Dig Greater Manchester shortlisted for 2016 British Archaeological Awards
Friday 10 June 2016
A SALFORD-led project offering ‘archaeology for all’ is shortlisted for the 2016 British Archaeological Awards.
Dig Greater Manchester has provided the skills for hundreds of local people to go out and explore their own past through a series of exciting digs, curations and profile-raising campaigns.
Hundreds of Salfordians and people from Manchester, Bury and elsewhere took part in digs at New Bailey Prison, Worsley New Hall and Newton Hall, Buile Park and Radcliffe Tower.
The Newton Hall dig led to the saving of the medieval hall which is now in the hands of a buildings preservation trust.
The New Bailey dig featured in national media and uncovered the origins of today’s modern prison system.
Led by academics and technicians in the Centre for Applied Archaeology in the School of Environment and Life Sciences, it is in line for best community engagement archaeology project in the UK.
Entries are judged by independent panels made up of leading experts from across the archaeology field in the UK, including both professional and voluntary sectors.
Ella McQueen, chair of the judging panel, said: “We were impressed by the ambition and reach of this project and the enabling and leading role played by the Centre for Applied Archaeology.
“The involvement of 1,600 volunteers and more than 3,000 children is noteworthy as are the spin-off projects, creation of new heritage groups and the research and knowledge gained through the five-year project.”
Dr Mike Nevell, Director of the CfAA said the project had responded well to an ever increasing fascination of the public with the history and archaeology of their local area.
“We are increasingly responding to this interest by developing new ways to help people to participate in research and excavations, and share and understand new discoveries.”
“That is Dig Greater Manchester’s biggest legacy – an archaeology for all’.
Fieldwork finished last November and the team are now completing the excavation reports, impact case studies, and will end the project with an autumn conference and several popular and academic publications.
For more details, follow Dr Nevell’s blog
The winners of the 2016 British Archaeological Awards will be announced at a ceremony at the British Museum on 11 July, compered by Julian Richards, archaeologist and TV presenter.
Follow the awards on twitter @BAAWARDSUK and Facebook/British Archaeological Awards
For more information about the Awards contact us by email at robertkilntrust@btconnect.com
Related news
Research identifies a new drug candidate to starve and suffocate breast cancer stem cell growth
Monday 7 October 2019
Scientists at the university have identified a new drug candidate (*) that is able starve and suffocate cancer stem cells, paving the way for new therapies to treat breast cancer patients.
