Archaeology

Archaeology

What is it? 

Archaeology is a way of studying human activity in the past, mainly through analysing discovered materials and objects. It's a very broad subject that uses subjects such as the sciences, history, geography and linguistics to name a few!

What does it involve?

Practicing archaeology can come in many forms so can involve many things, but essentially the activity will include the examination and discussion of objects and materials.

Why do it and what are the benefits?

Archaeology is a great way of getting in touch with history - to examine actual artefacts from past times and understand their origins is a fantastic way of engaging students in historical studies.

What equipment do we need?

As each different archaeological activity will differ, the equipment will change with it. The provider should supply any apparatus needed, but make sure to check beforehand if you are unsure. 

Who is it suitable for?

Archaeology can be adjusted to suit all ages!

Costs?

This will depend on the nature of the archaeological activity - some things can be done for free, but some pursuits will require an expert/access to private grounds etc, and will therefore probably have costs to them.

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Some archaeological activities can involve sensitive/fragile materials, so it's important that the students involved respect instructions.

How do we include?

Archaeology should be an activity all students can get involved with regardless of ability, but if you have concerns make sure to contact the venue directly.

Doing it abroad?

Archaeology can be practiced all over the world, but you may need to look closely to find a venue that can cater for your group in foreign countries.

Main website: 

Visit http://new.archaeologyuk.org for the Council of British Archaeology, and check out individual venue websites for more specific information. 

Venues with this Activity

The Bishop’s Stortford Museum is housed in the original Victorian building which was the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes (1853 – 1902), financier and founder of diamond company De Beers. The museum is a local landmark and receives vistiors from all over the world many of whom come to see the unique collection of artefacts about Rhodes and his life.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) first opened in 1885.  It is housed in a Grade II* listed city centre landmark building. There are over 40 galleries to explore that display art, applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography:

The Beverley Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building which has had a long and fascinating history. Originally purchased by the Beverley town keepers in 1501, it has been in continuous civic use since then. Today it is run as a historic building and community museum but is still used for ceremonial civic occasions.

Made famous by John ‘Iron Mad’ Wilkinson, a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution, the once noisy Bersham Ironworks now nestles quietly in the attractive Clywedog Valley, two miles outside Wrexham in north-east Wales.

School history workshops for KS2 - KS3 pupils.

Central Museum is in the heart of Southend on Sea. Home to collections of local and natural history and archaeology. It has a changing programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Entry to our exhibitions and building is free.

Central Museum houses the collections of local and natural history and archaeology.

The Beecroft Art Gallery is now open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm. Come visit us in our new home in the old Central Library building on Victoria avenue, next to Central Museum.

Engaging Pupils with History and Science

Basing House has a Museum with rooms dedicated to everyday life in the Tudor period and the Civil War as it happened here at the site.

School Visits

Climb to the top of this 1000 year old Norman Castle for stunning panoramic views across Sussex.

The adjoining Barbican House is home to the Museum of Sussex Archaeology and houses local collections from the Stone Age to medieval times. A mini-cinema tells the story of Lewes from prehistoric to Victorian times.

A museum capturing the history of Malmesbury

Malmesbury’s pretty old; archaeological digs have shown there was a Neolithic fort here around 2,500 BC so people have lived here for four and a half thousand years! So Malmesbury may be the oldest town in the country.

It claims as well to be the oldest borough as King Alfred (you know, the king that burnt the cakes) granted a charter to the town in 880 AD.

The Ashmolean Museum is packed full of archaeology and art works from all over the world. Families can discover mummies in ancient Egypt, find coins from ancient Greece, and travel through time to find modern paintings, statues and more.

Housed in a 17th century Grade II listed building, the museum is located close to Ashford town centre and features exhibits associated with Ashford's history.  

In 1285 by a Charter of Edward 1st Ashburton became a Stannary Town - one of four in Devon. 

Tin Mining has played a great part in the development of the town as has the Woollen Industry.

Founded by Poets, Artists and Writers as the Quintessence of the Cultural Lake District

Explore the life of Beatrix Potter one of the most iconic and influential figures of the Lake District at the Armitt Museum.

Arbeia Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne. The excavated remains, stunning reconstructions and finds discovered at the site combine to give a unique insight into life in Roman Britain.

This prominent vantage point and strategic site was quickly recognised by the Normans, who built a huge timber fortress here by 1100 AD. Originally built by Robert de Toeni, (later known as Robert of Stafford), in the Norman period, Stafford Castle has dominated the local skyline for over 900 years. 

Loads of displays on different angles of history, spread across 12 interesting rooms and the garden. Join the Junior Almoners' Club for bonus trails and activities.

The Almonry exhibitions span 12 rooms and pretty much the whole of recorded time for the region, from prehistoric displays to Anglo-Saxon burial treasure, through to textile, horticultural and social history.

Our museum building is the oldest in Honiton with an interesting history. Documents show  a chapel called Allhallows existed here before 1327. From the 16th century the building was used by Allhallows School until 1938 when the school moved to Rousdon. The chancel of the old chapel is now the Murch Gallery which houses many items of local interest. 

Corfham Castle is a mid 12th century motte and bailey fortress but sadly nothing now remains above the ground. In the inner bailey, the low motte has a wide surrounding ditch and the foundations of a shell keep. The large ditched outer bailey is lined with the foundations of a curtain wall and flanking towers.

Two richly carved pieces of a 9th century 'Celtic' cross, with an inscription commemorating Dumgarth, British King of Dumnonia, who drowned in about AD 875.

These two fragments, one of which is known as King Doniert’s Stone, are the only surviving examples of 9th century stone crosses in Cornwall.

A small early Bronze Age stone circle traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday. It is part of a complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor.

Charnwood Museum features a wide range of exhibits reflecting the history, geology, archaeology and industries of Charnwood and the surrounding area. Permanent displays include ‘Coming to Charnwood’, ‘The Natural World of Charnwood’, ‘Living off the Land’ and ‘Earning a Living’.

Among the best preserved ancient villages in the south west, occupied from the Iron Age until late Roman times. It includes the foundations of stone houses, and an intriguing 'fogou' underground passage.

Archaeology

An Iron Age hillfort with impressive ramparts, now surrounded by woodland.

Blackbury Camp, or Castle, is one of many similar sites across southern Britain dating from the period known as the Iron Age (from about 800 BC to the 1st century AD).

In a spectacular cliff-edge position, this unique Bronze Age tomb had a long and complex history as a sacred site.

Among the largest and most complex of Iron Age hillforts in Europe, Maiden Castle’s huge multiple ramparts once protected several hundred residents. Excavations in the 1930s and 1980s revealed the site's 4,000-year history, from a Neolithic causewayed enclosure to a small Roman temple built on the site in the 4th century AD. 

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