Imagine stepping back in time, witnessing history unfold right before your eyes! That's the exciting opportunity awaiting the public in Bishop Auckland, where fascinating artifacts from a medieval palace are about to be unveiled in a unique 'open lab' setting. This innovative approach offers an unprecedented glimpse into the world of archaeology, making the past accessible to everyone.
For years, archaeologists have been meticulously excavating Auckland Castle, and now, the treasures they've unearthed are ready for their close-up. But here's where it gets really interesting: instead of being tucked away behind closed doors, the analysis of these historic finds will take place in a public space – specifically, behind the windows of Mrs M's in Bishop Auckland's Market Place.
Starting in January, the public can witness the meticulous work that usually happens out of sight, every Friday. John Castling, the archaeology curator at the Auckland Project, hopes this open approach will become a regular part of people's routines. He envisions locals dropping by after school or during their Friday afternoons to observe the process.
"We are hoping that people will be able to pop down and have a look at what we're doing and almost that it becomes a regular part of their week for a few months," Mr. Castling explained. "One week we might be working on pottery, the next week on brick, the next week on glass, so they can get a little bit of an insight."
The excavations themselves were a massive undertaking, involving over 1,000 participants and spanning seven years, concluding last summer. The discoveries have been remarkable, including items like whale baleen, a fortune-telling dice, and a gold and silver knife. Perhaps most impressively, they uncovered a mansion that had been buried for nearly 400 years!
Now, the archaeologists are faced with the task of sorting through over 300 boxes of findings, a process expected to take around two years.
Professor Chris Gerrard from Durham University, the academic lead on the excavations, emphasizes that this 'open lab' is about more than just displaying the finds. "It's putting it on show in a different way," he stated. "Rather than just showing the finds in a display cabinet, exposing the process of how you get there." He hopes this will inspire people to learn more about archaeology or even get involved themselves.
But here's a thought-provoking question: Do you think this 'open lab' approach is a great way to engage the public with history, or do you believe some aspects of archaeological work should remain private? Share your thoughts in the comments below! What kind of insight would you be most interested in seeing?
