Learn to 'Dig It!' at the County Museum at Hartlebury Castle
Published Monday, 9th July 2018
The opening of a brand new gallery devoted to Worcestershire's archaeology is being celebrated with a family-friendly archaeology themed activity day on Sunday, 22 July at Worcestershire County Museum
'Dig It!' will run from 11am-4pm and promises to be great family fun with lots of hands on archaeological activities including metal detecting, microscope identification and learning how to use a trowel to dig for finds. Children can also make clay coil pots to take home and follow the new Hartlebury Castle 'explorer trail'.
Visitors are invited to be the first to explore the new archaeology exhibition, On Ancient Tracks, which introduces the story of Worcestershire's early inhabitants using archaeological finds, stunning visuals and handling objects. On Ancient Tracks has been funded by Severn Waste Services and supported by Worcestershire Archaeological Society.
The new exhibition begins over half a million years ago with the earliest evidence of hominids, a different species to modern man, who lived in this area of Britain during the Ice Age. The exhibition explores a fascinating site at Strensham beneath what is now the M5 service station.
The exhibition goes on to explore the story of the Iron Age in Worcestershire and on to conquest as the Roman army, on its way to Wales, passed through Worcestershire in the 40s and 50s AD.
Finally, the medieval period is dominated by the rise of the church with the Cathedral in Worcester at its heart, and also the rise of towns and their marketplaces where the county's agricultural produce was bought and sold.
County Museum Events Officer Pippa Ashmore said: "Dig It will be a fabulous family activity day offering visitors the opportunity to be the first to explore Worcestershire's archaeological story in a brand new display as well as taking part in plenty of fun activities. If you've always wondered what it is like to be an archaeologist, come and get hands on with history and celebrate the opening of the new archaeology gallery."
As well as enjoying Dig It visitors can explore the new developments at Hartlebury Castle including marveling at talking portraits, promenading the Long Gallery and follow in the footsteps of royalty as they stroll around the moat on a new walk revealing the grounds for the very first time.
For more information please call the County Museum at Hartlebury Castle on 01299 250416 or visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk