Time Travelling by Water

Morris dancing at Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum

Sarah, one of our Coastal and Marine Learning and Access Officers joined the Wessex team for Medieval mayhem at Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum’s “Pilgrims and Pageants” Festival of British Archaeology 2010 celebrations last weekend.

It was a great day, with the sun shining and a record number of people coming along to join in with the many fun hands-on activities on offer.

Salisbury Museum selected the medieval theme for the day, “Pilgrims and Pageants”, because 150 years ago the museum collection was started through the discovery, in Salisbury, of a medieval drain packed full of artefacts.

To highlight the Drainage Collection, as it is called, Wessex Archaeology reconstructed the watery drain and its contents for people to get their hands wet and explore – fortunately our drain was not as smelly or dirty as a real medieval drain!

We also had sandpit excavations, pilgrim badge and heraldic shield making as well as Time Team’s Phil Harding around to answer people’s questions.

Families also got the opportunity to see traditional Morris dancing and re-enactments of medieval fighting.

The day ended fantastically with the pageant parade. Led by a dragon, the children made fancy dress and hobby horses and followed noisily around the outside of the museum. A great day for everyone involved – looking forward to next year already.

Time Travelling by Water’s Festival of British Archaeology celebrations at Salisbury Museum were a huge success. Crowds of intrepid archaeologists braved the weather to make this one of the largest celebrations of British archaeology held at the museum in recent years. Visitors to the Time Travelling by Water stall learnt about trade and the routes that have bought food to our tables in the past. We would like to thank everyone who took part in making the day a great success.

Time Travelling by Water will be celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology at Salisbury Museum on the 18th July.

The theme of the day is ‘Fabulous Food and Gruesome Grub’ and Time Travelling by Water will be exploring some of the ancient trade routes that have brought different foods to our tables. Join us on the front lawn of the museum and step into our giant world map to explore these for yourself. You can also make your own medieval sailing vessel, handle real finds and ask the experts your archaeological questions…and that’s just on the Time Travelling by Water stall!

Entry to the museum is free on the 18th of July and other events include meeting a Georgian tea dealer and a Tudor confectioner, and helping to create a medieval feast. Hope to see you then.

 Download the Festival of British Archaeology at Salisbury Museum Poster.