Archaeology at Work
Archaeology at Work
by Mrs P. Winzar
On Saturday, 24th September, 1983 over 300 members and friends met at The New Ash Green Middle School near Dartford. From 10.30 a.m. until 5 p.m. they were able to view various archaeological and historical displays, handle exhibits, attend short talks on specialist subjects and above all talk to each other. Although people may have come for information on their own particular interest, to have pottery identified, or to extend their knowledge of churches, there was so much to both see and do that many people found the day was not long enough.
Those in charge of the various displays found that information was a two-way affair with exhibitors learning from their audience. Kent is a large county and it is important that members of the K.A.S. meet together to compare the results of their work.
We wish to thank all those people who helped to make the occasion such a success. It is not possible to mention everybody by name, because there were over fifty participants, but special mention should be made of the contributions by Mr and Mrs P. Ryan on Palaeography, Mrs P. Knowlden on the use of Tithe maps and by the Orpington and District Archaeological Society on various subjects. Mr P. Tester's talk and his guided tour of Ash Church were particularly popular and so too was the talk on Churchyards by Mr D. Harrington. The conducted tour of Scotgrove Medieval site was also much appreciated, thanks to the hard work of Mr R. Cockett and Miss S. Bishop.
Our thanks also go to Mr and Mrs J. Colyer for making such excellent cups of tea all day and to Mr R. Balcombe for welcoming people as they arrived.
If you would like another "Archaeology at Work" in the future, please write to the Editor with suggestions on venues and which of the many facets of archaeology you would like presented. There may be certain items you would like repeated but there is no shortage of new ideas for display. Suggestions received so far include Medieval kilns with pottery and a section on heraldry."