'Keep 5 Fingers'
The project from which we developed this package was funded by
The Aggregates Levy Fund and distributed by English Heritage. The
fund is generated from the proceeds of quarrying and is used to
provide resources to support education and research. We are
grateful to the many experts, schools and organisations for their
support and tremendous enthusiasm in completing the project. We
have had a marvellous time and learnt a great deal. We hope you do
too.
The resources included in this pack are designed to develop a
knowledge, interest and enthusiasm for the archaeology of Suffolk's
river valleys. We hope the information will provide you with the
tools to explore this landscape and introduce your students to the
excitement that archaeology brings plus an understanding of one of
the country's lesser known industries.
Suffolk's river valleys are an area full of archaeology from all
periods and this evidence often comes to light during aggregates
extraction in quarriers. At Flixton quarry near Bungay, for
example, excavation in advance of quarrying has revealed an
historic landscape stretching back 6000 years. The site has
produced a Neolithic long barrow, unique in Suffolk; evidence for a
Roman pottery industry in the form of kilns as well as the remains
of an early Saxon village and grave yard. Evidence of our more
recent history comes in the form of a First World War training
ground with practice trenches to 'prepare' young recruits for life
at the front.
The aggregates industry works closely with archaeological teams to
ensure that any remains are excavated and recorded prior to further
quarrying.
This package provides you with some of the evidence gained from
prior to quarrying plus ideas on how you can take evidence and use
it to develop practical activities. We also include several DVD's
which will help you should you decide to embark on some of the more
ambitious projects such as the building of an Iron Age roundhouse
or the constructing and firing of a Roman kiln.
Should you need any advice or help with a project you can contact
our Outreach Officer by email:
duncan.allan@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Film Packages
Quarries: What They Do and Why They Are
Important (8 mins)
This short documentary was filmed at
Flixton Quarry near Bungay and shows the process of extracting
gravel and sand form the Waveney Valley. Two versions are
available. The first is suitable for Years 2-5 and the second
for Years 6 upwards. It will put any work you are doing into
context but can be used as a stand alone resource when
studying landscapes.
Click here to view a short clip of the film
Experimental Archeology Camps (14 mins)
This is a documentary film about a
series of experimental archaeology camps with students from
around Suffolk. These camps were the basis for the development
of the resources. The film is a good watch on its own,
particularly if you are studying Romans and Saxons and as a
valuable introduction to any experimental work you intend to
tackle.
How to Build a Roundhouse (12 mins)
This step by step guide to building
an Iron Age Roundhouse using traditional skills and materials.
Materials and details of suppliers are listed separately as
pdf files along with risk assessments which will allow you to
work safely without removing the hands-on experience for your
students. Also included are archaeological plans and
photographs from various quarries around Suffolk. These plans
allow you to complete preparatory work and working plans for
the reconstruction based upon archaeological evidence.
Click here to view a short clip of the film.
How to Build a Roman Kiln (15 mins)
Another step by step guide that will
give you the practicalities of building and firing a Roman
kiln. Two versions are included:- The first is a 'long
build' which will require a drying period of about two
months before firing. The second is a 'short build' using
bricks instead of clay to line the kiln chamber. This can be
fired upon completion with a build of about two days. We offer
you basic instruction on firing although you may wish to
involve your art department or the service of our Roman kiln
specialist in order to judge firing temperatures as this is
not an exact science and will depend upon your fuel , the
weather and the level of dryness of the kiln. As with the
roundhouse instruction we include pdf files of materials,
suppliers and risk assessments as well as archaeological site
records to use in your preparatory work.
Click here to view a short clip of the
film.
Feedback from Our
Experimental Archaeology Camps 2007 (8mins)
In this DVD we feature feedback from
the students involved in the project. They talk about their
enjoyment, the styles of learning employed and how they have
benefitted from the work. We tried very hard to find some
negative feedback but I am afraid we couldn't!
We feel this feedback might be useful in any professional
development or promotional work you are doing with colleagues.
Click here to view a short clip of the film.
These DVD's are available free of charge from the Suffolk County
Council Archaeology Service, please contact the Education and
Outreach Officer
duncan.allan@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Classroom
Visits
The Archaeological Service offers a
range of practical educational services to schools both within
and outside the classroom. The activities are designed to
excite young people’s imagination and interest in history and
their heritage.
All options are linked
to The National Curriculum and offer the chance to study and
interpret historical evidence from primary sources. The activities
are designed to engage pupils of all abilities and their practical
nature offers the opportunity for pupils to work together, to
discuss and evaluate their thoughts in an informal atmosphere where
each student can work and progress at their own pace.
The activities on offer
are delivered by qualified and experienced teachers with wide
experience in outreach work. Follow the link to view
the
classroom visits that are available from the Suffolk County
Council Archaeological Service.If you wish to book a
classroom visit from the Archaeology Service or would like more
details on the educational activities we can provide please
contact our Education and Outreach Officer
duncan.allan@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
The following activities are
designed to excite children’s interest in their surroundings
and the history around them.
They aim to introduce pupils to the fascination and secrets of the
world and increase their understanding of how the things that
archaeologists find during excavation are clues which add to our
knowledge of how people lived in the past.
The activities focus upon the artefacts (finds) which make up so
much of our information about the past. I like to see a find as
something with a story locked up inside it and it is our job to
unlock the clues and read the story.
Children need to understand that some of the clues to the story may
be lost, perhaps because the artefact is not complete or because
some of the items related to it are missing. It then becomes
necessary to use skills of logic, deduction or even best guess to
try and fill the story. This is an important point as it introduces
to children the idea that the interpretation of history is not an
exact science but one that changes as more evidence becomes
available.
A simple example of this would be the discovery of a small sherd of
pottery belonging to a vessel. If it is a simple piece with no
pattern, no base or rim we can only have a vague idea of its former
purpose. We could surmise from the evidence that the vessel was
round (from the curvature of the sherd); that it was a big vessel
(from the thickness of the pottery and the curvature) and that it
was possibly a kitchen vessel (from the coarseness of the fabric)
If, however, the sherd has evidence of pattern or decoration, a
handle, identifying makers stamps etc. the picture becomes clearer.
The pattern is bright and colourful, the handle fine and delicate,
as is the fabric. The vessel is small and can easily be held in the
hand so what is it; a cup, a mug or a jug? Is there evidence of a
spout? Yes, so it’s probably a jug. No, then it could be a cup or a
mug or is the evidence missing which means we can’t be sure.
Follow the link to view
Classroom Activities to follow up a visit from the
Archaeology Service, available as downloadable
pdf's.
The Archaeology Service has produced
a number of step by step guides to accompany the dvd films
above. They should provide you with all the detail you need to
have a go at some larger experimental archaeology projects
with your students.
These activities range for smaller builds such as bread ovens and a
'quick build' kiln, which could be built and fired the same day or
over a couple of days, to more adventurous projects such as
building a Roman kiln or an Iron Age Roundhouse which may require
longer blocks of time, but are wonderful projects suited to such
times as activities week.
If you would like to have a go at one of these
experimental projects
click on the link to take you to the pdf's
guides. If you need more information or would
like the Archaeology Service to come and help you with your project
contact
duncan.allan@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Archaeological Resources
SCC Archaeological Service have put
together a number of Archaeological Resource Packs for
teachers, to help illustrate lessons and stimulate classroom
discussions. These packs are a
comprehensive collection of archaeological site drawings
and photographs providing primary source material. They are
then supplemented with publication level drawings and
photographs of original artefacts, drawings and
photographs of reconstructed buildings and replica artefacts
and photographs of living history events to help illustrate
the objects in use. All the material within these packs
comes from archaeological excavations carried out within
quarries in Suffolk's river valleys.
Follow the link to view all
the
Archaeological Packs available as pdf's to download or
print off.
Other Places to Visit
Click on the pictures below for links to places you may
want to visit to further your history and geography
cirriculum
 |
How to arrange a visit to a quarry |
 |
What happens to quarries after quarrying has
finished? |
 |
Nature reserves and education centres |
 |
Mid Suffolk 'Discovery Project' Aggregates Trail |
 |
Visit a reconstructed Iron Age Village |
 |
Visit local museums |
Links for replica artefacts:
www.re-enactment.com - multi period replica
metal finds
www.grunal.com
- replica coins
www.museumreproductions.co.uk - multi period
replica small finds
Links to Geology Resources: