Young Archaeologists' Club Archaeological Reconstruction Workshop - Oliver Blackmore
Young Archaeologists’ Club Archaeological Reconstruction Workshop
Oliver Blackmore
(A version of this article first
appeared in The Welsh Federation of Museums and Art Galleries newsletter in late
2019)
Newport
Museum and Heritage Service cares for an important prehistoric boat plank
excavated at Goldcliff, Newport in 1992. The plank dates from a late Bronze
Age, approximately 3,000 years ago. Because of its fragile organic composition,
the plank has been in storage for the past 27 years. With the help of the Welsh
Federation of Museums and Art Galleries, this significant object is now on
display and has inspired and engaged the South East Wales branch of the Young
Archaeologists’ Club (YAC).
The Goldcliff Bronze
Age boat plank – a challenging object
to interpret.
Newport
Museum approached the Welsh Federation for grant aid to help the Service
acquire a state-of-the-art display case to make the plank accessible. To help
interpret this rather challenging object, Newport Museum commissioned an
archaeological illustrator – Anne Leaver to draw a reconstruction based on
evidence from Goldcliff and other examples of Bronze Age sewn boats. The Museum
also employed the services of Neil Burridge – an expert bronze caster to make
replicas of the sort of tools which would have be used to make the boat.
Anne Leaver’s archaeological
reconstruction drawing © Anne Leaver
As part of
this process, Anne and Neil agreed to contribute to YAC session based on
Archaeological Reconstruction at the Newport Medieval Ship Centre. Curator of
the Newport Ship – Dr Toby Jones introduced the boat plank to the group and
explained its discovery and significance. Anne Leaver then went on to explain
her reconstruction drawing and how the archaeological evidence from Goldcliff
informed its composition. The YAC group were then given an opportunity to draw
artefacts in the Ship Centre. For the grand finale, Neil Burridge cast a South
Wales type socketed axe head and a Wilburton type sword.
Neil Burridge pours
molten bronze into an axe mould and washes the newly cast sword
South Wales type socketed axe, Wilburton
type sword and socketed gouge made by Neil Burridge. Now on display in Newport
Museum.
Rebecca
Eversley – YAC leader said “Our group has been running for 25
years this year and our aim is to teach about the various methods of
archaeology and make every possible opportunity, accessible to the group. Our
visit provided so many glimpses into different roles and in such a fun way.
Many of the group are hoping to become archaeologists and it is always a
pleasure working with experts who will give some time to young people in order
to talk about their role and passions. This meeting has left an impression on
many of our group and we are looking forward to more collaborations such as this.”
Anne Leaver shares her
drawing skills and YAC members interview Neil Burridge
The session
was documented by the YAC group, who were given iPads and taught how to Vlog by Emma Newrick – Newport’s Fusion
Manager (now Project Coordinator – Transporter
Bridge Transformation).
The Goldcliff plank is now on display in its new case in Newport
Museum’s brand new Prehistory exhibition. It is exhibited underneath Anne
Leaver’s brilliant reconstruction to add context. All the replicas made by Neil
Burridge are also on display alongside a film of Neil casting them during the
YAC session.
The Goldcliff plank in
the new Prehistory displays at Newport Museum and Art Gallery
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