Stones of Contention: lithics and the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition in Cumbria
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Central Lancashire
Department Name: Sch of Forensic and Applied Sciences
Abstract
This project is investigating the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition in Cumbria, building on the discovery of the exceptionally well preserved site at Stainton West discovered by Oxford Archaeology in advance of the Carlisle Northern Development Route. The studentship will contextualise this and other important recent discoveries in Cumbria. Archaeological data form the region is particularly well preserved as collections of stone tools and fossil plant remains. These two categories of evidence will form the basis of two linked investigations concerned with human transformations of material culture and the natural world.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Vicki Cummings (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Robert Leedham (Student) |
| Description | Lancashire Science Festival 2019 - Exhibitor |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I set up and ran a temporary exhibition stall with Nathaniel Welsby at the Lancashire Science festival in 2019. This focused on engaging with schools as well as members of the general public over the course of three days. It was based to communicate the senses relating to our research into the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Cumbria. It looked at how senses could be used to communicate how prehistoric Hunter-Gatherers may have lived. This connected with things like touching and handling stone tool artefacts to being able to look at and understand environmental pollen. These types of activity were used as a mode of communicating our research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Lancashire Science Festival 2019 - Science communicator |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I developed and ran a session on making stone tools aimed at KS2 school groups. The session was called 'Crash and Bang! Sounds, Stones and Toolmaking'. This gave a short talk about the science behind forces and sound created while making stone tools. This also had the kids within the school groups to participating in hands on activities to smash up 3 different types of sweets to see how they fractured as a proxy for different types of stone. it also demonstrated forces and sounds that can be created while making stone tools. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Lancashire Science Festival on tour - Science communicator |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This activity involved teaching a small group of Youths from Blackburn youth zone how to make stone tools. The idea was that they developed and learnt these skills to be able to demonstrate this to members of the public at an organised event and then pass on their knowledge of what they had learnt from the sessions that I ran. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | The Archaeology of Stainton West and understanding the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition of Cumbria through lithics. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an hour talk to the Wyre archaeological group about the research project and the subject of the PhD. It was aimed at the general public and their general level of knowledge about the subject, but most members had some basic level of understanding archaeology. The Presentation was formed of an hour power-point presentation in which I was the sole presenter. I gave an introduction to the subject as well as the specialism of lithic studies and the challenges that the research has in answering questions regarding the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition. I had around 4-5 questions from engaged members of the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |