“Dilyn Y Cerrig Gleision” - Preselau Bluestones: Sharing a Key Geological and Archaeological Research Programme with the Source Community in Pembrokeshire
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HEADING DESCRIPTION Project Title “Dilyn y Cerrig Gleision” - Preselau Bluestones: Sharing a key geological and archaeological research programme with the source community in Pembrokeshire. Audience School communities in the Preselau: • Ysgol Bro Ingli, • Ysgol Y Frenni, • Ysgol Eglwyswrw • Ysgol Y Preseli. Partnership Science Week Amgueddfa Cymru Funding British Association for the Advancement of Science (grant) CyMAL Team • Dr Richard Bevins - Keeper of Geology, Amgueddfa Cymru • Professor Mike Parker-Pearson - Institute of Archaeology, UCL • Kenneth Brassil – Education Officer, Amgueddfa Cymru • A team of younger Museum colleagues, geologists, archaeologists, natural historians from National Museum Cardiff, as specialist guides • Robin Maggs - Amgueddfa Cymru Photographer • Joe Galvin - Artist • Ffion Reynolds - Artist Description Starting Point As part of its involvement in Science Week, the Museum celebrated and shared a key geological and archaeological research programme with school communities in the Preselau. Background The ‘bluestones’ which outcrop in north Pembrokeshire are celebrated as components of Stonehenge – the world’s most famous ancient stone circle. Dr Richard Bevins, Keeper of Geology has identified one particular rock type, that was incorporated into the monument on Salisbury Plain, which originated from an outcrop at Pont Saeson in Pembrokeshire. Professor Mike Parker-Pearson from the Institute of Archaeology, UCL followed up this identification with two seasons of excavation. In 2012 he uncovered a monolith at the foot of a rock face as if waiting for transportation to Stonehenge. In the summer of 2013 he returned to the ancient quarry to collect key dating samples. This story is to be made public by National Geographic magazine. We intend to share the narrative directly with communities in the Preselau. First Phase A team of younger Museum colleagues, geologists, archaeologists, natural historians and our photographer were the specialist guides for half day field visits to key monuments and ‘bluestone’ outcrops. Pupils from Years 5-6, 8 and also sixth formers had the experience of intense contact with our museum scientists, exploring, in particular the Iron Age hillfort of Moel Drygarn, the Carn Menyn rock outcrops, Pont Saeson and the Pentre Ifan cromlech. Eglwyswrw-educated artist Joe Galvin recorded our hilltop experiences with the pupils and students. His employment was made possible through a small grant from the British Association for the Advancement of Science. A Museum Press Officer joined the party during the Science Week exploration and Radio Cymru were alerted about the forthcoming National Geographic story. Second Phase This year’s Urdd Eisteddfod was held at Boncath, in the shadow of the Preselau. We displayed, shared and extended the March experience together with the ‘Bluestone’ journey in GwyddonLe (the Science pavilion), welcoming the young, local explorers and involving them in our public programme of events. To enhance the ‘recording through art’ exploration during Science Week and to develop greater confidence as a Museum in cross-domain activity, an installation influenced by the young community in the Preselau had been created. This had the fingerprint of quality craftsmanship and artistry. The work was displayed at the Urdd Eisteddfod. (The maquette of the Preselau has now been given to Ysgol Bro Ingli.) During the Eisteddfod week, respected ‘ music learning specialist’ Dylan Adams spent two days at the ‘ Cerrig Gleision’ installation, sharing ideas about the musicality of the bluestone. Pupils from Ysgol Y Preselau recorded ‘Neolithic-style soundscapes’ with him. Despite inclement weather a family of six joined Dylan on the Thursday evening of the Eisteddfod, at dusk, climbing Carn Menyn outcrop to seek its natural rhythm through percussive contact. Their music making was recorded. Third Phase Bro Ingli and Eglwyswrw pupils went on expedition to see the current season of excavation at Pont Saeson , in action. Welcomed by the Site Supervisor they were shown the few precious finds. Student archaeologists were interviewed by the pupils. The last cohort from Ysgol Bro Ingli to visit in the afternoon were given a personal guided tour by the Professor himself. Changing Cultures- Child Poverty Funding Additional funding for the early stages of this project was secured from CyMAL’s Changing Cultures programme. This programme addresses new ways of sharing museums, archives, libraries and historic places with young people and their families, particularly those from less well-off backgrounds. It also helps support agencies and the cultural sector to collaborate. As CyMAL note, ‘Taking part in cultural activities is an important stepping stone on the path of life. Studies have shown that access to culture can help children and young people do better at school.’ Number of 75 KS2 students attended the Science Week fieldtrips Participants / 40 Ysgol y Preseli students attended the fieldtrip Visitors 80 participants attended the lecture by Dr Richard Bevins 18,000 visitors across the week visited GwyddonLe (the Science Pavilion) at the Urdd Eisteddfod – a large proportion engaged with the Museum’s stand which specifically focused on this project. 44 individuals attended the 2 field trips to the University College London excavation. Achievements • The Museum has been a catalyst for STEM and Archaeology-focussed formal education in a rural area, geographically distanced from National Museum Cardiff. • As a result of the engagement by 4 colleagues from different disciplines, the Museum is now less isolated/distanced from communities in north Pembrokeshire. • We have established contacts in the formal education communities which will help the Museum to share the big ‘ bluestone’ story as it breaks across the National Geographic media. • Younger Museum colleagues have been encouraged to engage with this style of outreach. Lessons • We need to work much harder on personal contact with the heads and key teachers. Learned • Repeated requests for informal comments by pupils at two primaries were unsuccessful – with hind sight we should have insisted on feedback at the time. • Continuity of relationships with teachers in projects like this is very important - the key Ysgol Y Preseli teacher moved school and her input, enthusiasm and energy was subsequently sorely missed. • It is important to prepare for all weathers. • Projects benefit from the involvement of the museum’s Communications staff. • It is important to gear presentations to the needs of participants, rather than those of the presenters • Learning colleagues could do more to support the professional development of other museum staff in relation to presentation skills, social intelligence and pedagogy. • Thorough preparation of museum colleagues is essential. • Good quality outdoor kit is essential. • It may be appropriate to consider expeditions over a longer course of time, e.g. over three days. Development With imaginative and considered planning, the National Geographic press story (now due for release after Christmas 2013) can be harnassed by the Museum to celebrate and commemorate with the communities in which the ‘Gleision’ story originates. Two further phases of this project are now planned: Fourth Phase The Geology and Archaeology Departments wish to invite the participating schools to Cardiff for behind the scenes tours. Pre visit engagement should include videoconferencing, with the younger Museum scientists cultivating interest and focus on STEM subjects at Ysgol y Preseli. To enable this, a travel subsidy will need to be secured. Fifth Phase During Science Week 2014, a mini exhibition is planned for National Museum Cardiff, involving the participants, mind mapping the ‘Cerrig Gleision’ as science and creative agents, corresponding and complementing the news story running worldwide courtesy of the National Geographic. The display will later be recreated in Crymych. Photographs A. Dr Richard Bevins B. The School on the Preselau C. K. S. Brassil Date submitted Submitted by Kenneth Brassil – July 2013 A. Dr Richard Bevins B. School on the Preselau. C. Ken Brassil .