On the last Sunday in August the Avalon Archaeology site had its first ‘Blast from the Past‘ ancient music day. Tim Hill very kindly brought his musical expertise to demonstrate the replica Iron Age carnyx and the Roman cornu. The carnyx was a war horn used in Britain, Ireland and Gaul, between c.300BC and AD200, but it may also taken part in other ritual activities, as shown on the Gundestrup cauldron. Our replica was based on an 1818 find from a bog at Deskford in Scotland. The cornu was used in the Roman army for passing on signals to the troops but is also pictured alongside the water organ (hydraulis) entertaining the crowd in the ampitheatre. It is depicted on some stone monuments such as Trajan’s Column and recently the mouthpiece of a cornu has been found at Vindolanda fort on Hadrian’s Wall. Another unexpected treat was provided by a well dressed lyre player who entertained the crowds in the longhall.