A one-time Stone rolled into Tyneside yesterday to launch a new book. Tony Henderson on Bill Wyman's passion for prehistory.
 It can safely be said that not everyone has wandered with a former Rolling Stone over one of the best of Northumberland's prehistoric landscapes. Eight years ago I talked to Bill Wyman at Lordenshaws Iron Age hillfort overlooking the Coquet Valley. His passion for archaeology was apparent as he launched an English Heritage national survey of prehistoric rock art at Lordenshaws. The veteran bassist said: "Prehistoric rock art is an amalgamation of my two great passions, archaeology and art." As he inspected one of the carved sandstone rocks at Lordenshaws, which has a Bronze Age cairnfield cemetery, an Iron Age hillfort from around 350BC and the remains of a medieval deer park, Bill said: "I've been interested in archaeology since I was at school. I read a lot about ancient cultures and I think the whole thing is fascinating. "I think it is vital that these rock carvings are recorded and preserved. I think they could have a religious meaning. Ancient people spent a lot of time and effort producing something which was important to them and I don't think we should ignore it." Yesterday Bill was back in the North-East to launch Treasure Islands: Britain's History Uncovered, a book he has co-authored with Richard Havers. Bill was at the Hancock Museum in Newcastle where he also took in the current Buried Treasure exhibition, which features some of the most spectacular finds to be uncovered in Britain. Several of the hoards were discovered by metal detectorists - which was of great interest to the ex-Stone. For Bill bought his first metal detector in 1991. He said: "Metal detecting has revitalised my childhood interest in history and has taught me countless new things." He and Richard spent almost 10 years researching the book, which celebrates the treasures found in Britain and what they tell us about our history. The discoveries have been made by professional and amateur archaeologists, as well as accidental finds by ordinary people going about their daily business. * Treasure Islands: Britain's History Uncovered (Sutton Publishing, £25). | 
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