Walks, talks and workshops for getting hands-on with local history

TRAINED ARTEFACT HANDLERS WILL BE ON SITE FOR NATIONAL TRUST ARCHAEOLOGY FESTIVAL

- BY TED O'NEILL

THE imposing donjon tower of a castle dating from the 1200s, the biggest outdoor adventure playground in the National Trust, and a real life excavation will all be available to explore during the NT's Archaeology Festival later this month.

The NT is inviting visitors to get hands-on with history as it holds a celebration of ancient stories, forgotten artefacts, and the fascinating clues our landscapes hold.

Children will be able to get their hands dirty in exciting trenches at a real archaeological dig in Woolsthorpe Manor and a mini archaeological dig will be held for mini explorers at Gunby Hall.

At Tattershall Castle there is one of Britain's finest examples of dendrochronology - the science of tree rings, and timbers there have been precisely identified as coming from trees which were felled between 1406 and 1431.

Whereas at Belton Estate there will be the opportunity for youngsters to 'turn teddies into Ancient Egyptians.

From guided walks and talks with experts, to family-friendly workshops with finds handling and mini-excavations, a whole range of events will help visitors find out more about archaeology and the past hidden beneath the places in the charity's care.

Hosted by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and supported by the National Trust, the festival is the UK's biggest annual celebration of archaeology.