Dig for History in Folkestone
In October 2006, Folkestone school children and local residents spent three days at Folkestone Library and Museum finding out about archaeology and the history of their local area in Roman and Anglo-Saxon times.
Two hundred and forty children came from St Mary’s, St Eanswyth’s, Cheriton, St Martin’s and Morehall primary schools and had a lot of fun learning about the past and the work of archaeologists. A few older children also popped in from Grace School - literally next door! They began their visit with a digital presentation from Canterbury Archaeological Trust about the jobs archaeologists do and the kind of evidence we find (bones and poo popular as ever). Each group was very attentive and the children asked some astute and thoughtful questions. They then moved on to a number of ‘stalls’ set up in the museum’s Art Gallery. It was noisy, very busy and we all enjoyed it!
At the Canterbury Archaeological Trust stalls (‘Keeping Toes and Togas Nice and Toasty’ and ‘History is a Load of Old Rubbish’) Andy Linklater (field archaeologist) and I showed them what it was like to live in a Roman house and how we can find out about people by examining modern and ancient rubbish. They heard about the Roman villa at East Cliff and there were lots of hands-on opportunities with finds, models, plastic sandwich boxes and rotting fruit! Dominic Andrews (archaeologist and reconstruction artist) showed the children how he builds an image from archaeological evidence, drawing up some lightening sketches for them at the ‘Picturing the Past’ stall and Andrew Richardson (archaeologist and KCC Finds Liaison Officer) took them into the museum gallery and thrilled them with the skeleton on display from the Dover Hill Anglo-Saxon cemetery. Maurice Worsley, representing the Kent Archaeological Metal Detecting Support Unit (established by the National Council for Metal Detecting), joined the team on the Saturday showing the visiting public how archaeologists and metal detectorists can responsibly work together.
The days were part of ‘Dig for History Weekend’ which also included evening lectures. The programme was organised jointly by Canterbury Christ Church University and Kent Libraries and Archives and was supported by Canterbury Archaeological Trust. It was the first step to building a community archaeology project in Folkestone under the direction of the Folkestone People’s History Centre.
The FPHC is based in Folkestone’s Old High Street and is a joint initiative between Canterbury Christ Church University and the Creative Foundation with the support and involvement of local historians and historical societies, archaeologists, Kent County Council, local schools and colleges. The Centre aims to make history, archaeology and geology accessible to the people of Folkestone and wants to encourage a relationship between academic study of history and popular enthusiasm for the past. Find out more about the FPHC on 01303-850614 and lah16@canterbury.ac.uk.
Marion Green
Education Officer, Canterbury Archaeological Trust
