Canterbury Young Archaeologists

Canterbury Young Archaeologists’ Club

In 2009 Canterbury Young Archaeologists’ Club (CYAC) was able to run a varied programme of meetings, despite leaders work commitments and an aging YAC membership! We started the New Year by reconstructing mini Iron Age roundhouses. This activity was inspired by the YAC Leader’s weekend at Buster Ancient Farm the previous summer. The Jubilee Hall on Wincheap, where CYAC usually meets, was taken over with straw, birch and MDF, with some very inventive houses constructed as a result.

At Easter CYAC were visited by expert flintknapper Karl Lee, who guided the group through the process of turning flint into various tools. CYAC has some natural knappers, and only one plaster was needed…for a leader!

The summer saw the CYAC’s out and about. We visited Canterbury Castle in May, where we learnt all about archaeological building recording. The YAC’s used a surveyor’s level, and worked in teams with 30m tapes to measure the Castle’s plan and elevations. In June the group visited Draper’s Mill in Margate to find out how grains are turned into flour at the restored windmill.

By the autumn, we were back indoors, and back to ancient times. We looked in-depth at the processes of mummification. Using a willing YAC to practice on, the leaders extracted the organs for the canopic jars: liver (lamb’s) for Imsety the Human; lungs (wet sponges) for Hapi the baboon; stomach (haggis) for Duamutef the Jackal; and the intestines (chipolatas) for Qebehsenuef the Falcon. The YACs then had a go at mummifying an orange with bi-carb and salt, and bandaging them up. These had to be placed in an airing cupboard, and left to mummify. Must remind them to dig them out…

For Christmas the YACs met at The Roman Museum in Canterbury to learn all about mosaic making, and had a go at creating their own designs.

Canterbury YAC would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the generous financial support from the Kent Archaeological Society for our activities.

Abby Guinness
Branch Leader, Canterbury Young Archaeologists’ Club

CYAC at Drapers Mill

CYAC at Canterbury Castle