Michael Faraday School

For the last two summers the Museum of London has conducted community archaeology excavation project in London parks.

In 2005 we worked in Shoreditch Park, Hackney, and last year we worked in Bruce Castle, Haringey. Both were extremely successful bringing hundreds of children, families and local residents into direct contact with their areas past.

The previous digs have shown that community excavations are a powerful way for children, and others, to take a direct interest in the places and neighbourhoods where they live and link this to local history, and archaeological methods, while having a great time. This year we would like to work even more closely with London school children and undertake excavations in the playing fields and playgrounds of their school.

The plan is to excavate within the school grounds of up to nine primary schools, possibly covering three London boroughs. An initial visit would be needed to the potential sites to assess the site and determine viability. We will pick schools that are keen to participate but also where documentary and map research suggested there was a strong possibility of finding remains.

The planned format would consist of a pre-excavation school visit to discuss old maps, documentary evidence for their area, and the planned excavation with the children. We plan to move into the excavation phase during National Archaeology Week in July (14th – 22nd).

The excavation phase would be spread over 2-3 days and would comprise a small, fairly shallow trench. Each excavation would be staffed by two members of staff, from the MoL, and the mini-excavations would be run concurrently and consecutively at the sites. There would also be associated activities, enough to engage all the children from one year group, ideally Year 5.

The excavation and activities would be tailored to fit in with National Curriculum objectives crossing over a number of subjects including history and geography. Although primarily for schools and school children the project could also act as a focus for the local community involving families and other local residents.

Subsequently we plan go back in the autumn term to explain and carry out post-excavation work with the children, e.g. finds/site processing and recording. The results would be disseminated through the schools, MoL and schools websites and possibly small exhibitions within the schools and in the foyer at MoL.