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Kent volunteers receive their awards. photograph: Phil Medgett.

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Contact:
Norman Smith,
Chairman, Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust: 01227 712463
Tony Redding,
Friends Publicity Officer: 01304 813366; 07768 394699

Young diggers can join local “Time Teams”

Young people living in East Kent and “bitten by the Time Team bug” have plenty of opportunity to pursue their interest in archaeology.

	Canterbury Archaeological Trust’s Abby Guinness is Co-Leader of the Canterbury Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC). She says: “Our members range in age from nine to 15. We offer young people a first opportunity to experience the exciting world of archaeology. We organise trips to important sites, such as Richborough, and provide the chance to get involved in processing finds from excavations. Our members are also involved in experimental archaeology, including making mosaics and flint tools.”
	Abby Guinness: interested in archaeology since the age of 10.

Abby adds: “We are always pleased to welcome new members at YAC. Our older members tend to find new ways to become involved in archaeology when they reach 16. One option is to join the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (FCAT), the network supporting Canterbury’s professional archaeologists. They then have the opportunity to join digs, as members of East Kent’s volunteer archaeological groups, and help with finds washing and sorting.”

Those considering archaeology as a career can gain valuable experience during a ‘gap year’. While continuing in full-time education, former YAC members qualify for FCAT’s discounted student membership rate of £7.50 per year.

Abby’s own fascination with archaeology has led her to take it up professionally: “I have been interested in archaeology since the age of 10. Two years later, I made up my mind to be an archaeologist. I became a member of my local YAC Branch at 13 and began digging at 16. I joined digs every Summer, ranging from a prehistoric settlement on St. Kilda to excavations at the site of Eton’s huge new rowing lake.”

Following a gap year with the Lancashire County Council Archaeology Service, which is responsible for the area’s Sites and Monuments Record, Abby went to Sheffield University. She graduated in 2000 with a Degree in Archaeological Science and joined Canterbury Archaeological Trust in February 2001. Whilst at the Trust, Abby has studied part-time for two years and, having recently completed a dissertation, has gained a Masters Degree in Archaeology and Heritage.

Abby is now part of the site team excavating a Bronze Age settlement overlooking a quarry at Snodland. Work began in late July on land about to be developed for housing.

She says: “I am now in my fourth year with the Trust and I still love the work. My most exciting moment was the discovery of a Papal Seal on the Whitefriars site in Canterbury. I was also fortunate enough, earlier this year, to join a team for a four-week phase of excavation in Benghazi. We worked on the site of the first Greco-Hellenic city in what is now Libya.”

Members of Canterbury's Young Archaeologists' Club are briefed on site
by a professional archaeologist.

MARCH 1, 2004

X-RAY UNIT REVEALS BIG DIG SECRETS

Expert examination of metal finds from Canterbury's Big Dig excavations is being supported by X-ray analysis at the Canterbury Archaeological Trust's Broad Street headquarters.

This X-ray unit was purchased last year with a donation of £6,000, made possible by successful fund-raising by the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust – the volunteer network supporting Canterbury's professional archaeologists.

		Trust Conservation Assistant Adrian Murphy says: "The X-ray unit has had an important impact on our work. Most of the metal finds from the Whitefriars excavations are heavily corroded. The new X-ray machine provides an instant picture of what is hidden by layers of corrosion. We have already had many surprises. One recent example was a badly corroded object with a roughly circular shape. X-ray analysis showed it to be a perfect disc with a finely detailed Coat of Arms. This disc, with its shield-like heraldic device, has four mounting lugs clearly visible on X-ray.
		Canterbury Archaeological Trust Conservation Assistant Adrian Murphy examines the metal disc bearing an heraldic design.

"The great thing about our X-ray unit is its availability at all times. X-ray photography instantly reveals the original form of a metal artefact, together with any decoration otherwise completely hidden by corrosion. The unit is in constant use, providing images to help the experts assess each metal object from Whitefriars."

Membership of the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust is expanding, but more members are needed to support Canterbury's professional archaeologists in important work, including the processing of finds from the Big Dig excavations. Find out how you can help by calling the Trust on 01227 462062.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Norman Smith, Chairman,
Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust: 01227 712463
Tony Redding, Friends Publicity Officer: 01304 813366; 07768 394699

JANUARY 26, 2004

MORE VOLUNTEERS WANTED
TO SUPPORT CANTERBURY'S ARCHAEOLOGISTS

Hundreds of people with an interest in the archaeology of Canterbury and East Kent are now celebrating 20 years' successful fund-raising in support of Canterbury's professional archaeologists. Over the past two decades this network – the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust – has raised well over £100,000. The money provided scientific equipment, improved the Trust's facilities and has allowed archaeologists to attend important national and international conferences.

Speaking at last Saturday's annual "Frank Jenkins Memorial Lecture" at Christ Church University College, Friends' Chairman Norman Smith said: "We will continue to support Canterbury's professional archaeologists. We will provide funding for special projects and requirements. The Friends will also join other volunteers and work alongside the professionals."

He added: "This year will see a new emphasis on post-excavation activities, education and training. Providing funds for professional development is an excellent use of resources. In this way we help to ensure Canterbury retains its position as a centre of excellence in the world of archaeology."

There are around six Friends for every professional archaeologist based at the Trust's city headquarters. For a small annual subscription, Friends receive Trust publications and excavation reports as well as a programme of lectures and visits. Norman Smith says: "An increasing number of Friends now play an active role by helping to process finds. The Friends also assisted visitors to the four 'Big Dig' excavations at Whitefriars – the last of which was completed just before Christmas."

		The Whitefriars excavations resulted in the recruitment of new Friends. Many visitors were keen to learn how they can assist the city's professional archaeologists. Volunteers are now engaged in a race against time to help Trust archaeologists clean and collate over 30 tonnes of finds from the Whitefriars excavations. The finds processing must be completed in May. There is no budget for finds washing and more volunteers are needed as a matter of urgency. Bulk Finds Organiser Jacqui Lawrence says: "Anyone wanting to help can reach me on 07759 189453. We are very flexible. People can come along and help whenever they can."
		Jacqui Lawrence (left) with Canterbury Archaeological Trust Friend Jane Chaloner.

Canterbury's reputation as a centre of excellence for archaeology reached new heights in 2003. The Whitefriars excavations were brought to a successful conclusion and work continued at Ringlemere, near Sandwich. This involves the site where metal detectorist Cliff Bradshaw discovered a Bronze Age gold cup in November 2001, causing an international sensation. The gold cup now features in the "Treasures of the British Museum" exhibition, shortly to go on tour around the country.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust Director Paul Bennett says: "Volunteers played a major part in the Ringlemere excavations. The huge barrow under investigation is one of a series of such structures in the low valley of the Durlock Stream. This exciting project is being progressed by Dover-based archaeologist Keith Parfitt, members of the Dover Archaeological Group and other volunteers. The results so far include the largest collection of grooved ware found in Kent. This pottery has been dated to around 1500 BC. Ringlemere is a fine example of how amateur and professional archaeologists interact and produce results of national significance.

"It also makes the point that we can accommodate all who wish to become directly involved in the archaeology of Canterbury and East Kent. The obvious first step, of course, is to become a Friend of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust."

The Trust now faces a challenging year. The emphasis has shifted from major excavations, such as Whitefriars, to important post-excavation activities. Paul Bennett explains: "We have a significant backlog of work to progress. In the case of Whitefriars alone, it would take a decade to process and catalogue finds if we adopted traditional practices. We are now taking a more innovative approach. Above all, we need continued support from the Friends and help on a massive scale from volunteers willing to get involved in processing finds from Whitefriars and other excavations.

"We are looking for sponsors willing to back our important educational work in Kent schools. We also seek support for the exciting project to build a replica of the Dover Bronze Age Boat, discovered in 1992 and of similar date to the Ringlemere Cup. Trust Deputy Director Peter Clark recently gave a presentation on this subject to an international audience at Lloyd's Register of Shipping in London. We need financial backing if we are to undertake this world-class project in experimental archaeology. We need sponsors for the first phase – project planning, design studies and model tank testing. We hope the model tests will be performed during 2005. Work on construction of the replica can then commence. We hope to see the Friends involved".

For more information, contact:
Norman Smith, FCAT Chairman: 01227 712463
Tony Redding, FCAT Publicity Officer: 01304 813366; 07768 394699
Paul Bennett, Director, Canterbury Archaeological Trust: 01227 462062

MARCH 28, 2003

FUND-RAISING PROVIDES ARCHAEOLOGISTS WITH
NEW WINDOW ON PAST

Archaeological experts now have a powerful new tool for exploring the past, following successful fund-raising by the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.

The Friends contributed £6,000 to purchase an X-ray machine. This scientific instrument will assist in the assessment and conservation of metal finds. It will also save the Trust a significant sum of money, by reducing its reliance on external laboratories. The Friends' grant covered the costs of the equipment, together with training in its operation and the construction of a special room to house the system.

The first archaeological find to be examined using the new X-ray machine was an iron boss from an Anglo-Saxon shield, dating to around c. 600 AD and found during excavations at Horton, near Chatham.

Adrian Murphy, Conservation Assistant at the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, says: "It is exciting to have the X-ray equipment on the premises and available at all times. The use of this machine is essential when dealing with many metal finds. X-ray photography reveals the original form of the object and, in some cases, decoration and other features which are otherwise hidden by corrosion."

In the 19 years since its foundation, the Friends organisation has made grants totalling well over £100,000 for the benefit of Canterbury's professional archaeologists.

With the X-ray machine now in use, the Friends have recently made further grants totalling £7126 to finance the construction of a new Archive Facility and Small Finds Store. The new store is needed to house the Trust's existing finds collection, which has outgrown available space. More room is also required to house finds from Whitefriars and from future excavations. In addition, a sum of £300 has been provided for purchase of a photographic slide scanner and another of £422 for a plasma screen stand.

In 2001, the Friends gave £5,000 in support of a successful bid for Heritage Lottery funding, for public access facilities at Canterbury's "Big Dig 2". Other grants in recent years have funded the acquisition of computer hardware and software, cameras and electronic survey equipment - ensuring that Canterbury's archaeologists remain at the forefront of archaeological investigation and research.

Norman Smith, the Friends' new Chairman, says: "Our support extends beyond the purchase of equipment. We continue to fund bursaries, allowing Canterbury's archaeologists to attend more courses, conferences and other events. We also provide help at the practical level. One example is the recent funding of repairs to the roof of the Trust's headquarters, a project costing around £5,000."

Over the coming weeks, the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust are to launch a campaign to attract new members, in response to the upsurge in interest in archaeology following Canterbury's "Big Dig" excavations. The aim is to allow more enthusiasts to give practical help and support to the professional archaeologists. For more information on membership, contact: The Canterbury Archaeological Trust (on 01227 462062) and ask for the Friends' Membership Secretary, Dr Peter Leeming.		Adrian Murphy, of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, prepares the Horton shield boss for X-ray analysis.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Norman Smith, FCAT Chairman: 01227 712463 Tony Redding, FCAT Publicity Officer: 01304 813366; 07768 394699

APRIL 22, 2003

PLAN LAUNCHED TO BUILD REPLICA
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT

A plan to construct a replica of the Dover Bronze Age Boat has been unveiled in the United States by Canterbury Archaeological Trust Deputy Director Peter Clark. If the funding can be found, an international project will be established to construct the replica and sail it across the English Channel.

The Dover Boat caused an archaeological sensation when discovered in 1992 during the construction of the road link between Dover and the Channel Tunnel. The Dover Boat, now housed in a special gallery at Dover Museum, has been dated to 1,550 BC. It had a length of 11 m, a crew of around 16 and carried a cargo of up to three tonnes. Its discovery provided further evidence of a flourishing trade between Britain and Continental Europe during the Bronze Age.

Peter Clark recently addressed a conference in Seattle and described the discovery, excavation and preservation of the Dover Boat, together with its significance. His audience included experts in the wetland preservation of timber artefacts and structures. He called for support for an international project to raise funds and carry out the construction of the replica Dover Boat.

Peter Clark's attendance at the Seattle conference was part-funded by the Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (FCAT), the organisation - all volunteers - providing financial and other support to Canterbury's team of professional archaeologists.

Commenting on the outcome of his visit to Seattle, Peter Clark says: "The conference was well attended and there was strong interest in the plan to build the replica Dover Boat. While looking for international funding and participation, we also hope to win sponsorship in Kent and elsewhere in Britain for a project that will capture global interest."

Canterbury Archaeological Trust Deputy Director Peter Clark, pictured with the Dover Bronze Age Boat.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Norman Smith, FCAT Chairman: 01227 712463
Tony Redding, FCAT Publicity Officer: 01304 813366; 07768 394699
Peter Clark, Canterbury Archaeological Trust: 01227 462062 pete.clark@canterburytrust.co.uk