03 October 2007

Schoolchildren 'dig it' thanks to Time Team and Ordnance Survey

A dozen schoolchildren from across Britain, who won a competition run by Ordnance Survey, spent the day with Channel 4’s Time Team to help discover the remains of a Roman villa.

The lucky winners met with presenter Tony Robinson and the rest of Time Team in Gloucestershire, where an exciting dig had already begun for the show’s new series. The winners were able to tour the trenches and be on hand as a beautiful Roman mosaic, ancient coins and pottery were uncovered.

The competition was run as part of the national mapping agency’s annual Free maps for 11-year-olds initiative, which offers every Year 7 pupil in the country a free map. It is one of the largest educational resource initiatives of its kind, with up to 750,000 pupils benefiting from a gift of a detailed OS Explorer Map each year.

Winners had to answer questions on map symbols and suggest a special site for a Time Team dig.

The children were given the chance to learn about how a programme like Time Team is put together, including how Ordnance Survey maps are used to interpret the historic landscape. The pupils were able to have a go at using the geophysics equipment that allows archaeologists to picture what is underground before even starting to dig.

Experts explained how to handle, wash and categorise the delicate finds and answered questions on what it takes to become an archaeologist.

Tony Robinson, who is president of the Young Archaeologists’ Club, comments, "Time Team is about making people excited about archaeology, so it was wonderful to have the children with us and to see their enthusiasm.

"And it’s great, as always, to have the support of Ordnance Survey. Our experts rely on them to help me and the viewers understand the context of our sites – you can only usually work out why things are where they are by studying the maps."

Elaine Owen, Ordnance Survey’s Senior Education Manager, says, “We’re delighted that the children enjoyed their day with Time Team and were inspired by what they learnt. The Free maps for 11-year-olds scheme is all about encouraging young people to take an interest in the world around them.

"Every school in the country still has the chance to order their pupils’ maps for the 2007 scheme and enter this year’s competition to spend a day with Ray Mears. Teachers can contact 0845 337 3133 or visit our website for more information."

Almost 4 million maps have been given away to Year 7 pupils across Great Britain since the initiative began in 2002. To take advantage of this year’s offer, orders have to be placed by 9 November on the Ordnance Survey free maps website – www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/freemapsfor11yearolds.

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