OPEN:Fading Star - Shining light: Integrating an evidence-based decision support system for in situ preservation of waterlogged archaeological remains
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Across the UK and Europe, a policy of preserving an archaeological site in situ (leaving it unexcavated) for the benefit of future generations is widely pursued, according with UK and EU government planning policy. However, recent research, notably a NERC-funded project focused on the Mesolithic site of Star Carr, indicates that this policy is not always advisable. In some cases, changing environmental conditions may accelerate the decay of organic remains such as bone and wood left in situ.
Waterlogged sites are most at risk, as they are more susceptible to environmental change; however, these are also the sites that contain an abundance of organic materials, which aren't preserved at other sites, making them valuable cultural assets. In the UK, examples of archaeologically significant waterlogged sites are abundant, and include Sweet Track (a prehistoric wooden trackway across the Somerset levels) and Must Farm (a Bronze Age site where recently numerous rare log boats have been excavated, and a wooden wheel, described by the excavators "unprecedented in terms of size and completeness").
A wealth of research into the factors contributing to successful in situ preservation has been carried out in both academic and cultural management sectors throughout Europe. Through this research it has become clear that a comprehensive assessment of potential environmental risks to a site, and the state of preservation of organic artefacts should be carried out prior to deciding how an archaeological site should be managed. However, there is currently a lack of standardisation of how this assessment is conducted.
The NERC-funded "Fading Star" PhD CASE studentship developed a number of cheap, easily applicable and informative tests by which organic preservation could be assessed and monitored. Levels of deterioration were then consolidated with geochemical data, allowing the effects of site geochemistry on organic preservation to be determined The aim of this proposal is to enable those tests to be utilised by the wider archaeological community to assess the preservation potential (and recognise rapid degradation) of other waterlogged sites.
Key to the success of this fellowship is working closely with Historic England, who currently provide guidance on preservation in situ, and archaeological field units, who undertake developer-funded assessments and excavations. This will allow the knowledge gained from the study at Star Carr to be successfully translated to people who work directly with archaeological excavations (ranging from archaeological professionals to volunteers), so that all relevant information can be taken into account both during and after excavations.
The principal outcome of the project will be the development of a decision-making tool that not only incorporates new and existing knowledge amalgamated from past and ongoing research projects, but also the wealth of knowledge from archaeological practitioners. This system will guide the user to make an assessment of the archaeological significance, possible environmental and geochemical risks to a site, and assess the current levels of organic preservation. This data will then be translated into realistic advice on how best to proceed with management of the site, whether it be to preserve in situ with or without a monitoring programme, conduct further investigations, or to proceed with a 'rescue excavation'. The assessment can also be used to recommend where attention should be focused post excavation; for example which artefacts need immediate conservation to prevent further decay and loss of archaeological information.
The availability of this tool directly addresses a recognised need to standardise the steps taken to successfully safeguard archaeological sites against changing environmental conditions, resulting in the preservation of our precious archaeological assets for future generations to both study and enjoy.
Waterlogged sites are most at risk, as they are more susceptible to environmental change; however, these are also the sites that contain an abundance of organic materials, which aren't preserved at other sites, making them valuable cultural assets. In the UK, examples of archaeologically significant waterlogged sites are abundant, and include Sweet Track (a prehistoric wooden trackway across the Somerset levels) and Must Farm (a Bronze Age site where recently numerous rare log boats have been excavated, and a wooden wheel, described by the excavators "unprecedented in terms of size and completeness").
A wealth of research into the factors contributing to successful in situ preservation has been carried out in both academic and cultural management sectors throughout Europe. Through this research it has become clear that a comprehensive assessment of potential environmental risks to a site, and the state of preservation of organic artefacts should be carried out prior to deciding how an archaeological site should be managed. However, there is currently a lack of standardisation of how this assessment is conducted.
The NERC-funded "Fading Star" PhD CASE studentship developed a number of cheap, easily applicable and informative tests by which organic preservation could be assessed and monitored. Levels of deterioration were then consolidated with geochemical data, allowing the effects of site geochemistry on organic preservation to be determined The aim of this proposal is to enable those tests to be utilised by the wider archaeological community to assess the preservation potential (and recognise rapid degradation) of other waterlogged sites.
Key to the success of this fellowship is working closely with Historic England, who currently provide guidance on preservation in situ, and archaeological field units, who undertake developer-funded assessments and excavations. This will allow the knowledge gained from the study at Star Carr to be successfully translated to people who work directly with archaeological excavations (ranging from archaeological professionals to volunteers), so that all relevant information can be taken into account both during and after excavations.
The principal outcome of the project will be the development of a decision-making tool that not only incorporates new and existing knowledge amalgamated from past and ongoing research projects, but also the wealth of knowledge from archaeological practitioners. This system will guide the user to make an assessment of the archaeological significance, possible environmental and geochemical risks to a site, and assess the current levels of organic preservation. This data will then be translated into realistic advice on how best to proceed with management of the site, whether it be to preserve in situ with or without a monitoring programme, conduct further investigations, or to proceed with a 'rescue excavation'. The assessment can also be used to recommend where attention should be focused post excavation; for example which artefacts need immediate conservation to prevent further decay and loss of archaeological information.
The availability of this tool directly addresses a recognised need to standardise the steps taken to successfully safeguard archaeological sites against changing environmental conditions, resulting in the preservation of our precious archaeological assets for future generations to both study and enjoy.
People |
ORCID iD |
Kirsty High (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Dickinson E
(2022)
The use of infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics to investigate deterioration in vegetable tanned leather: potential applications in heritage science
in Heritage Science
Analytical Methods Committee Amctb No
(2021)
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of organic archaeological materials: background paper.
in Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications
High K
(2020)
A review of analytical methods for assessing preservation in waterlogged archaeological wood and their application in practice
in Heritage Science
Penkman, K.
(2018)
Through the looking-glass, and what amino acids found there.
Description | The initiation of the project has started dialogues between project partners and other stakeholders that are likely to be incredibly valuable in the long run. By collaborating with a wide range of people, from both academic and non-academic institutions, the project is somewhat playing the role of an impartial link between the two, which shows promise for successful outputs in the future. The dialogues opened up may start to facilitate a change in perspective within these institutions. |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Other |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Description | Outreach grant |
Amount | £1,550 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
Description | Royal Society of Chemistry - Summer Studentship |
Amount | £1,440 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Historic England (project partners) |
Organisation | Historic England |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | This project will be heavily directed by the needs identified by Historic England, and as a result contributions are anticipated to be high. So far, the project has achieved less tangible outcomes, such as getting groups of people together to talk about issues that the project will cover, and started conversations and dialogues within the organisation around the area of preservation in situ. I also contributed to a conference session on preservation in situ co-organised by Historic England. |
Collaborator Contribution | Historic England staff contribute staff time to the project in advisory roles. So far, this has constituted meetings and providing advice on what routes the project should take. An initial project meeting was also held at HE's research base in Portsmouth, for which they covered costs. |
Impact | No tangible outcomes yet. The collaboration is interdisciplinary and with a non-academic organisation (HE). The disciplines covered are: Chemistry, Archaeology, Heritage Management |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Natural England |
Organisation | Natural England |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I have been involved in an advisory role on an ongoing monitoring project on a Neoltihic trackway in Hatfield Moor National Nature reserve. Over the next year, it is anticipated that this role will develop, as a large project is planned by Natural England surrounding the trackway, in which I will be involved. |
Collaborator Contribution | Natural England have provided me with access to data on the monitoring project, and access to the site to observe the project. |
Impact | Outcomes so far have been the generation of data. Continued involvement over the next 12 months is anticipated to yield further data, which will be written into a case study for publication. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary, covering: Chemistry, Archaeology, Land management, Geochemistry, Heritage Management |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Somerset Archaeology projects |
Organisation | South West Heritage Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I have acted in an advisory role on a monitoring project surrounding the Neolithic trackway of Sweet Track, and have conducted a condition assessment of archaeological material from both Sweet Track and Glastonbury Lake Village; two important projects involving in situ preservation and monitoring of environmental conditions. |
Collaborator Contribution | South West Heritage Trust have provided me with archaeological material for analysis. The data form these analysis benefit themselves, but will also contribute to development of guidelines for best practise for analysis, anticipated to be the primary outcome of this project. In addition, they have provided me with monitoring data and access to Sweet Track during the installation of monitoring equipment, and ongoing involvement in decisions made at the site. This access to data and the processes in decision making is critical to my wider understanding of the issues surrounding the project. |
Impact | Outputs so far are the data generated, which will be critical to the success of the project and published over the next 12 months. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary, covering: Chemistry, Archaeology, Heritage Management, Geochemistry. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | York Archaeological Trust (project partners) |
Organisation | York Archaeological Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Collaboration is in early stages, although it is anticipated that the project will provide data that YAT will utilise in the day to day management of archaeological sites. Over the next year, this will be in the form of an extensive literature review and subsequent guidelines of best practise for the assessment of archaeological materials. |
Collaborator Contribution | YAT have so far provided staff advice and unpublished data to contribute to a literature review. They have also provided archaeological material for analysis (bone from Hungate excavations, wood from Flag Fen and a Neolithic timber). This material is critical for developing guidelines of best practise for analysis. |
Impact | This collaboration has existed since a previous related grant (a CASE studentship). The outputs of this studentship were; two journal articles, two conference proceedings, contribution to a monograph, a PhD thesis, and the successful attainment of the current Knowledge Exchange Fellowship, which will continue the work from the studentship. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Article written for "The Conversation" on in situ preservation in wetland sites |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An article was written for "The Conversation" on the work at Star Carr on chemical degradation of organic artefacts, and the importance of understanding these types of deposits when pursuing the policy of in situ preservation of archaeological deposits. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/environmental-change-could-be-damaging-some-of-the-worlds-most-precious-... |
Description | BBC Radio York interview on degradation at Star Carr |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Radio interview with BBC Radio York on the research undertaken on chemical degradation at Star Carr, and the steps taken to move forward at this and other sites. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Chem@Work event |
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 | Workshop activity based around our research which was undertaken by ~ 100 KS4 schoolchildren. Sparked questions and discussions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Chemistry at Work |
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 | Schools workshops, delivering "Analysing the Past: The chemistry of a bog body" in workshop format to groups of KS4 pupils as part of the 'Chemistry at Work' initiative. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Conference presentation: Knowledge Exchange between academia and heritage management: Achieving long term impact |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Oral presentation at 5th SEAHA international conference, University of Oxford, 1st-3rd April 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Creation of project website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The project website was designed and made available through the internet. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://sites.google.com/a/york.ac.uk/fading-star---shining-light-nerc-knowledge-exchange-fellowship... |
Description | Interview for "Analytical Scientist" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Kirsty Penkman was interviewed for the "Analytical Scientist" magazine, which resulted in a multi-page article. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://theanalyticalscientist.com/issues/1117/on-the-dating-scene/ |
Description | Invited lecture: Manchester Metropolitan University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture to the Chemistry and related departments at Manchester Metropolitan University, at which our research was showcased. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Invited lecture: University of Reading |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture to the Chemistry and related departments at University of Reading, at which our research was showcased. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Invited lecture: the Open University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture to the Chemistry and related departments at the Open University, at which our research was showcased. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Invited talk to celebrate 10 years of Gold Athena Swan at York Chemistry, May 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Talk given which showcased our research and the power of collaborating across disciplines. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited talk to school students from Archbishops Holgate School at the National Science Learning Centre |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk given to showcase our research to school students, parents and the general public, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited talk, Royal Society of Chemistry Yorkshire section, Leeds, March 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture to the Royal Society of Chemistry Yorkshire secion, at which our research was showcased. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited talk: The role of analytical chemistry in protecting cultural heritage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited to give a talk at the Royal Society of Chemistry Emerging Analytical Professionals conference, Leeds 10/05/2019-12/05/2019. Following the talk, I made connections with the heritage science advisory group within the RSC and have since written a technical brief for them. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Lunchtime seminar at Historic England research group meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited to give a lunchtime talk at Historic England workshop on conservation science (meeting entitled: Where are we now and what do we need to do next?) The talk was at the Historic York offices but live streamed to other regional offices. The talk was entitled: "Translating academic research into useable tools: The case of in situ preservation (deterioration) of organic materials" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Media coverage - PNAS paper |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Following the publication of the PNAS article "Lessons from Star Carr on the vulnerability of archaeological remains to environmental change" I was in contact with several media outlets. This resulted in several news articles related to the paper, which lays out the issues to be addressed in this Fellowship. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37826894 |
Description | Membership of EU working group for standardisation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I participate as the UK expert in a working group that is writing EU standards for the assessment of archaeological waterlogged wood. At the moment, this involves bi annual meetings to write the standards, and these will be available to members of the heritage community (archaeologists, conservators, museum staff) once published. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Physical Geography Research Group Seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presentation given about the wider issues addressed within the research fellowship, at a departmental seminar in the Environment Department, University of York. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Pittcon Analytical Chemistry conference, Chicago, March 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Keynote speech at major international conference. Key contacts made. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Poster at INQUA conference, Dublin, July 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Poster Presentation at the 2019 INQUA (International Quaternary) congress, Dublin. Details: Kirsty Penkman, Beatrice Demarchi, Molly Crisp, Peter Tomiak, Marc Dickinson, Lucy Wheeler, Martina Conti & Sheila Taylor, 2019. Through the Looking-Glass, and What Amino Acids Found There. INQUA 2019 Congress, Dublin, Ireland. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.inqua2019.org/ |
Description | Poster presentation: Standardising methods for assessing the condition of archaeological wood |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A poster entitled "Standardising methods for assessing the condition of archaeological wood" was presented at a symposium on wooden built heritage run by ICOMOS in September 2018. This was an opportunity to engage with a new group of people, mainly consisting of professional practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Poster presentation: The value of wetlands to archaeology and the Historic Environment |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | On three occasions in 2018, I co-presented a poster with a collaborator from Historic England at peatland and palaeoecology focused conferences. The aim was to raise the profile of the Historic Environment within these fields. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation at Chartered Institute for Archaeologists annual conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A presentation was given at a session on Research Impacting Practice at the annual CIfA conference, April 2018. The talk generated a lot of interest, and reached a group of people outside academia. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation: Standardizing methods for assessing the condition of archaeological artifacts |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A 20 minute presentation at the 14th ICOM-CC Wet Organic Archaeological Materials Working Group Conference, outlining the importance of using standardised techniques to assess preservation. This conference involves a huge amount of professionals working in relevant areas to the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Radio 4 Today Programme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave a short interview on the Today Program (Radio 4) on 1/11/2016. The interview relates to the publication in PNAS that lays out the issue that this Fellowship project aims to address. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Seminar talk: The deterioration of organic material in waterlogged environments |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Giving a short talk at the Yorkshire palaeo group online meeting, 21/10/2020. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Symposium involvement: Trans-disciplinary Conversations on Peatlands (UCC) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The symposium aimed to start conversations between all sorts of people involved in peatland research, including from the peat cutting industry, artists, ecologists, charities and academics. I presented a poster on the importance of archaeology in peatlands, and engaged in discussions with many of the other participants. As an outcome of these conversations, many people expressed that acknowledging the cultural heritage value of peatlands has an important role to play in peatland policy that is often overlooked. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Trackway Through Time public engagement |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A one day exhibition to launch the "Trackway Through Time" event at Hatfield Moor visitor centre. The event was focused on peatland archaeology and local archaeology, particularly the Hatfield moor trackway. We had a stand discussing the Chemistry of a Bog Body (financed by the Royal Society of Chemistry). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | York Festival of Ideas "Discovery Zone" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented our work at a public outreach event, with attendance by over 1500 individuals. The focus was on how chemistry can be used to understand the past, and through development of a range of activities around a "bog body", we were able to showcase the advances our research has made in this area. The feedback was excellent, with many reporting increased interest in science because of the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2018/community/discovery-zone-2/ |
Description | York Festival of Ideas "Science out of the lab" event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented our work at a public outreach event, with attendance by over 2500 individuals. The focus was on how chemistry can be used to understand the past, and through development of a range of activities around a "bog body", we were able to showcase the advances our research has made in this area. The feedback was excellent, with many reporting increased interest in science because of the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2017/community/science-out-lab-fri/ |
Description | York Festival of Ideas Science out of the Lab 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We presented a science fair style stall based on our research at a public outreach event, with attendance by over 2500 individuals. The focus was on how chemistry can be used to understand the past, and through development of a range of activities around a "bog body", we were able to showcase the advances our research has made in this area. The feedback was excellent, with many reporting increased interest in science because of the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Yornight 2020 public outreach |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented our work at a public outreach event, with attendance by over 3500 individuals. The focus was on how chemistry can be used to understand the past, and through development of a range of activities around a "bog body", we were able to showcase the advances our research has made in this area. The feedback was excellent, with many reporting increased interest in science because of the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/yornight/2020/ |