The experiential dig was delivered as part of Queen’s University Belfast’s community archaeology outreach activities, supported by the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) based in the University’s Centre for Community Archaeology. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the objective of CAPNI is to inspire and engage diverse communities with their local archaeological heritage through a range of outreach activities designed to enable the public to learn about, appreciate and participate in archaeological fieldwork and associated activities.

The field work this week builds upon partnership work between Queen’s University Belfast and the Greater Shankill Partnership, which has already produced a review of the Built Heritage of the area.  Schools and community groups will partake in activities emerging from the partnership.

Dr Heather Montgomery, Project Manager for the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland who facilitated the school excavation event said, “I am thrilled to welcome Glenwood Primary School and Belfast Boys Model Primary School today.  Excavations are the perfect outdoor classroom experience, enabling young people to explore their past in a really fun and interesting way while subtly offering a range of literacy, numeracy, arts and language learning opportunities”.

Find out more about the Centre for Community Archaeology here.