All about Archaeology
Go behind-the-scenes to discover the detailed work carried out by archaeologists in the latest family-friendly exhibition at City Space in the Discovery Centre, which opens on Saturday 5 February.
Find out what happens before an excavation, what goes on during a dig to record what is found, how artefacts are cleaned and conserved, recorded and identified, and then studied to interpret the stories of people’s lives in times past.
You will see many artefacts excavated during recent digs in the city, displayed in City Space for the first time, and a photographic record of decades of archaeological work in Winchester.
You can also try your hand at a range of activities to get some idea of the various jobs carried out by archaeologists. Have a go at sorting real archaeological finds and search for tiny environmental remains with tweezers and a magnifying glass. Draw a plan of a skeleton, identify pottery fragments and try to interpret a “Geophys” plot.
Cllr Dominic Hiscock, Portfolio Holder for Economic Prosperity at Winchester City Council said, “The team at Winchester Museums has produced an in-house exhibition which will appeal to visitors of all ages. I am particularly looking forward to seeing some of the fascinating objects brought out of store especially for this display.”
Robin Iles, Education Officer at Winchester City Council’s Museums Service said, “Come along and see if you’ve got what it takes to become the next ‘Indiana Jones’. Archaeology is open at weekends, after school until 6pm and during February half-term, so there is plenty of time for families to visit and enjoy exploring the exhibition”.
Archaeology runs at City Space in the Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester from 5 February to 6 March. Admission is free. There will also be a number of special event days to accompany this exhibition, see the Discovery Centre website for more details.