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The Department of Archaeology has a strong commitment to engage positively with the local community, especially with schools and colleges.
Our internationally renowned research in a variety of topics and eras underpins our outreach projects and resources, which aim to provide a unique opportunity for students to experience archaeology hands-on.
If you are interested in archaeology at university level, please come to one of our Open Days, where the Department offers a full programme of activities. This is a unique opportunity to visit both us and other University departments, and to see the Whiteknight campus in Reading.
During the summer we run our archaeological field school. Sometimes we are able to offer attendance or allow visits on specifics Open Days.
For more information, please contact Amanda Clarke.
The following outreach activities are available throughout the academic year, with some available both online and as part of a practical workshop for local/regional schools and colleges, delivered by our team of experts.
Suitable for KS3
Think it's tough being a teenager? Step back in time with a team of archaeologists and discover just how unfair life used to be for the teens of medieval Britain, especially for William Westoby, a teenage boy who is forced to take up arduous and dangerous work in medieval York.
This resource will expose students to the harsh realities of growing up in the 14th century, in both town and villages, and with The Black Death looming in the not-too-distant future. It links with the KS3 History Curriculum, and students will learn about medieval history, osteology and biology, and the human life-course. Where you live could be the difference between life and death...
This resource can be taken to local and regional schools as a one hour workshop. For more information and bookings please contact Emily Jones
Please note, all resources are PDF files unless otherwise stated.
Suitable for KS2
Who were the real Romans? Where did they come from? How did they live?
Explore how diverse Roman Britain was through the life of four individuals who lived in the Romano-British towns of Winchester and York.
With this teaching resource for Key Stage 2, we have created an entire website dedicated to Roman Britain: Romans Revealed.
The website presents four individuals selected from our research (some locals and some incomers) and children can explore them either through 'digging up' their graves or through following short stories written by Caroline Lawrence.
A further teaching resource has been developed around the character of Julia Tertia, also known as the 'Ivory Bangle Lady'; this woman has African ancestry, allowing teachers to explore ancient migration and diversity.
Please contact Professor Hella Eckardt or Dr Gundula Müldner for more information.
Please note, all resources are PDF files unless otherwise stated.
Suitable for KS2
Evolution does not happen overnight – it took us millions of years to look and behave as we do today. But how did this happen? What physical changes have we been through?
With this resource we guide pupils through an evolutionary timeline, allowing them a unique opportunity to become archaeologists and handle skulls and hand tools from our ancestors – from Lucy the Australopithecine to Neanderthals and beyond.
This resource can be taken to local/regional schools as a one hour classroom workshop and has links with the KS2 History Curriculum (prehistory) and the KS2 Science Curriculum (evolution).
For more information and bookings, please contact Emily Jones.
The Palaeolithic Rivers of South-West Britain (PRoSWeB) is a project which aims to improve our understanding of the Palaeolithic archaeology of the south-west region, through stone artefacts (largely handaxes), the evolution of the region's river valley landscapes, and the scope and extent of the hominin occupation during the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic periods (which date to between approximately 900,000 and 40,000 years ago in Britain).
For more information about this project, please contact Dr Robert Hosfield.
These links may be helpful to you and your students in finding out more about archaeology, planning site visits, or locating resources for teaching.
UK Archaeology
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) website provides an excellent overview of British Archaeology, including fieldwork opportunities, education resources and factsheets, and links to the Young Archaeologists' Club and the Community Archaeology Forum.
British Archaeology Magazine
Includes up-to-date news and features on all aspects of British archaeology.
Current Archaeology Magazine
Similar in scope to the British Archaeology magazine, Current Archaeology provides news and features, as well as advice on archaeology careers and details of current UK field projects.
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA)
The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists is the key body for professional archaeologists, and this website provides a wealth of information for anyone considering archaeology as a career.
CBA Guide to UK Archaeology Online
This site provides excellent online material for a wide range of archaeological topics, including Celtic coinage and ancient stone circles and standing stones.
Coping with Climate
Compiled in collaboration with Schools Prehistory & Archaeology, this site includes lesson plans, image banks, a timeline, fundamental fact sheets, and practical activities for schools.
