Archaeology Scotland
Workshops and Equipment
Archaeology Scotland has developed a number of interactive workshops and
activities primarily to enhance our outreach work, running archaeological
workshops at public events throughout Scotland, but also to provide learning
resources for the Young Archaeologists’ Club, local societies and for schools.
The kits have been tried and tested at large-scale events such as the
Edinburgh International Science Festival, and in smaller environments such as
classroom work with mainstream and special schools, and with branches of
the Young Archaeologists’ Club.
The ever-popular dig box with some budding excavators!
Ancient Technology
This workshop comprises a series of activities that replicate different ancient technology
techniques of the past. It looks at the origins of engineering, communication and textiles,
with the emphasis on hands-on participation. There are 5 elements to the workshop:
drilling, grinding, writing, fire-making and textiles. It is possible to borrow the whole
workshop or individual sections. The equipment for each section comes in a carry crate,
with heavier/bulkier equipment separate. Instruction cards for each activity are also
included.
Contents:
Wood and stone drilling
• wood drilling with bow drills – equipment includes bows,
drilling pieces, braces, stamps and ink pads, and instruction
cards
• stone drilling with bow drills – equipment includes bows,
drilling pieces, stone/slate, braces, real examples of stone
artefacts and instruction cards
Ancient Writing
• Cuneiform – equipment includes boards for
cutting, plastic tools, styli, instruction cards
and alphabet cards
• Roman – equipment includes replica wax
tablets, wooden and metal styli, instruction
cards and alphabet cards
• Ogham & Runes – equipment includes a
replica Pictish stone, instruction cards and
alphabets
• Quill Pens – equipment includes cut & uncut
quills, trays, ink stands, pen holders, sand shaker, extra ink bottles, example
illuminated letter cards and instruction cards
Textiles
• spinning– equipment includes drop spindles, fleece, carders, instruction cards
• bobbin winding – equipment includes a metal frame (2 scaffolding poles and a stand),
bobbins, and instruction cards
• weaving - rigid heddles for weaving, tablets for weaving
Grinding
•
grinding using querns– equipment includes a saddle quern and a rotary quern,
brushes, funnels, scoops, mats, and instruction cards
Fire making
•
making fire through wood friction – equipment includes bows, wooden shafts,
bearings, hearths,
Borrowers are required to supply:
Drilling
•
Wooden squares for drilling into pendants – 43mm x 50mm
Ancient Writing
•
Air-drying clay to make clay tags
•
Paper, pens/pencils
•
Quink ink
Textiles
•
Raw wool if possible (obtainable through the British Wool Marketing Board or via
Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers) We can provide a small amount
•
Coloured wool
Grinding
•
wheat grain for grinding (available from health food shops or local farmer)
•
Small finds bags/alternative to put flour in for
children to take away - optional
The Work of an Archaeologist
This workshop looks at the ways in which archaeologists find out about the past. The
workshop is ‘hands-on’ with opportunity to replicate many of the techniques an
archaeologist uses to recover and investigate evidence. There are 6 elements to the
workshop including a ‘dig box’. It is possible to borrow the whole workshop or individual
sections. The equipment for each section comes in a carry crate, with heavier/bulkier
equipment separate. Instruction cards for each activity are also included.
Contents:
Excavation
the simulated dig - equipment includes a 1 metre square fibreglass dig box, wheelbarrow,
sieves, trowels, brushes, shovels, buckets, finds bags, artefacts, hazard tape, finds
recording sheets and clipboard
Pre excavation activity
• aerial photographs – includes air photographs, overlays, pens and instruction cards
Post excavation activities
• pottery sorting – includes real pottery sherds, trays and instruction cards
• making sense of the evidence – includes real artefacts,
trays, instruction cards
• environmental sorting – includes bag of real
environmental material, tweezers, trays, sorting dishes
and instruction cards
Borrowers are required to supply:
•
•
Sand for the dig box – this should be clean playpit sand. The box requires a
minimum of between 5 and 6 25kg bags.
Pens and pencils
Artefact Investigation Kits
Archaeology Scotland also manages a teaching collection of artefacts on behalf of the
National Museums of Scotland. This comprises original artefacts ranging from Neolithic
pottery, stone tools and arrowheads, to bronze weapons, Roman nails and tiles, and
Mediaeval pottery. Two loans kits are available – Roman Scotland and Fanatastic
flint. Coming soon...Iron-Age Scotland
Procedure and conditions for borrowing equipment
Borrowers should phone the Archaeology Scotland’s office in advance to find out
availability and to make arrangements for the collection and return of the equipment.
Usually, at least 1 month’s notice is required to borrow equipment.
Borrowers should collect and return the equipment themselves from the Archaeology
Scotland offices in Edinburgh.
Borrowers are required to fill in a loan sheet before taking away any equipment, and are
responsible for the return of the equipment in good condition. Any breakages or losses
must be paid for.
Borrowers should allow sufficient time to go through the equipment being borrowed with
an Archaeology Scotland member of staff when both collecting and returning equipment.
The cost of borrowing a workshop in its entirety is £50 for up to 2 weeks. Individual
activities are charged at a percentage cost. The artefact Investigation kits are £25 for up
to 2 weeks.
Please note: there is no borrowing charge for YAC branches or Archaeology Scotland
member societies.
Each workshop comes with all the equipment needed to run the activities, along with
instruction cards and guidelines on setting up and running the activities.
Borrowers should provide the perishable materials required for each workshop.
Contact Details
Meg Faragher; Education Officer
Archaeology Scotland
Causewayside House
160 Causewayside
Edinburgh
EH9 1PR
Tel.: 0131 668 4189
Email: info@scottisharchaeology.org.uk
Website: www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk