Learning
News: Visit the Avebury Monuments Teacher's Kit, or find out about work experience with Wessex Archaeology.
“Archaeology is all about people: past, present and future. It opens up the past … It contributes to a sense of place, community, identity and pride, and enhances our appreciation of the environment in which we live – of what is important and why.” Sue Davies, OBE, Chief Executive
Archaeology is exciting. But there is far more to archaeology than digging up treasure and it is the aim of Wessex Archaeology to help people understand how archaeologists help us to understand, protect and record our past.
Wessex Archaeology has a full-time Education Manager – Margaret Bunyard - with a background in teaching, local authority advisory work and museum education. She co-ordinates activities and develops resources for learning both in formal education (schools, colleges, evening classes etc.) and beyond. Recently Gemma Ingason was appointed Education Officer for the Coastal and Marine section.
Activities include heritage events, talks to local societies and colleges, community excavations, practical fieldwork courses, site visits, information displays, visits to schools, work experience placements and the development of education materials.
Gallery
Training Digs
Training opportunities at Wessex Archaeology
Each year, Wessex Archaeology run a Practical Archaeology Course. Explore what has happened in previous years from the links on the right.
Training Digs: Practical Archaeology Training Course at Down Farm, Sixpenny Handley (2004-2008)
For the last five years, Wessex Archaeology has run a series of very successful five day courses at Dr Martin Green’s farm on Cranborne Chase, “one of the most carefully studied areas in western Europe”. The Down Farm landscape includes parts of the Dorset Cursus and Ackling Dyke, Bronze Age barrows and Roman and Iron Age buildings. It is a rich, multi-period site in a wonderful setting.
Archaeological Reports
2004 Report | 2005 Report | 2006 Report | 2007 report
Photos
Here are a selection of photos from the 2008 course:
Training
The course included instruction and practice in site surveying, excavation, recording (the production of both written records and scale drawings) and finds processing.
During the week there were lectures and workshops on environmental sampling, pottery analysis, faunal remains (bones) and surveying techniques.
2004
Dummy2005 Dig Diary Week 1
Day 1
Inside the museum
'Cleaning' the siteThe Practical Archaeology Course for 2005 got under way on Monday 5th of September. After a warm welcome, participants were escorted around the site by Dr Martin Green, the local expert archaeologist. They were shown the sites of previous excavations and given an introduction to the archaeology of Cranborne Chase. The fascinating tour ended at the museum, where everyone had the opportunity to see the many finds from the excavations.
After lunch the real hard work got underway! Participants began the exciting task of ‘cleaning’ the area to be excavated. This meant using hoes, trowels and brooms to literally clean the chalk. As they did so they got their first glimpse of the archaeological deposits that they will soon be excavating. So far they have uncovered a large number of postholes, several of which are almost certainly from buildings.
Day 2
Excavation begins
On-site recordingAfter yesterday’s hard work cleaning the site, participants got their chance to do some real excavation. For most people this meant digging their first posthole. They learnt all about the archaeological techniques of half sectioning. This entails digging out one half of an archaeological feature so that you are left with a section or slice through the middle of it, showing all the different layers of soil. Kevin was the first person to discover any artefacts - sherds of Iron Age pottery. Animal bone and worked flint have also been found.
Some people even got so far as to begin to draw and record their postholes. As if all this wasn’t enough excitement for one day, participants also had an afternoon workshop on ‘Animal bone in archaeology’ led by Stephanie Knight from Wessex Archaeology.
Day 3
Learning archaeological recording
dentifying microscopic plant remainsArchaeological recording was the main task of the day. Once they had excavated their features, course participants began the task of recording what they had dug. This involved learning new skills such as technical drawing, planning, surveying and filling in context sheets. These are all methods used by archaeologists to record as much information as possible. Since any excavation is in fact a form of destruction, it is essential that one form of evidence - the soil/objects in the ground, is replaced by another - the written and illustrated record left for future generations to study.
In the afternoon Chris Stevens, an environmental archaeologist from Wessex Archaeology, led a workshop about geoarchaeological techniques. This included explanations as to how archaeologists are able to recreate entire landscapes and environments from the soil samples they take during excavation.
Day 4
On-site planningWhilst the on-site recording continued apace, there were other activities on offer. Several people spent the morning learning about and processing pottery and other archaeological finds. Some of the finds were those uncovered on-site this week and others were a range of finds from different archaeological sites. This activity allowed participants to see and handle a wider range of artefacts.
Pounding the ore!Participants also took part in some real experimental archaeology, courtesy of archaeo-metallurgist Jake Keene. The aim was to take several kilos of iron ore and charcoal to produce a ‘bloom’ of iron. In order to do this participants pounded up lumps of iron ore and weighed out kilos of charcoal for the furnace. Then they took it in turns to pump the bellows, in order to maintain a constant temperature of 1,500 degrees centigrade.
Jake removes the 'bloom'Experiments like this improve our understanding of the complex processes of prehistoric metal working and make it easy to understand why ancient metal workers might be seen to be performing acts of magic. For Jake this was smelt number 97 and in his words it went “quite well”. The pictures show that when the bloom had been removed from the kiln it was sawn in half to show how much iron was inside.
The finished 'bloom'The iron shows up as a silvery colour. It was never Jake’s intention to work this piece of iron. However, if it was re-heated and beaten several times it would have produced a small bar of iron that could have been forged into an object or a tool, such as a blade.
Day 5
Using the GPS survey equipmentWessex Archaeology’s Survey Officer, Doug Murphy, came out to the site to show how modern GPS survey is used in the field by archaeologists. Course participants were given a chance to use the equipment to survey the archaeological features that they and the others had dug.
Martin Green led a second, longer tour of the surrounding landscape, allowing people to gain a greater understanding of the archaeological heritage of the area.
The afternoon pottery lecture was highly informative. Matt Lievers from Wessex Archaeology brought along a selection of prehistoric and later pottery. Everyone benefitted from the chance to see and handle a wide range of pottery while they listened to Matt.
Congratultions to all of the participants on week one of the course
Listen week one's Archaeocast to see what the participants really thought! (14 mins: mp3, 12.7Mb)
2005 Dig Diary Week 2
Day 1
Post-hole with chalk packingAs excavation continues on site, our knowledge about who built it, how and when, is growing. Several of the post holes that have been excavated revealed post-pipes. These occur where, in the past, a wooden post has been removed from a post hole and the resulting void has filled up with soil. The picture on the left demonstrates this: the dark vertical band is the ‘ghost’ of the post that once stood within the posthole, the lighter soil to either side of the dark patch is the original chalk packing that would have been used to keep the wooden post in place.
Post-hole with flint packingChalk, however, is not the only type of prehistoric post packing to have been used on this site. This picture shows a postpit which was uncovered on site today. You can clearly see the large flint nodules which were used in the same way as the chalk, but probably to support a much larger wooden post. Hopefully further excavation will reveal more about the type of structures or buildings these posts would have formed part of.
Day 2
Iron Age potteryThe most exciting discoveries of the day have been several sherds of pottery. Those shown in the picture are the first pieces of decorated pot uncovered this season. They show the two bands of decoration around what would have been a small bowl. The style of pottery is what is known as ‘All Cannings Cross’ which dates to the Early Iron Age. This confirms our belief that this site was created during the Early to Middle Iron Age (700-100 BC). Slowly but surely we are beginning to piece together the history of the site.
Day 3
Recording in the rain!Despite the rain, excavation and recording has continued. As wet weather makes the features more visible on the chalk, the numerous postholes are beginning to make sense. We have now established that there are at least three more four-post structures to add to the one found last year. These structures are commonly found on prehistoric settlement sites and are thought to have been grain stores. They would have been built as small square huts or sheds supported above ground by posts in order to keep out vermin.
Day 4
Jake explains about the kilnRecording and excavating have continued on site, thankfully under kinder weather conditions. Jake Keene was operating his iron smelting kiln again today. While last week’s results were “quite good” this week’s were “not wonderfully successful”. As you can see from the picture, this smelt produced hardly any useable iron. Jake’s 98 experiments have shown that the consistent production of iron is very difficult. This is useful information in itself and demonstrates the skill of the Iron Age craftsmen.
Day 5
One of the four-post structuresThe post holes are starting to make sense as ancilliary structures. Two large post pits now appear to be the entrance to a roundhouse. This is just north of the roundhouse found last year. Further post-excavation work may well reveal more information. So thank you to all the participants for adding to our knowledge of the site.
Congratultions to all of the participants on week two of the course
Day 6
One of the final site photosAfter the course participants had left, the final stages of the excavation began. These included finishing off the recording and excavating of any archaeological features that were started during the course. Once this task is done, the archive is complete and the maximum amount of information has been extracted. As any course participant will tell you, archaeology is all about the archive since the paper record, together with any finds, is all that remains from an excavation. In fact many people have commented on the similarity between being an archaeologist and working in an office! There are countless registers, forms, records and indexes to be filled in, checked and cross-referenced. Then final photographs of the excavated site were taken.
Backfilling the archaeological featuresLast of all, the task of backfilling, the cause of many an aching muscle. All the excavated features were refilled with soil. Those such as the ditch and quarry hollow, which may be continued next year, have been lined with a special fabric to help protect them, and to prevent any cross contamination from the soil of the back-fill.
Listen week two's Archaeocast to see what the participants really thought! (20 mins: mp3, 18.7Mb)
2006
Dummy2007
dummySchools
Archaeology can make a very real contribution to learning in the classroom.
In history it provides an excellent context for practising the skills of historical enquiry. Through handling and examining artefacts pupils can learn to consider evidence critically; asking questions, testing assumptions and drawing their own conclusions. Archaeology can also add value and interest to local history studies.
Archaeology can enhance learning in other areas of the curriculum too. The skills of scientific enquiry are closely related to those of history; for example using information drawn from observation and measurement, asking questions and deciding on the best ways to find out the answers, and evaluating evidence.
Literacy can benefit too. A mysterious object can provide the stimulus for children to want to do their own research in books and on the internet. Identifying and cataloguing objects can give a good reason for writing reports, making notes, presenting a point of view, practising impersonal writing and developing an argument logically. Most important of all, perhaps, the wonder of holding something that was used by a real person long ago can stimulate excellent creative writing.
In mathematics recording the position of artifacts or features on a site gives a relevant context for practising the use of plans, co-ordinates and scale, while processing finds gives opportunities for using data handling tools.
Using maps and plans contributes to learning in geography as well, while the study of an area from the earliest times helps in the study of settlement patterns.
Archaeology can help in citizenship too. Thinking about how and why we might want to search out and protect our shared past encourages a sense of roots and responsibility while learning about the beliefs and spiritual life of other societies can help children respect the faiths and principles of others.
Archaeology is a cross-curricula subject which can do as much to enhance learning as it can to excite curiosity and interest.
Key Stage 1 & 2
Handling genuine historical objects is a great way of making a real connection with the past. It’s exciting, it prompts questions, it makes you think. It’s important that pupils have this experience of interpreting the past but it’s not easy to give them the opportunities to do so. Museums are the obvious places to go, but the cost and the difficulties or organising a visit limit the number of times this can be done.
At Wessex Archaeology working with finds and using them to interpret the past is our job. We can visit your school and run workshops using real artifacts, replicas and costumes suited to the period your class is studying. We offer workshops to support history study units on local history, the Egyptians, Romans, Saxons, Tudors and Victorians. Our visits can support work in literacy, numeracy and citizenship as well as history.
We also support schools in more ambitious history topics, helping with preparatory work in school and supporting learning on a site visit.
As a charity Wessex Archaeology is able to make school visits FREE to schools within a 50 mile radius of Salisbury. A contribution to the cost of travel is appreciated. Advance booking is essential.
For more details or to book a visit, please contact Margaret Bunyard, MA, PGCE Education Manager:
Telephone: 01722 343414 or e mail: m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
Key Stage 3 & 4
Because archaeology is inherently exciting it can be a good way of enthusing or rekindling interest in a history topic.
Objects are an excellent tool for learning about the past, firing the imagination and provoking research. But it can be difficult to provide pupils with opportunities to handle them.
At Wessex Archaeology working with finds and using them to interpret the past is our job, but we are also a charity which aims to promote education in arts and heritage through archaeology. We can visit your school and run workshops tailored to the age of your pupils and the period they are studying.
We also support schools in more ambitious history topics like history days and we can help support learning for a site visit.
As a charity Wessex Archaeology is able to make school visits FREE to schools within a 50 mile radius of Salisbury. A contribution to the cost of travel is appreciated. Advance booking is essential.
We also take a limited number of work experience pupils each year. We welcome pupils who show the initiative to contact us directly and in good time.
For more details or to book a visit, please contact Margaret Bunyard, MA, PGCE Education Manager:
Telephone: 01722 343414 or e mail:m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
St Osmund's School Dig
In 2008 Wessex Archaeology helped Year 4 pupils from St Osmund’s Primary School to excavate a small trench on their playing field.
The school is just outside the walls of Salisbury Cathedral Close, close to the heart of the medieval town. In the Victorian period the school was a convent and home to a group of nuns who looked after poor and abandoned children.
Year 4 pupils from St Osmund’s Primary School excavating a small trench on their playing field
The children dug enthusiastically, despite appalling weather. Their earliest finds were bits of medieval brick and tile and a piece of a medieval pottery.
Sherds of medieval brick and tile and a piece of a medieval pottery
The Victorian finds like slate pencils, marbles and a thimble, were particularly interesting to the young excavators because they were once used by children like themselves.
The metal U shape is from the heel of a child’s boot. The other metal object is a button hook.
Two Victorian marbles were found during the excavation. One is made of blue glass and the other once sealed the neck of a fizzy drink bottle. Children would smash the empty bottles to get the ‘marble’ out.
Victorian blue glass "marble".
The children found modern items like pieces of electrical wiring and bits of a credit card. The one they liked best was a small china hippopotamus!
Wade hippopotamus
After the excavation the children researched their objects and presented their findings to the rest of the class . Their discoveries will be a valuable, lasting resource for future pupils learning about their local history.
Community
"Wessex Archaeology’s role is to investigate the past and make it relevant, interesting and important to all stakeholders – to provide access to the past for the public” Sue Davies, OBE, Chief Executive
Britain is very rich in archaeology so new developments can pose a threat to our buried heritage. But they can also be an opportunity to find out more about our past. Since the 1990s local authority planning departments have required developers to pay for archaeologists to assess their site, to record what is there, to advise them as to how buried features might be protected, and if this is not possible, to excavate and record them.
Sometimes the job must be done very quickly but when the site is safe and accessible and the client gives permission, Wessex Archaeology arranges open days, information panels and leaflets so that local residents can see work in progress and find out what has been discovered from the investigation.
For every project a report is written for the client who commissioned the work and the county archaeologist. Copies of these reports are lodged with the relevant county Sites and Monuments Records and so they are accessible to the public.
When the discoveries warrant it, the information is published. Often it appears as an article in a professional journal and in magazines like British Archaeology and Current Archaeology. Information also appears in the press and media, and of course, on the pages of this web site.
Our archaeologists are pleased to be asked to give talks about the sites they have excavated. They give lectures to local societies, students and other professionals.
To book a lecture for your local society, please contact:
Margaret Bunyard, Education Manager, Wessex Archaeology, Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, SP4 6EB.
Telephone: 01722 343414 or email m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
Pan Summer Excavation 2007
In the summer of 2007, The Pan Neighbourhood Committee asked Wessex Archaeology to organise a small archaeological dig at Pan, Newport, Isle of Wight. The aim was both to give children from Pan something exciting to do and to encourage their interest in local history.
Local residents suggested the site. They could remember finding things on this 19th/20th century rubbish dump when they were children.
Volunteers digging the site at Pan, Isle of Wight
Every day about ten children came along for a morning or afternoon and everyday there was a blog about their activities on the Wessex Archaeology website.
They found lots of pieces of coloured glass, animal bones, pottery, and even a polished bone toothbrush labelled ‘The Economist'.
A polished bone toothbrush labelled ‘The Economist'
Over 15 Victorian and Edwardian bottles were found, which once held ink, blacking, lemonade, perfume, or ginger beer. One bottle in particular had contained medicine - with an expiry date of 1906!
Over 15 Victorian and Edwardian bottles were found
The children washed and recorded the finds which they had recovered and once the dig was finished the results of their hard work went on display at the Isobel Centre, Pan.
Children excavating their trench
The exhibition at the Isobel Centre, Pan.
Exhibitions
At Wessex Archaeology as part of our commitment to public learning we produce exhibition material for many of our more long-term projects. On this web page you can view the display panels from several of our most recent exhibitions.
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Beddington (London) A prehistoric landscape and Medieval field systems. |
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Blenheim (Oxon) Archaeologists trace back 6,000 years of the estate's history. |
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Bridgwater (Somerset) |
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Cambourne (Cambs) |
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Dorset Coast Historic Environment Survey Protecting and recording important sites and mapping coastal change. |
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Fascinating Flint |
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Forbury Gardens (Reading) |
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GIS in Archaeology |
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Holywells Park (Suffolk) |
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Jewry Street (Hants) |
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Lydiard Park (Wilts) |
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Marine Aggregates |
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Ramsgate (Kent) – Cliffs End Farm |
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Seascapes |
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Testwood Lakes (Hants) |
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Wreck in the Thames |
Resources Page
Keep an eye out for new resources you can download.
Get Macromedia Flash PlayerTo play games online, you will need the Macromedia Flash Player. For help downloading and installing it, the BBC's WebWise tutorial is very helpful.
Quick tip!
The Wessex Archaeology Gallery is a quick and easy way to find images to use on your class whiteboard.
The Avebury Monuments Teacher's Kit
The Avebury Monuments Teacher's Kit will help schoolchildren heading for Avebury and the surrounding monuments make the most of their trip to the World Heritage Site. It is a downloadable resource for teachers of Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils. As well as information sheets for teachers there are on-site investigation sheets, puzzles, maps, treasure hunts and other games and activities to help pupils to learn about the history of these historical sites in an entertaining and engaging way.
How do heritage sites inform us about our local area in prehistoric times? (Years 3/4)
This is an adapted unit on the Innovating with History site which complements QCA/DfES history scheme of work Unit 18: What was it like to live here in the past? It has been produced and piloted in partnership with English Heritage and local schools.
Download the Scheme of Work (PDF, 74KB)
Teachers’ Notes for Activities 1-9 (PDF, 160KB):
1)Play the archaeologist game online! Or simply download and print out the activity sheet (PDF, 1.6MB) |
2) Skeleton game (PDF, 804KB) |
3) Dustbin game (572KB) |
4) Time line (PDF, 2.8MB) |
5) Bronze Age picture (PDF, 344KB) |
6) Match the Monument (PDF, 1.7MB) |
7) What did I look like? (PDF, 1.4MB) |
8) What am I? (PDF, 1.3MB) |
(PDF, 1.7MB) |
Other Activities and Games
Can you help archaeologists to match the broken pieces of pot together? Click the graphic on the left to play online (requires Flash).
Download "Match the Pot Sherds" to your computer to play offline (for Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP)
Flint
Learn about flint tools and flint knapping in our Flint activity sheet (PDF 2.7MB)
Decorate a pot
The Amesbury Archer was buried with 3 pots, archaeologists call them Bronze Age Beakers. Print out your own Beaker (PDF, 30KB), then choose the patterns you like the best to decorate it.
Make your own prehistoric landscape
Learn about prehistoric landscapes. What animals would have roamed the landscape at the time of Swanscombe Woman, some 400,000 years ago? Play the game to discover the answers.
An extract from a reconstuction of medieval Windsor by Liz James.
Digger
Make your own prehistoric landscape
Can you place the correct prehistoric animals into the Swanscombe landscape of 400,000 years ago? To save your picture, click the "Print Scrn" button (PC) or Command-Shift-F3 (Mac), load your word processor software (such as Word) and click "Edit" then "Paste". You can then save it or print it out.
Learning Outside the Classroom
Wessex Archaeology is delighted to support the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, which was launched by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on 28 November 2006.
The Manifesto is a ‘movement’ or joint undertaking that many different stakeholders have helped to create and to which anyone can sign up. We support the Manifesto because we believe it will help to ensure that all children and young people have a variety of high quality experiences outside the classroom environment, as an essential part of their learning and development.
Wessex Archaeology recognises the value of Learning Outside the Classroom and supports the Manifesto’s vision and aims. We have therefore already endorsed the Manifesto along with over 330 other organisations, schools and individuals by becoming a signatory.
We will therefore be offering our support and working with schools, local authorities and the many other organisations committed to providing an exciting range of teaching and learning opportunities outside the classroom.
To find out more, get details of all signatories and pledges received so far, and to order or download a copy of the Manifesto, visit: www.teachernet.gov.uk/learningoutsidetheclassroom
Contact Us
If you would like to find out more about what we do – or see if we can do something for you – please contact:
Margaret Bunyard, Education Manager, Wessex Archaeology, Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, SP4 6EB.
Telephone: 01722 343414 or e mail: m.bunyard@wessexarch.co.uk
Learning Links
http://www.yac-southwilts.org.uk/ South Wiltshire Young Archaeologists' Club.
Training opportunities at Wessex Archaeology Website for the Practical Archaeology Courses run by Wessex Archaeology since 2004. The site includes photos, videos and podcasts of the courses.
http://www.archaeology.co.uk/ The Current Archaeology web-site has an education section which gives guidance on careers in archaeology and advice about how to get involved.
http://www.archaeologydirectory.co.uk/ A list of archaeological trusts and societies in Britain.
Heritage Explorer New website with over 360,000 images, plus teaching activities, interactives and whiteboard resources. Images are grouped into cross-curricular themes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/ BBC History, Archaeology programmes, plus games and quizzes are featured on this large and colourful site.
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/educate.html The website of the Council for British Archaeology, is the first stop for information on the subject. Their online fact sheets are a ready source of information on courses, qualifications and careers in archaeology.
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/yac/ The Young Archaeologists Club has 69 branches across the country. Their website is a mine of information written for the younger browser.
http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/ Canterbury Archaeological Trust has an excellent Education section with a wealth of information and suggested activities linked to the National Curriculum. It is part of the National Grid for Learning.
http://www.channel4.com/history/ The Channel 4 web-site features Time Team and recent archaeology programmes, with plenty of background and further information, including guidance on distance learning courses.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ English Heritage have a well established education department and produce a selection of useful resources for teachers.
http://www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/ A very good way of finding out more about the Vikings. Look particularly for the ‘Artefacts Alive’ pages of the resources section in the Archaeological Resources Centre.
http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm This on-line encyclopedia of Roman emperors is a very useful reference tool. It also has a catalogue of Roman coins.
http://www.roman-britain.org/ A useful resource on the settlements and tribes of Roman Britain.
http://www.arch-ant.bham.ac.uk/shottonproject/default.htm The Shotton Project: The Shotton Project is an exploration of the Ice Age landscapes of the English Midlands and the early humans who occupied them from more than half a million years ago.
http://www.sussexpast.co.uk/ A large site with useful links and helpful information for teachers and students as well as the general public.
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/ Offers links to many other sites of interest to teachers.
Show Me Show.me.uk is the children's section of a website called the 24 Hour Museum.
http://www.ukarchaeology.org.uk/ An independent list of volunteer projects, courses and work experience in the UK and Ireland related to Archaeology.
YAC South Wilts
DummyTeacher's Packs
These teacher’s packs contain activities and suggestions to complement the teaching of local history, Tudor seafaring and WW2 at KS2 and KS3. They were developed from the HLF-funded Time Travelling by Water Project as part of the project legacy and are free for you to use. Each pack contains everything you need to begin work and extra copies of all of the resources can be downloaded from the Time Travelling by Water website.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Local History Teacher’s Pack (PDF) | 3.06 MB |
| Tudor Seafaring Teacher’s Pack (PDF) | 2.15 MB |
| WW2 Aircraft Teacher’s Pack (PDF) | 1.02 MB |