature in The Northern Echo on how a 40-year-old mystery over sunken timbers in the River Wear near Durham was solved by Gary Bankhead and his team. thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25292930.…

"Brilliant research, beautifully written" - Jill Cucchi, Editor. My new publication: 'Pilgrim Souvenirs, Devotional and other Objects of Faith. Late-medieval to modern period small finds from the River Wear, Durham' Pre-order your copy now... diveintodurham.uk/publications.h…

Another great find from Gary Bankhead #NorthHylton #SouthHylton bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

NEW RELEASE: ‘Pilgrim Souvenirs, Devotional and other Objects of Faith. Late-medieval to modern period small finds from the River Wear, Durham.’ Monograph available from 16th October 2025. Find out more and pre-order a signed copy via: diveintodurham.uk/publications.h… AASDN

A rare, intact three-legged cauldron, possibly early medieval, has been discovered by our community archaeology group. To ensure its safe recovery and conservation, we need funding. Can you help us preserve this remarkable find for future generations? See youtu.be/yDrK8Ag8wV4?si…

It may not look like much — just a humble post-medieval copper alloy ‘bodkin’ — but its underwater discovery was a moment worth capturing. Watch the short 3-minute video over on my YouTube channel: youtu.be/x7X3fdSAEBg?si…

Our recent discovery of the submerged 'briggstones' quietly slipped under the media radar — but it’s a significant find. These stones may resolve long-standing debates among antiquarian societies about the original structure’s nature #sunderland bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…