Learn all about it.
Lovers of history have the chance to get their hands dirty during the summer when the 24th annual Festival of Archaeology, the largest celebration of its kind in the world, takes place from 12th–27th July 2014. There will be over 1,000 events – many of them free – right across the UK, and a huge choice of ways to get involved with history here in the West Midlands.
Coordinated by the UK’s leading archaeology charity, the Council for British Archaeology, and run by over 400 museums and heritage organisations, the Festival gives the public the chance to have a go at digging and recording finds, watch experts at work and find out about the latest discoveries in their area.
The celebrations will be fronted by CBA President Dan Snow who is enthusiastic about the opportunities the Festival gives everyone to experience their past at first hand. “Archaeology gives us a tangible connection with our past, telling us not just about how our prehistoric ancestors lived millions of years ago, but what everyday life was like for our families in the Industrial Revolution or during Britain’s First World War Home Front.
“This summer, I plan to be out and about with my family, enjoying the hundreds of Festival of Archaeology events on offer around the country covering every aspect of our history. Now it’s your chance to dig into the past and have your own archaeology adventure!”
Mike Heyworth Director of the Council for British Archaeology, the leading UK archaeology charity, said: “The Festival gives archaeologists the chance to share their knowledge and expertise with local people. Festival goers can find out what life was like for our ancestors and experience it for themselves.”
Enjoy living history at archaeology days, explore archaeological remains and buildings for a rare glimpse inside working structures from our industrial past, and find out more about recent discoveries in this area with archaeologist-led walks and talks. Always wanted to have a go at archaeology yourself? Local experts can help you and your family to get hands on with a chance to try out archaeology skills and learn from experts.
There are many attractions taking place in the West Midlands, including shooting an English long bow at West Park in Wolverhampton, discovering polished Early Neolithic flint axes at Dorstone Hill in Herefordshire, taking a guided tour of the archaeology of Kenilworth Abbey Ruins in Warwickshire and exploring seven centuries of archaeology with a guided walk to Winnall Mill recently excavated in north Worcestershire. There will also be the chance to hear Dr Mike Pitts talk about the recent archaeological investigations into the body of Richard III in Leicester and the Wars of the Roses at the Ashmolean
Museum in Oxford as well as immersing yourself in living history from medieval encampments to Napoleonic riflemen, and Tudor spinning to the Second World War Home Front at Whittington Castle in Shropshire.
“Each year the Festival of Archaeology allows archaeologists to open their doors and invite people in. The result is a gala of everything that is good about our past”, says archaeologist and former Time Team presenter, Phil Harding .
The Festival kicks off the summer holidays with hundreds of activities to help everyone enjoy archaeology together. You can see what’s on by using the online events search at www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk/whatson
