Press Releases

Museum explores new perspectives on archaeology in Wales

On Saturday 15 November, from 10:30 am, leading experts in archaeology across Wales and England will be attending the annual conference Archaeopasts 2014 at National Museum Cardiff to present new perspectives on archaeology in Wales. Throughout the day, results of recent archaeological research and hidden histories within archaeological collections will be revealed to the public.

The conference will be held from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and advance tickets cost £8 for adults, £7 concessions (plus booking fee of £1 per transaction) through the Amgueddfa Cymru online shop http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/shop/ Advance booking for students with ID and children is free by emailing eventscardiff@museumwales.ac.uk or telephone 029 2057 3148.

You can pay in the Museum’s Main Hall on the day: cost £10 for adults, £9 for concessions and students

Guest keynote speaker Dr Stuart Needham is an Honorary Research Fellow at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, and was previously the Curator of European Bronze Age Collections at the British Museum and is an independent researcher specialised in Bronze Age archaeology. He will lead attendees through the enigmatic interpretation of the Welsh phenomenon of the halberd – a two-handed possible weapon, charting and explaining their rise and fall in prehistoric times.

The second guest keynote speaker is Paul Belford, Director of Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) which helps protect, rescue, record and interpret all aspects of the historic landscape, will present new evidence from recent investigations, including Offa’s Dyke.

Other speakers will include Dr Peter Wakelin, Director of Collections & Research, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales who will expand the understanding of the importance of the numerous sites awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in Wales.

During the conference, Dr Mark Redknap, Head of Collections & Research in the Dept of History & Archaeology at National Museum Cardiff and director of the excavation of the Viking Age settlement at Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey will update the attendees with the most recent results and analysis.

There will also be talks by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales curators: Edward Besly will present an update of his research on hoards of the Civil War time, Robert Protheroe-Jones will provide an insight into the importance of artworks in interpreting early modern industrial sites and Mark Lodwick, Finds Co-ordinator for the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales (PAS Cymru),will present a selection of recent interesting and unusual finds recorded.

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

Admission to all Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.

 

ENDS

Note to Editors:

The Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales (PAS Cymru) is a mechanism to record and publish archaeological finds made by members of the public. It has proved a highly effective means of capturing vital archaeological information while engaging with non-traditional museum audiences and communities.