Culture Minister David Lammy launched the Awards at the British Museum. Photo Richard Moss © 24 Hour Museum
Culture Minister David Lammy MP met some of the country’s aspiring young archaeologists at a special event in the British Museum on February 22 2006.
The event celebrated the launch of the 29th annual British Archaeological Awards and the Young Archaeologist of the Year Awards, organised by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and their kids' arm, the Young Archaeologist’s Club (YAC).
“Thirty years on, these Awards are still doing a vital job of encouraging people of all ages to discover the breadth of opportunity and experiences that archaeology can provide,” said Mr Lammy.
“Archaeology really is for everyone and I want to congratulate those of you who work on interpreting the past, promoting accessibility and education, protecting our heritage and opening up the subject to an ever wider public.”
The Culture Minister was speaking at the British Museum in central London. © 24 Hour Museum
The awards are given to projects ranging from those that bring volunteers and professionals together to amateur projects. There are also categories for developers who fund archaeology, for books that bring archaeology to a wide audience and TV programmes that inform as well as entertain.
A search has now begun for people and projects that best represent the spirit of archaeology in 2006.
“It is a chance for us to highlight the good work of people who help to bring archaeology to the wider public,” said Mr Lammy, who went on to emphasize how entrants came from right across the UK. “They are of all ages, amateurs and professionals,” he said. “They represent the huge wealth of diversity and experience in the sector.”
The Minister also took time out to meet children participating in hands on activities at the launch that showcased the recent work of the Hackney Building Exploratory whose interactive exhibition explores buildings and the built environment.
Time Team star and archaeologist Raksha Dave was on hand to help promote the Young Archaeologist of The Year Award. © YAC
The challenge for budding Young Archaeologists of the Year for 2006 is to dig around for clues to the history of a building and tell its story.
Channel 4 TV’s Time Team star and archaeologist Raksha Dave was on hand to help youngsters from the local Camden Young Archaeologists Club explore activity tables that highlighted identification techniques, medieval building materials and how buildings are constructed.
Established in 1976 and encompassing fifteen awards, the British Archaeological Awards are a showcase for the best in UK archaeology and a central event in the archaeological calendar. The Awards are presented every other year, with the next Awards ceremony (marking the thirtieth anniversary) to be held in Birmingham in October 2006.
For more information about the Young Archaeologist of the Year Award visit the YAC website
