News Archive - National Archaeology Day Saturday 17th July 2004

As part of the Council of British Archaeology National Open Days, Pre- Construct Archaeology held an Open Day at their offices in Brockley on Saturday 17th July.

Despite the British Summer (the day beginning with a torrential thunderstorm), the day was a great success. Between 30 and 40 local people came along throughout the course of what became a hot sunny afternoon.

There was a range of activates to take part in. Perhaps the most popular with the kids was pot making and pot washing, while equally popular with younger kids was the sand pit filled with various artefacts to 'excavate'.
There were lectures on two of our most important Roman sites; Tabard Square and The Roman bathhouse at Shadwell, as well as displays of small finds and pottery covering all periods of the past.

One of the highlights of the day was the firing of some pre - prepared pots in a kiln, most of which emerged in one piece!

As well as being fun, there is the serious side of making archaeology accessible to the public, something PCA is committed to doing.
Open Days like this allows the local community to better understand what we as archaeologists do, and who knows, we may even have inspired the next generation of diggers!

Without the help, time and enthusiasm of staff members, this Open Day could not have happened. Thanks must go to: Chris (Jarrett), Berni, Marit, Lorraine, Victoria, Fiona, Dougie , Alistair , Charlotte , Frank, Lisa, Gary and Josephine.

Stuart Watson.