Current News

30th August 2007

Availability of Educational Resources

Please note: Unfortunately, CSA's workshop equipment and artefacts are unavailable as of 1st September 2007. CSA hope to make them available for borrowing by the Spring of 2008.

19 October 2007

[Scottish Borders] Friends of Coldingham Priory Adopt-a-Monument Project

In advance of the development of the Community Garden at Coldingham Priory, children from the local primary school came to the Priory on Friday 19th October to learn all about metal detecting. The children teamed up with the Friends of the Priory, the AaM Officer Helen, Borders Archaeology Officer Rory McDonald, and very special guest Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones (a dedicated detectorist keen to promote responsible use).

The children investigated mounds of spoil produced during excavations in the 1960s and 70s by the Berwickshire Naturalist Field Club. The spoil was dumped in the area to the south of the Priory outside the Scheduled Monument boundary where, subject to funding, landscaping works for the garden will go ahead. A grid was set up so that participants could learn how to plot in their finds, most of which were modern and of low significance. The exception was a small brooch which will be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit (www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk) and assessed, so watch this space!

The event was a great sucess, helping to raise awareness for the project whilst bringing to life the rich history of the Priory for the children. An education programme for the garden project and involving the Primary School is due to commence in January 2008. The metal detecting day has helped to build upon the childrens' enthusiasm for the various workshops, projects and drama productions in store for them in 2008. The event also provided an opportunity to promote metal detecting as a valuable investigative tool, depending upon the nature of the site, and the recording methodology.

October 2007

[Edinburgh] Kaimes School Iron Age Project

Earlier this month, Board member Mel Johnson and the CSA Adopt-a-Monument Officer Helen spent a day at Kaimes Special School in Edinburgh, delivering a 'classroom dig' to bring archaeology to life for the children. The session was part of an Iron Age project being carried out by the school with help from CSA. The classroom dig was a great way for the children to enjoy active, hands-on learning about the work of an archaeologist, with the opportunity to dig up, analyse and record artefacts. The resources for the project were funded through an award from the Children in Need charity and the BBC was present on the day to film the session. The footage will be aired on BBC1 on either the 16th or 18th of November (watch this space for information as it becomes available).

Autumn 2007

[West Lothian] Archaeological Surveys

The results of recent archaeological surveys conducted at Blackridge and Woodend in West Lothian are now available from the Armadale and Area Archaeological Index and include some great advice about undertaking aerial site photography.

For further information on the CSA, contact Communications Officer on 0131 668 4189 or by email.