How can each and every one of us become archaeologists? How easy is it?

Well, I will be publishing an article in the Big Blend Magazine next week and guesting on the Radio Show on Tuesday night, talking about just that subject.

The first thing you will need to do, is think about what you want to study and where you can study that subject. If it is the ancient Greeks, you can't do much hands-on in Norfolk outside of museums, but if it is the Romans, you are spoiled for choice! Today, I went into a field in Norfolk (with the permission of the land-owner) and did a little field walking, picking up pieces of pottery which dated from the Roman period. That is how simple it can be.

So, choose how you can study or what field-work you can do, read about what you need to do, visit local museums and talk to experts. If you can tag along with someone who knows what he/she is doing, all the better, but, if not, once you know what is expected of a responsible field-walker, get out there and try your hand at it. You will need lots of plastic bags for your finds, pieces of paper to put find-spots in bags and a note-book to draw plans and write notes. Some obvious rules apply: GET PERMISSION FROM THE LAND-OWNER. Be safe. Wear sensible clothing and boots. Make sure someone knows where you are and when you plan to get back. Do not excavate. Leave the place as you find it, gates closed etc. Report all finds to the Archaeological Unit, with find-spots marked on a map.

Be systematic, walk a field in straight lines, up & down, or mark it out in grids. If you note a concentration of finds in one area, make sure you mark it on the plan and make notes. Locate finds on the sketch-map using a grid method like OS maps, if there are no buildings nearby use trees and hedgerows as reference points. If you find a large number of coins, or pieces of the same pot in one area, notify the Unit as soon as possible as they may want to excavate the area properly.

Be responsible! Don't forget to get permission and do not go onto cropped fields.

If you would like further information about field walking or amateur archaeology, contact your local museum or drop me an email.

Glynn

glynn@norfolk-tours.co.uk

http://www.norfolk-tours.co.uk