Current Archaeology’s January Listings: exhibitions, events, and heritage from home

There is a great range of opportunities to get involved in history, heritage, and archaeology this year, with new exhibitions, lectures, activities, and more coming up over the next few months. Or, if you would prefer to get your history fix from the comfort of your home, there are plenty of ways to do so, from virtual tours of museums and heritage sites to recently digitised resources and new radio and TV shows. Amy Brunskill has put together a summary of some of the latest options.
January 4, 2024
This article is from Current Archaeology issue 407


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EVENT

JORVIK Viking Festival

York, 12-18 February, http://www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk

The Vikings will be staging their annual invasion of the city of York in February. A variety of events will be on offer, including ‘The Viking Banquet: Love and Blunder’ on Valentine’s Day, with sagas on the theme of Viking romance; the ‘Viking Games’, where the skills, strength, cunning, and wisdom of competitors will be put to the test, culminating in a battle spectacular featuring hundreds of warriors; and the ‘Festival Finale’, which this year will explore the Realms of Yggdrasil. There will also be a host of other paid and free events taking place around the city. Check the website for details and to book your tickets.

Image: Charlotte Graham/JORVIK Viking Festival

EXHIBITION

The Indian Army at the Palace

Hampton Court Palace, Until 29 September, http://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/the-indian-army-at-the-palace

This new exhibition explores the forgotten story of soldiers from the Indian Army who camped at Hampton Court Palace on a number of occasions in the early 20th century, including during the coronation celebrations of Edward VII, George V, and George VI, as well as for the World War I peace parades. The Indian Army at the Palace presents previously unseen objects, photographs, films, and stories to bring to life the experiences of those within the camps and reactions of the press and the public. Entry is included in palace admission (free for members).

The Cult of Beauty

Wellcome Collection, London, Until 28 April, http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/ZJ1zCxAAACMAczPA

The Wellcome Collection’s latest exhibition explores ideas about beauty across time and cultures, and discusses the driving forces that lead us to believe in a myth of universal beauty, despite its evolving nature. Featuring historical objects and artworks, as well as more recent items, films, and new commissions, the show examines the influence of morality, status, health, age, race, and gender on the evolution of ideas about beauty. Entrance is free and booking is not required. See the website for opening times.

ACTIVITY

DigVentures Archaeology Projects

Multiple locations, Multiple dates in 2024, http://www.digventures.com/calendar 

Sign-up is now open for DigVentures’ 2024 dig season. DigVentures runs crowdfunded excavations at sites across the UK. This year, they will be exploring a Roman villa in the heart of Oxfordshire, a Neolithic monument in the Boyne Valley in Ireland, the lost medieval village of Sudeley in Gloucestershire, and more. DigVentures also offers ‘DigClub’ days for teenagers, and ‘DigCamp’ for children aged 6-12. Places fill up quickly, so book your spot now if you would like to take part in any of these excavations. See the DigVentures website for dates and prices.

LECTURE

Brochs: the Caithness Project and our local brochs 

Rockfield Centre, Hill Street, Oban, PA34 5DE, 10 February , http://www.digitscotland.com/events/brochs-the-caithness-project-and-our-local-brochs 

Lorn Archaeological and Historical Society presents this lecture from Kenneth McElroy, one of the co-founders of the Caithness Broch Project, which is now ten years old. Kenneth will share some of the history of this unique initiative to recreate one of these fascinating structures (see p.10), while giving you greater insight into brochs in the local area. All are welcome. Tickets cost £3 for non-members or are included in £10 annual membership (£15 joint/family). For more information, email Lahsoc@gmail.com or phone 07716 522524.

HERITAGE FROM HOME

VIRTUAL VISITS

Royal Armouries Museum, UK

http://www.royalarmouries.org/leeds/3d-virtual-tour

Enjoy this 3D virtual tour of the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, `walk’ through the galleries while still on your sofa, and discover the national collection of arms and armour.

Kimbell Art Museum, USA

http://www.kimbellart.org/virtual-tours

Take a virtual tour of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas,
and explore the permanent collection of artworks, as well as past
and present exhibitions on a variety of themes. 

Protection of Our Most Holy Lady Church, Owczary, Poland

http://www.swiatynia3d.pl/project/owczary-cerkiew

Explore this 17th-century wooden Orthodox church and UNESCO World Heritage Site, or discover a variety of other religious sites in Poland with resources from the `S¬wiaŒtynia 3D’ project.

Skokloster Castle, Sweden

http://www.skoklostersslott.se/en/visit-us/visit-remotely 

Discover one of Sweden’s National Historical Museums, a baroque castle that has remained untouched for more than 300 years, and explore its collections of art, books, silver, glass, textiles, and furniture.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Pudelek

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Lost and Found: a European literary map of London

http://www.europeanliterarylondon.org

Explore London through the eyes of European writers, artists, and intellectuals over the centuries with this interactive digital map that offers a new way to reflect on the city.

Digital Florentine Codex

https://florentinecodex.getty.edu

The Florentine Codex, an important 16th-century manuscript detailing the culture and history of the Aztec people, is now available to explore online, with new translations and easily searchable texts and images.

Scotland Outdoors

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p02nrtq1

Discover the Scottish landscape with this show from BBC Radio Scotland. Look out for episodes exploring historical subjects like the Ness of Brodgar and archaeology in the Cairngorms.

Image: Geograph, Alan-Findlay

Tasting History with Max Miller

http://www.youtube.com/c/tastinghistory

Find out about the history of food and the food of history with this YouTube channel featuring recreations of recipes from the past and discussions of the contexts in which they developed.

FAMILY FUN

Villages by the Sea

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001s1qv

In Series 4 of Villages by the Sea, Ben Robinson explores the first underwater sea coal shaft in the world, how stone from the village of Beer built the Tower of London, Holkham’s lost medieval village, and much more. 

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Llywelyn2000

Digging Band of Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_RRt6B-dxY

Enjoy a 90-minute Time Team Special in which Sir Tony Robinson returns to join servicemen and women to investigate the US 101st Airborne Division in Britain. Find the full episode on the Time Team Official YouTube channel. 

Julius Caesar: the making of a dictator 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gjlmkv

Follow the rise and fall of Julius Caesar, discovering how he dismantled five centuries of ancient Roman democracy in just 16 years in this new BBC documentary series.

Excavate! Egypt

http://www.dig-itgames.com/portfolio/excavate-egypt-world-history-lesson-game

Develop your excavation skills and your knowledge of ancient Egypt with this online game that gives you a chance to explore Giza, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Alexandria. 

Surrey County Archaeological Unit 

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/archaeology/education/activities-at-home

Download a selection of archaeological things to do at home with these resources from Surrey County Archaeological Unit, including a word search and colouring sheet, as well as instructions for a variety of activities. 

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