PREVIEW: Ancient Worlds by the Sea study day with Marie Woods and Joann Fletcher
And it is now about to be celebrated with a study day led by two of the area's leading names, writes Graham Walker.
Archaeologist Marie Woods, who discovered the fully revealed dinosaur footprint, and her pal, BBC TV's Ancient Egypt expert presenter Prof Joann Fletcher, will host Ancient Worlds by the Sea at Scarborough's Woodend Gallery, former home of the Sitwell family, on Saturday, May 21, 10am to 4pm.
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From that 'Jurassic giant' megalosaurus footprint, found last year near Filey, to ancient Egyptian gold coffin artefacts, Bronze Age jewellery, Inca pots from ancient Peru and more, the day promises to be an unmissable treat for history buffs.
It will explore Scarborough’s ancient past, looking at the area’s history and why objects from so many places around the ancient world are to be found in the seaside town.
Beginning with a deep dive into the Jurassic era, with more about the UK’s largest theropod dinosaur footprint, they will then transport history fans forward through time to the Stone Age and Bronze Age, into the Roman Period and on to the Medieval era.
Ancient Worlds by the Sea will look at ways that recent and ongoing excavations are revealing more of Scarborough’s rich past, including finds made locally by the two hosts.
Discovering why the ancient Egyptians and Peruvians can also be found on the Yorkshire coast, they will also look at the local pioneers and places responsible for such a diverse historical legacy.
The experts will highlight some of their favourite objects from the region and put them into context.
There will be the opportunity to handle genuine artefacts within the surroundings of Woodend, part of Scarborough’s historic Crescent. Its own fascinating links to past worlds will also be revealed.
"There will be artefacts we've both found ourselves during excavations in and around Scarborough Castle," said co-host Jo, who has made global headlines many times herself, not least of all when she identified the mummy of Queen Nefertiti.
"We'll even be looking at our local Scarborough links to the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb. Lunch is included too."
Jo, with husband Dr Stephen Buckley and others, worked on a world first to recreate the voice of an Egyptian mummy using a 3D print of his voice box. They were part of a 2011 BAFTA award winning Channel 4 team which made a documentary about mummifying a taxi driver.
The couple, both University of York professors living in Scarborough, also recently uncovered evidence that Europe's first industrial revolution was actually more than 3,000 years ago - the earliest use of coal in the western world.
Woodend, operated and managed by Creative Industries Centre Trust Limited (CIC Ltd) since it opened in April 2008, provides serviced workspaces for creative industries, bringing together some of Yorkshire’s most innovative creative businesses.
Art, heritage and contemporary culture is celebrated there with an independent events programme for visitors from the town and beyond.
The CIC Ltd, a not-for-profit company that leases the building from Scarborough Borough Council, is committed to assisting and supporting the growth of the creative industries and supporting cultural regeneration.
LINKS:
Tel: 01723 384500
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