Exhibition marks life of the man who dug up hundreds of burial mounds

An exhibition marking the life and work of the celebrated antiquary J R Mortimer, who excavated hundreds of burial mounds on the Wolds, is to be held in Fimber where he was born in 1825.

A corn merchant by trade, his interest in archaeology was aroused by a visit to the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and at first he collected chalk and flint implements – offering prizes to farm workers for the largest quantity. He was so well known in his area that flint implements became known as “Mortimers”.

When they started to run out he turned his attention to burial mounds, eventually excavating more than 400 prehistoric mounds and other archaeological features on the Wolds, eventually becoming a nationally recognised authority on the subject.

In 1877 he purchased land at Driffield and built a private museum to house tens of thousands of artefacts, which after his death were purchased by Hull Museums.

The display will be opened during the Harvest Festival service at St Mary’s Church, Fimber, on Sunday, October 6.

Fimber residents Peter Leese and Jenny Lambert worked with Mortimer’s biographer Stephen Harrison to create the memorial.

Mr Leese said: “We felt that it was important to do something to raise the awareness of Mortimer in the village where he was born.

“With the support of East Riding Council and the Leader (funding programme) and Fimber Parochial Church Council, we have been able to create a graphic display that we hope will be a legacy to his life and work.”