National Archaeology Week 2008: 12th – 20th July
As yet another box office blockbuster celebrates archaeologists as action heroes, the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is looking forward to the biggest and best National Archaeology Week ever. Thousands of budding archaeologists around the country will be getting ready for what promises to be an amazing week of events, excavations and exhibitions.
Characters like Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft have made archaeology sexy and exciting in recent years. Although gunfights, bullwhips and angry Soviets are not part of the plan, a huge programme of events means that record numbers of visitors are expected to get a taste of archaeology during National Archaeology Week 2008.
© Gloucester City Museums, Siriol Collins.
Children digging skeleton in sandpit at Midsummer fayre, Castle Green, NAW 2006
Through encouraging everyone to visit sites of archaeological/historical interest, museums, and heritage and resource centres, to see archaeology in action and to take part in activities on-site, National Archaeology Week aims to get people to take an interest in the historic environment around them, to learn more about what archaeology is about and the archaeology of their area and beyond, and the importance of caring for our heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
Over 450 events will be taking place throughout England and Wales, run by museums, galleries, heritage sites, national park authorities, local councils, universities and archaeological societies. All periods of history – and indeed, prehistory – are covered, with events and activities to immerse and engage participants in many different aspects of archaeology. Finds Liaison Officers from the Portable Antiquities Scheme will be holding over 40 Finds Identification days across England during the week and the Churches Conservation Trust will be holding events at many of their sites. From underwater archaeology on the Isles of Scilly and investigating the Thames foreshore at the Tower of London, to the Romans and Time Team in Leicestershire Archaeology Week and excavations of a 7th-century royal fortress in Northumberland, there will be plenty of events to suit everyone’s tastes!
To help budding archaeologists find their local events, the CBA has launched a new website, www.nationalarchaeologyweek.org.uk, which lists all events including hands-on activities, family fun days, talks, demonstrations and walks taking place between Saturday 12 and Sunday 20 July 2008.
Relating back to CBA’s own goal of ‘archaeology for all’, the CBA aims to enhance the event each year, to encourage more venues to take part, reaching all parts of society, right across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, thereby creating a higher public profile for archaeology and its benefits to the nation’s quality of life. For more information about National Archaeology Week and how to take part in 2009, please contact the CBA at naw@britarch.ac.uk
Sophie Cringle, Council for British Archaeology, June 2008