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07 March 2011
University to take public on archaeological adventure
Budding explorers will be whisked away on an exciting voyage of discovery next week (14-17 March 2011) thanks to the University of Sheffield, who are offering the chance for people to explore important clues to their fascinating past.
As part of National Science and Engineering Week, the University´s Department of Archaeology is hosting a range of hands-on workshops and talks throughout the week to enable history fans to explore how archaeologists have allowed past lives to speak to the modern world.
The workshops will see experts shed light on how humans learned to feed themselves and develop special relationships with animals, and how technology transformed both us and the world.
Illustrated talks will take adults and children on a journey across space and time from Ancient Greece to Peru, highlighting world famous archaeological projects.
Members of the public will also be able to have experience of working with
archaeological materials, including ancient bones, pottery and ancient bronze treasures, to learn more about how these fragments of evidence can provide important clues to the past.
Dr Roger Doonan, from the University of Sheffield´s Department of Archaeology, said: "Budding explorers are welcome to come and discover more about their past at the University's Department of Archaeology during National Science and Engineering Week. In a crammed week of events, the department will be offering some precious opportunities for history buffs, ranging from the art of investigating human bones to handling ancient bronze treasures.
"A series of workshops and lectures supported by leading archaeologists, many of whom will be familiar to TV viewers, will allow the public to discuss burning questions with experts whilst providing hands-on experience of important collections."
All workshops take place from 7pm-8.30pm at the University of Sheffield´s Department of Archaeology, Northgate House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 4ET.
Workshops are free and suitable for children over 8 years. Events are taking place on the following days:
Monday 14 March 2011: Conversing with plants: farming and foraging in prehistory
Farming has been the single activity that has most united humanity over the last 10,000 years. It is therefore not surprising that activities associated with food production have been central in human communication.
This lecture and workshop looks at how archaeologists and archaeobotanists have investigated humans´ relations with plants in changing environments.
Lecture followed by workshop with opportunities to examine archaeological material.
Tuesday 15 March 2011: From cave walls to mobile phones. The story of humanity´s love affair with communicating
Humans are social creatures and therefore need to communicate. We are all familiar with speaking to other humans but we communicate in all sorts of ways. This lecture and workshop looks at some of the more peculiar `things´ that humans have used for communication.
Lecture followed by workshop with opportunities to handle archaeological material.
Wednesday 16 March 2011:Talking to the animals
Humans have long had close relationships with other members of the animal kingdom. We will show you the sort of evidence `zoo archaeologists´ use to investigate whether animals were hunted or herded, and were raised for their meat or for products such as milk or wool. We will also examine how ancient animal bones may complement or contradict written sources and so alter our understanding of human history.
Lecture followed by workshop with opportunities to handle archaeological material.
Thursday 17 March 2011: Speaking with the dead. Bones, bodies and burials
Archaeologists and osteologists have developed an impressive array of techniques for bringing bones back to life. This talk and workshop explores the world of human osteoarchaeology, revealing the evidence and methods by which archaeologists and anthropologists reconstruct the lives of past peoples.
Lecture followed by workshop with opportunities to handle archaeological material.
To reserve a place at a workshop, please email Dr Roger Doonan at r.doonan@sheffield.ac.uk
For more information and a schedule of the archaeology events, please visit the link below.
National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the British Science Association and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) in partnership with Engineering Technology Board (ETB). It aims to celebrate science and its importance to everyday life, providing an opportunity for people of all ages across the UK to take part in science, engineering and technology activities. For a full programme of events and ticket information visit the link below.
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