The Blackden Trust Blackden

Event report

Young people's visit to the Archaeological Dig

Tuesday 25th August 2009

Potwashing finds from the archaeological dig

Potwashing finds from the archaeological dig

A fundamental aim in our education programme is to maintain contact with any student who has attended our courses for as long as that student finds it beneficial.  Every year, we organise a special event for students whose initial experience of the Trust was through a school visit, and who have shown a particular interest in what we do.

This year students and their parents spent an afternoon visiting the archaeological dig.  Students from several schools came and were shown what we were looking for, and what we had discovered.  Some students had first come three years ago, when they were in Year 5 of their primary schools.  For them it was their third visit, whereas for others it was their first.  As they washed some of the pottery finds and discussed what these and other finds could reveal about the past inhabitants of Toad Hall, they all became involved in the research we were doing.

Several students particularly enjoyed seeing the range of skills involved in an archaeological dig: 'I enjoyed watching the archaeologists dig for the lost barn.'  'The hands-on approach and looking at the dig was brilliant. All the history was really interesting.'  'I enjoyed washing the pots and seeing the diggers dig. It was nice to see how the diggers did the whole job: the actual digging, the identifying and the paperwork.'   'I enjoyed looking at the dig sites and being able to see the diggers in action I also enjoyed washing the pots.'  'I enjoyed pot washing and watching the diggers and learning about a long, long time ago.'  'I really enjoyed pot washing as I found an intriguing cup with 'Eaton' on the bottom; the name of the family that lived in Toad Hall.  The cake was heavenly.'  'I liked the pot washing the most, but the labyrinth was great fun too.  Thank you for this beautiful day.'

And the parents appreciated: 'A very interesting afternoon.  Child friendly and informative.  Thank you very much.'

Explaining aims of the archaeological dig

Explaining aims of the archaeological dig

Considering the implications of the trench

Considering the implications of the trench

 

© The Blackden Trust 2009
    Updated: 25/02/2010		 The Blackden Trust is a registered charity no. 1115818