We’re celebrating our archaeological past with a series of events for the national CBA Festival of Archaeology, which runs from 16 to 31 July.
With town walks exploring the Roman and Civil War periods, highlight tours of Corinium’s stunning mosaic collection, handling tables, tours of the stores and a mini dig pit for children, there is something for everyone during this year’s festival.
Corinium Museum welcomes mammoth hunters, Dr Neville and Sally Hollingworth for a special talk on Thursday 28 July, 7-9.30pm. Sally and Neville unearthed a mammoth graveyard in Cerney Wick and will share more about the incredible Ice Age mammoth discoveries as well as their experience filming with Sir David Attenborough for the BBC documentary “Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard.”
Festival of Archaeology Events
Roman Cirencester Town Walk, Tues 19 July, 11am-12.15pm
The remains of the ancient Roman town of Corinium lie underneath our feet as we walk around Cirencester. Join Ian Thomas as he discusses the Roman archaeology of the town and key discoveries that point to this being one of the most vibrant and wealthy towns in Roman Britain.
Spotlight on the Hare Mosaic Gallery Talk, Wed 20 July 11-11.45am
Many local people remember the exciting discovery of the Hare Mosaic from Beeches Road allotments. Join Emma to hear about the dig, the archaeology and finally the lifting for display in the Corinium Museum.
Cirencester in the Civil War Town Walk, Thurs 21 July, 11am-12.15pm
Ian Thomas will lead a walk around the town bringing to life the ‘storming of Cirencester’ in 1643. See where events unfolded and consider the significance of Cirencester in the English Civil War.
Roman Cirencester Town Walk, Mon 25 July, 11am-12.15pm
The remains of the ancient Roman town of Corinium lie underneath our feet as we walk around Cirencester. Join Ian Thomas as he discusses the Roman archaeology of the town and key discoveries that point to this being one of the most vibrant and wealthy towns in Roman Britain.
Roman Food Family Activity Mon 25 July, 10am-1pm
Visit the museum to explore Roman food. Discover the tasty and the not so tasty foods eaten by people during the Roman period. Try your hand at grinding herbs and create your own menu inspired by the replica items on the table.
Included in admission
Dig Pit – Family Activity Tues 26 July, 10am-12pm
Visit the museum and learn about archaeological techniques by trying your hand in one of our dig pits. Complete your own mini excavation report, measure objects you unearth, identify them and try your hand at drawing them too.
Roman Food Family Activity, Wed 27 July, 10am-1pm
Visit the museum to explore Roman food. Discover the tasty and the not so tasty foods eaten by people during the Roman period. Try your hand at grinding herbs and create your own menu inspired by the replica items on the table.
Included in admission
Animal Mosaic Children’s Craft Workshop, Wed 27 July, 10.30am -12pm
Join Emma for a morning of mosaic making. We will explore the museum looking for inspiration from the museum’s Roman mosaic collections. During this morning workshop you will create an animal mosaic to take home.
Roman Military Handling Table, Wed 27 July, 10am-12pm
Visit the museum and explore the kit of a Roman soldier at our handling table. Feel the weight of a Roman helmet and hear about the life and journey of Roman soldiers who marched across Europe to reach Britain.
Brass Rubbing, Thurs 28 July, 10am-12pm
Try your hand at brass rubbing in the museum’s medieval gallery. Cotswold churches are full of commemorative brasses celebrating local families and their trades. Join us to create a brass rubbing to take home.
Discover @ The Stores, Wed 27 July, 11am
The Resource Centre, The Old Prison Site, Northleach. Join us to discover the museum stores: the Cotswolds from prehistory to the 1950’s, through stone, costume, pottery, rural life and social history.
Unearthing The Mammoth Graveyard Evening Lecture with Sally and Neville Hollingworth Thurs 28 July, 7 – 9.30pm
Want to find out what it’s like to unearth an Ice Age mammoth? Hear more about the incredible Ice Age discoveries behind the BBC documentary “Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard” and meet the couple who made the discovery, Sally and Neville Hollingworth.