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

There are lots of great opportunities to get stuck into history and archaeology this autumn, whether you’re looking for conferences and lectures or new exhibitions and museum attractions. If you would rather get involved at home, though, there is a wide variety of resources on offer online, from digital collections and virtual heritage site tours to new podcasts, TV shows, and more. Amy Brunskill has put together a selection of some of the options available.
September 29, 2024
This article is from Current Archaeology issue 416


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CONFERENCE

Edinburgh 900 Archaeology Conference

University of Edinburgh, 40 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JX, 12 October, http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/edinburgh-900-archaeology-conference

As part of the official celebrations for Edinburgh’s 900th anniversary, the City of Edinburgh Council Archaeology Service and the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Archaeology present a conference exploring the city’s rich history. Speakers will discuss the results of archaeological fieldwork and scientific research on a wide range of topics, from the Burgh’s foundation in the 12th century, through to the 20th century. The conference is open to anyone with an interest in Edinburgh’s past. Tickets cost £10; pre-booking is essential.

Image: Ralf Steinberger

Chepstow’s Roman River Crossing: Day School

Drill Hall, Chepstow, 19 October, http://www.eventbrite.ie/e/chepstows-roman-river-crossing-day-school-tickets-951305760137  

This Day School presented by Chepstow Archaeological Society will discuss new evidence and dating for the Roman Crossing of the Wye, upstream from Chepstow Castle, and explore these findings in the context of Roman Wales. Lectures from an array of experts will explore the geography of Chepstow, investigations into the old timbers in the Wye, the roads to the Roman crossing, recent cropmark discoveries in south-east Wales, and more. Tickets cost £10 and include light refreshments.

LECTURE

Wood Quay and the Viking World

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Dublin, Multiple dates in October, http://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2024/Oct-Dec/Wood-Quay-Lectures-2024-Wood-Quay-and-the-Viking-W   

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology presents a series of five events to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of investigations at one of the largest urban excavation sites in Europe: at Wood Quay, Dublin (see CA 328). Experts will explore the archaeological work at Wood Quay, and the Viking world that led to the creation of the site, as well as its legacy for those who worked on the excavations and for archaeology in Ireland more broadly. These events are in-person only; tickets are free, but must be booked in advance. 

Housing the Future Dead: the new British wave of long-barrow construction

Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB, 29 October, http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pitt-rivers-2024-housing-the-future-dead-tickets-976049017887

This year’s annual Pitt Rivers Lecture will be presented by Dr Kenny Brophy (University of Glasgow) and will explore the recent trend of neo-Neolithic barrows being created across the UK. In this lecture, Dr Brophy will discuss this new phase of barrow-construction and examine to what extent these monuments and associated practices are inspired by Neolithic monuments, and why the barrow is such a resilient concept. This free public lecture will be delivered live at Bournemouth University and will also be available via Zoom. 

HERITAGE SITE

Natural History Museum Gardens

Natural History Museum, London, Permanent, http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/galleries-and-museum-map/our-gardens.html

The Natural History Museum’s new gardens are open now. Discover how life on Earth has changed over time, from the days of the dinosaurs through to today, as you move through this new space. Along the way, feel ancient fossils, spot a grazing Hypsilophodon, and tread among the footprints of your oldest human ancestors. Then leave the past behind as you step into the present day and explore grassland, wetland, and woodland habitats, experiencing how nature can thrive in urban spaces. Entry to the gardens is free, no ticket required.

HERITAGE FROM HOME

VIRTUAL VISITS

• National Museum of China

https://en.chnmuseum.cn/collections_577

Discover some of the highlights in the collections of the National Museum of China, which span thousands of years of the country’s history, or take a virtual tour of a past exhibition.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Ohm Raumzeit

• Newry and Mourne and Down County Museums, UK

http://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/collections

Explore the expansive collections of the Down County Museum and the Newry and Mourne Museum on the new NMD Museums website to find out more about the area’s rich cultural history.

• Umayyad Mosque, Syria 

https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/visit-the-umayyad-mosque-in-damascus-in-360-degrees/HAFtYEyD2EvZaw

Take a virtual tour of the 8th-century Umayyad Mosque with this 360° video, combining digital 3D models with archival materials and music.

• Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

http://www.p4panorama.com/panos/sigiriya-srilanka-360-degree-virtual-reality-tour

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ‘Lion Rock’, an ancient rock fortress complex encompassing the remains of a ruined 5th-century palace surrounded by gardens and fortifications.

FAMILY FUN

• D-Day: The Unheard Tapes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001zg8f

In this three-part series, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France is relived through powerful eye-witness recordings, brought to life by actors in period dress. 

• Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/suranne-jones-investigating-witch-trials

Suranne Jones investigates some of the most infamous witch trials in history, exploring why so many women were accused of witchcraft and what their story means today. 

• Viking Resources

http://www.learning.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/viking-resources

Discover a selection of downloadable Viking-themed resources from York Archaeology, including word searches, games, craft instructions, activities, and colouring sheets. 

• Uncovering Loyalties

http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/uncovering-loyalties 

Try your hand at this game from Colonial Williamsburg, which puts players at the centre of the action in pre-revolutionary Virginia, encouraging them to explore the city and ask questions to learn more about this period of history. 

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Sebastian Hirsch

• Historical games

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk

Test your historical knowledge on a variety of subjects, from ancient Greece to the Treaty of Versailles, with a series of interactive and educational games.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Hidden Venice 

http://www.historycityapps.org/hidden-venice 

Choose from three story trails on the Hidden Venice app to discover buildings, bridges, and churches around the city by following an interactive version of Ludovico Ughi’s 1729 map. 

Virtual Malta

http://www.virtualmalta.com

Explore cultural and historical sites across central Malta with a selection of 360° virtual tours created for this online platform as part of a five-year project led by the country’s Eastern Regional Council. 

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Jadebono

• The Time Team Podcast

https://podfollow.com/time-team/view 

Hosted by Dr Helen Geake and Martyn Williams – with the help of the Time Team family – this new podcast offers listeners fresh insights into the world of archaeology. 

• Teach with Historic Royal Palaces

http://www.youtube.com/@TeachwithHistoricRoyalPalaces

Discover a wealth of short, dramatised videos that bring to life historical stories and events from the Royal Palaces on this HRP YouTube channel, intended to support students and teachers.

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