Roman life is unearthed in Alcester…with a little help from local schoolchildren
Archaeologists have this week been joined by local schoolchildren following the discovery of Roman artefacts during works on a flood alleviation project in Alcester.
The ‘Junior Archaeologists’ observed the dig at the Alcester Flood Alleviation Scheme and watched as the Roman finds were produced.
Warwickshire County Council’s Archaeology Projects Group are currently excavating part of the Roman town of Alcester, and have extended a special behind-the-scenes invite to local schoolchildren, who watched the dig first-hand and as it happened.
The work was carried out by the Archaeology Projects Group for the Environment Agency as part of the Alcester Flood Alleviation Scheme, which aims to reduce the risk of flooding in Alcester and includes raising the height of a flood wall to ensure that it is above the summer 2007 flood level and new pumping stations to reduce surface water flooding.
A small trench has been opened on the east side of Bleachfield Street, in an area known to have been intensely occupied in the Roman period.
Alcester’s rich Roman heritage, as one of Britain’s most-investigated small Roman towns, means that archaeologists have already unearthed some interesting artefacts – including a Roman coin, tiles and some pottery.
Warwickshire County Council’s Heritage Education team have also been encouraging local schoolchildren to come along to the site to join the archaeologists.
Children were given the chance to not only watch the dig as it happened, but also to handle the artefacts that have just been discovered, find out how an archaeological dig happens, and ask the archaeologists plenty of questions.
Heritage Education also had plenty of other hands-on activities lined up for children and teachers to take part in and learn all about the Romans who once lived on their doorstep.
Stuart Palmer, the archaeologist in charge of the work, said: “This is an incredibly important part of what nearly 2,000 years ago was a thriving Roman town. We hope to find evidence of buildings and perhaps industrial activity.”
The dig is programmed to last for a week and several local school parties have asked to visit the site.