National Archaeology Days around Kent
National Archaeology Days take place in July, and are increasingly popular with each passing year. The event, coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology and its Young Archaeologists Clubs, and supported by English Heritage, aims to inform and enthuse the public about their local heritage and to give them access to information which can be used to further their interest. Sites, museums, archaeology units and amateur groups take part, with a wide variation in the type of events. This year saw over 250 events taking part around Britain, with 8 in Kent. We hear from just some of those in our county.
Director of Dartford District Archaeological Group, Chris Baker, said "It's been very helpful that for the last few years the Dartford Festival dates have coincided with National Archaeology Days. This has allowed us to set up a small excavation. Digging up the Park's within Central Park in Dartford, as part of the Festival. And we've had some great finds - so much so that the public have accused us of planting them the night before! The medieval and Roman pottery that's come out of the ground has been recognized by some visitors as similar to that dug up in their gardens; we talk to them about the archaeology and they have the opportunity to find out more by getting involved in the Dartford District Archaeological Group."
North Downs Young Archaeologists' (YAC) event "Life and Death in Saxon Kent" was held in the Museum of Kent Life at Sandling. TV archaeologist Julian Richards appeared and proved a great draw, despite the wet morning and the Kent County Show only a couple of miles up the road. Julian brought bones and a reconstructed face made for "Meet the Ancestors", and spent the day giving talks on these and the role of archaeology in the media. Re-enactment group Regia Anglorum arrived en masse and set up a living history encampment, whilst YAC supplied entertainment too: Saxon charms from the leechcraft stall, Saxon food and many creative children's activities. An exhibition of 12 local history and archaeology groups, as well as county services such as the Centre for Kentish Studies, provided visitors with information about ways they could participate in exploring the past.
In Bromley, Poverest Road Roman Bath House was open for a "hands on" family fun day. Adrian Green, Curator of Bromley Museum, sees National Archaeology Days as "a very useful opportunity to open the Bath House, which takes booked tours but is not generally open to the public. This is a fantastic chance to show local residents, and those from further afield, the archaeology of the area."
Orpington and District Archaeological Society's displays attracted much interest from older visitors, whilst children enjoyed a mock excavation set up for them.
Extra activities were laid on at Crofton Roman Villa, Orpington, as children entered a competition to draw and label artefacts, each receiving a certificate. Visitors were fascinated by a display of finds and archival material from 3 local Roman sites, previously unseen. Director Brian Philip enthused: "This was another brilliant event and very well supported - children and adults alike enjoyed themselves."
National Archaeology Days are an excellent way of promoting local archaeology to local people. If you would like to hold an event in 2005 get in touch with Jan Cox at the CBA, St Mary's House, 66 Bootham, York YO30 7BZ, 01904 671417 or JanCox@britarch.ac.uk.