The Festival of Leicestershire Archaeology 2009 which has over 50 events around the County will be celebrated at Donington le Heath Manor House with 4 events.
The highlight will be ‘Before the Romans’ on Sunday 26th July 2009. This will feature displays on recent excavations at Rothley, Humberstone, Cossington and Wanlip which together have helped to change our view of Prehistoric Leicestershire. Along with pottery, querns (corn grinding stones), and tools this will be the first public chance to see what has been hailed as the earliest piece of art from Leicestershire – a stylised face carved on a stone plaque from Rothley. Along with the displays there will be staff from University of Leicester Archaeological Services who excavated the sites to answer questions. Also on display will be some of the oldest finds ever made in Leicestershire. These are hand axes used by early people. There will be children’s crafts and a trail and many activities including using a real Iron Age quern to produce flour, making Iron Age pots, finding out about Iron Age food and houses. There will be craft demonstrations including flint knapping and the spinning of wool. Members of the Leicestershire Museums Archaeological Fieldwork Group will display their finds and explain how people can get involved and the Young Archaeologists Club will be recruiting new members. The event is free (with small charges for some activities).
Also aimed at children are Wednesday afternoon events on Wednesday 22nd and 29th from 2 until 4pm. These will feature medieval life on the 22nd and Tudor life on the 29th and are the first of a series of school holiday activities throughout the holidays. They are free admission and there is no need to book.
On July 21st at 7.30pm, there will be a talk on ‘Time Team in Leicestershire’ by Peter Liddle, the County Council’s Community Archaeologist. This explains the background to the Time Team dig at Stonton Wyville with behind the scenes insights into this popular programme. The talk is free but booking is essential on (01530) 831259 between 11am and 4pm, where further information on all these events can be obtained.
The full programme for the Festival can be found in leaflets available at museums and libraries or on the internet at www.leics.gov.uk/archaeologyfestival.
For further information on the Festival please contact Peter Liddle on (0116) 305 8326 or email pete.liddle@leics.gov.uk, and for Donington le Heath Manor House, Richard Knox on (0116) 3058327 or email richard.knox@leics.gov.uk
Or visit www.leics.gov.uk/donington
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