Young Archaeologists’ After-School Club
Permanent
Multiple locations
www.yac-uk.org/news/launching-yac-after-school-club
The Council for British Archaeology’s Young Archaeologists’ Club has announced an exciting new way for children from Year 3 up to the end of secondary school to learn about archaeology. YAC After-School will make it possible for teachers and educational professionals to set up their own archaeology clubs within their school setting, with hundreds of activities, session plans, and other resources to help students explore archaeology in a supported learning environment.
EXHIBITIONS
Archaeology through the Lens
Until 30 April 2022
DIG, York
www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/whats-on/photography-exhibition
This new exhibition delves into York Archaeological Trust’s archives and presents a series of pictures from the important excavations that began to uncover York’s Roman past. Looking through the archaeologist’s camera lens, the show explores how photography has changed over the last 50 years, with stories from past and present photographers. Tickets cost £2.50 for adults, with concession prices available. Booking is not required.
Obscurum – Lux: see Segedunum in a different light
22-29 January 2022
Segedunum Roman Fort
https://segedunumromanfort.org.uk/whats-on/obscurum-lux-see-segedunum-in-a-different-light
This temporary art installation in the Roman Gallery at Segedunum offers a unique opportunity to see how different buildings around the fort and some of the artefacts found there would have looked by the light of a candle or an open fire. The display offers a modern interpretation of the importance of light and colour in the Roman world, and gives visitors an opportunity to see the gallery and finds in a new light. Entry to the installation is included in the ticket price for the museum, which is currently £4.95.
EVENT
Docks After Dark
4-25 February 2022
Museum of London Docklands
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/whats-on/docks-after-dark?id=90809
The Museum of London Docklands is offering lantern-lit tours after museum doors close, throughout February. Discover spooky stories about the men, women, and children who lived and worked in the East End, and visit the ‘most haunted’ spots in the 200-year-old building after dark. Minimum age 16. Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £20. Tours last 1hr 30m.
Conference
Roman Army School Conference
25-28 March 2022
St Chad’s College, University of Durham
www.ad43.org.uk/conference.php
We are all familiar with artists’ ‘impressions’ of Hadrian’s Wall, and indeed actual reconstructions, but how many of these are accurate? After all, what is the evidence for them? The Roman Army School has assembled a team of experts to review the evidence and encourage discussion of these fascinating and difficult issues. Local archaeologists Paul Bidwell, David Breeze, Louisa Campbell, Nick Hodgson, and Lawrence Keppie will be joined by Christof Fluegel from Munich and artist Graham Sumner. Come and help influence the next artist’s impression. The lecture space is suitable for social distancing.
Virtual visits
• The Searchable Museum, USA
www.searchablemuseum.com
Discover more about American history through the lens of the African American experience with this new digital platform from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• Collections from Colonial Contexts, Germany
https://ccc.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de
The Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (German Digital Library) has launched a new online portal featuring objects from colonial contexts from 25 museums and institutions in Germany.
• Skara Brae, UK
www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/new-digital-model-of-skara-brae-welcomes-virtual-visitors
Explore this new digital model of Skara Brae, which offers a unique perspective on the famous Neolithic settlement in Orkney. The model provides access to House 7, the best-preserved house at the site, which is not usually open to visitors.
• Ancient Olympia: Common Grounds, Greece
https://olympiacommongrounds.gr/explore
Take a virtual tour of Olympia’s archaeological sites with this new online platform, which allows visitors to explore the area’s ruins and see what they would have looked like in the past.
Learning in Lockdown
• UffiziKids
www.uffizi.it/en/pages/uffizi-kids
The new UffiziKids initiative from the gallery in Florence includes a webpage filled with worksheets, activities, and information to help children explore the collections and make the most of their in-person visits.
• Creswell Crags Online Talks
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ancient-human-occupations-of-britain-tickets-195082235217?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch
Learn more about prehistoric life, archaeology, the Ice Age, and folklore with online talks from the Creswell Crags team and expert guest speakers. The 2022 series begins with a lecture on ‘Ancient Human Occupations of Britain’ by Professor Chris Stringer.
• Greeking Out
www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/greeking-out
Enjoy this podcast from National Geographic, which retells classic ancient Greek myths in an entertaining and accessible style that will appeal to the whole family.
• National Gallery TikTok
www.tiktok.com/@nationalgallerylondon
Find out more about the paintings in the collections of the National Gallery, London, and go behind the scenes with conservators, with these fun and informative short videos on their TikTok account.
For the family
• Hampton Court: behind closed doors
www.channel5.com/show/hampton-court-behind-closed-doors
Follow the teams who care for Hampton Court Palace and its grounds, and enjoy a special Christmas episode looking at gifts from the past and how the festive season is celebrated here today.
• Escape from the Mummy’s Tomb
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/escape-mummys-tomb
Play the role of an explorer who has discovered an ancient Egyptian tomb and collect the objects inside without running into the mummy on the loose, in this game from National Museums Liverpool.
• Walk the Plank
https://schoolhistory.co.uk/games/walk-the-plank/
Test your knowledge on a wide variety of historical subjects, ranging from Roman religion to Weimar Germany, with this online game that lets you nudge your teacher further down the plank with every correct answer.
• Secrets of the Imperial War Museum
www.channel5.com/show/secrets-of-the-imperial-war-museum
Go behind the scenes at all five of the Imperial War Museum’s branches and find out more about the history of some of the objects in their collections in this six-part documentary series.
• Imagining History
www.imagininghistory.co.uk/blog/categories/craft-activities
Find a selection of history-themed crafts and activities, learn about the history of the Christmas wreath and create your own, and have a go at making your own Viking helmet or baking a First World War Trench Cake.
