PRESS RELEASE: 15/01/16
Calling All Young Archaeologists in Nottingham: Launch of Nottingham Young
Archaeologists’ Club
A new Council for British Archaeology ‘Young Archaeologists’ Club’ (YAC), the only UK-wide club for
young people aged 8-16 interested in archaeology, is being launched in Nottingham. Based at the
University of Nottingham Museum at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, the Young Archaeologists Club is in
partnership with Trent and Peak Archaeology, the Galleries of Justice Museum, the City of Caves and
Helen Bowen the Lapsed Archaeologist blogger. This new club will provide young people in
Nottingham with a fun and exciting opportunity to get a more hands-on experience of archaeology
and history, from the excavation stage, through to the display of artefacts in museums.
Laura Binns, Community Archaeologist for Trent and Peak Archaeology, said “A Young Archaeologists
Club in Nottingham will give young people from the ages of 8 to 16 the chance to get their hands
dirty on real archaeological digs, handle artefacts, and discover more about the history of this
country and the world through fun activities lead by a great team of historians and archaeologists.
We are all looking forward to starting our sessions!”
Meeting once a month, children and young adults will be able to get involved with exciting activities
such as Roman food tasting, Aztec headdress making, castle building, visiting historical and
archaeological sites, handling ancient artefacts and participating in excavations.
Dr Clare Pickersgill, Keeper of the University of Nottingham Museum, added “This great
collaboration really will allow Young Archaeologists in Nottingham to take part in all aspects of
archaeology from excavating to finding out about what happens once the excavation is finished.”
A free taster session will be held on the 23rd January 2016 between 11am and 4pm at the University
of Nottingham Museum, Nottingham Lakeside Arts , where there will be more information about
YAC and the opportunity to sign up to the group. There will be a variety of hands-on activities to take
part in when you drop by. From dressing up as a Roman to exploring ancient hairstyles, trying your
hand at some Roman games to making a Prehistoric pot out of clay, there will be something for
everyone. Budding archaeologists and their guardians can also get up close and personal with the
past by handling genuine archaeological artefacts!
Senior Curator and Archivist at the City of Caves, Bev Baker commented: ‘The feedback we have
received concerning the set-up of this Young Archaeologists’ Club in Nottingham has been very
positive. We are very excited about the taster sessions which will take place on 23 rd January and
look forward to being involved with this pioneering project which links directly to our work at the
City of Caves. We hope it will encourage young people to get involved and have fun. We may well
see some archaeologists of the future emerge from this new initiative!’
Anyone interested in becoming a member of YAC who is unable attend the taster sessions should
contact Sarah Morriss on 0115 7484950 or sarah.morriss@nottingham.ac.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. For interview requests, high resolution images or other information, please contact
Kayleigh or Heather at Nottingham Lakeside Arts.
Heather Murray, Marketing & Communications Assistant,
Kayleigh Chalcroft, Marketing & Communications Officer, 0115 748 4155
0115
951
5797
2. More information about The University of Nottingham Museum at Nottingham Lakeside
Arts, The Galleries of Justice, City of Caves, The Lapsed Archaeologist (Helen Bowen) and
Trent and Peak Archaeology
University of Nottingham Museum, Nottingham Lakeside Arts
The Museum contains a number of archaeological collections that cover a wide period from the
Palaeolithic (250-70,000 years ago) to the post medieval period (200 years ago). The collections are
mainly from Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands but there are also smaller collections
from other countries including Italy, Cyprus, Egypt and South Africa. The Museum offers a variety of
educational programmes for Key Stage 1-5 both in the Museum and in schools and a wide Public
Programme. The Museum was awarded Nottinghamshire Heritage Museum of the Year in 2010 and
Nottinghamshire Heritage Site of the Year 2014.
Egalitarian trust (Galleries of Justice/ City of Caves)
The City of Caves - Tigguo Cobauc (Place of Caves) is owned by Nottingham City Council and
managed by The Egalitarian Trust. It is a complex of man-made caves made possible by the soft
Sherwood Sandstone beneath Nottingham, which allowed hand-carved cellars to be excavated and
used as factories, store rooms, pub cellars, dwellings, and even air raid shelters. Most of the caves
remain in private hands and some have been destroyed over time by various developments. The
city of caves was almost lost forever when the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre was built in the late
1960s. It is now a very popular visitor attraction. The cave network beneath Nottingham has
Ancient Monument Protection.
Recently voted England’s Best Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2014, the Galleries of Justice is n
award winning museum of Crime and Punishment based at Nottingham’s old Courthouse and Gaol.
There are many ways to explore the galleries, with free exhibitions, audio and performance-led tours
plus an on-site café and gift shop. The museum allows children to broaden horizons and explore
unique, stimulating legal heritage environments and learn first-hand about the law and justice
system of past and present
Helen Bowen
Helen is an archaeological blogger and enthusiast who studied archaeology at University and now
wants to help children become more aware of their historical environment. Her social media pages
help to promote various projects happening in the local area, and present the latest stories and
pictures from numerous sites around the world.
Trent & Peak Archaeology
Trent & Peak Archaeology (TPA) is the Nottingham office of the York Archaeological Trust (YAT), a
non-profit making charity focussing on education and research in archaeology. TPA is the East
Midlands’ longest-running professional archaeological unit, who have been involved with a number
of large and local community projects over the last 4 years, involving people of all ages and abilities,
with more in the pipeline. YAT is experienced in delivering educational outreach to children and
adults of all ages and abilities, and is committed to running several award winning heritage
attractions and museums including Jorvik, The Dig, Barley Hall and Micklegate Bar.