Young archaeologists enjoy unearthing artefacts in Earsham
Rosie and Lily from Waveney Young Archaeologists' Club enjoy unearthing various items. - Credit: Archant
A group of budding young archaeologists have started unearthing the history of the lake at the River Waveney Trust Centre.
Ella, a four legged resident of the River Waveney Trust Centre in Earsham, checks the artifacts found by the youngsters. - Credit: Archant
The youngsters from Waveney Valley Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC), who are aged eight to 14, took part in an exploratory scavenger hunt and an exploratory test pit dig and were amazed to discover a fascinating collection of bone, brick, clay pipes, glass, pottery and tile.
The lake was originally dug by the old Otter Trust, which previously owned the site, to provide a home for otters.
The excavated soil had been used to create a bank and beach by the lake and a small island.
A recent channel excavated in the lake to improve the flow of the water has provided a lakeside mound of soil containing numerous small finds – an ideal site for exploration by enthusiastic young archaeologists.
At another session, the children worked together with their parents to dig several initial test pits in the mound of excavated soil next to the lake.
The sieved soil revealed many fragments of clay pipe, pottery and tile.
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Each artefact was carefully cleaned using water and old nailbrushes and roughly dated by the group.
The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were thrilled to be accompanied by Ella, a tame deer who lives at River Waveney Trust Centre site.
The artefacts from both sessions have been photographed by Andrew Atterwill, from the River Waveney Trust Centre, and the older and more intriguing finds have been taken to Gressenhall, in Norfolk, to be professionally dated and identified. Hopefully the results will provide clues as to the site’s early history.
Waveney Valley YAC is run by volunteers.
The next session at the River Waveney Trust Centre site in Earsham is on Saturday, December 5 and will involve test pit digging skills and techniques.
There is a brass rubbing session tomorrow at All Saints Church in Mendham. Both sessions take place from 9.30am to 11.30am and cost £2.
Youngsters who would like to join the club should ask their parents or carers to email Jo Poole (YAC leader) on yac.waveneyvalley@ gmail.com.
Membership costs £5 per year and currently includes a YAC pass card, which offers free/reduced entry to historical sites and museums up and down the country.
To learn more about the Young Archaelogists’ Club national network, visit the website www.yac-uk.org
? Do you have a story for us? Email lynn.crombie@archant.co.uk or call 01502 712060.
