A fragment of worked flint, pieces of a glass bottle, bones of a small mammal, a clay pipe – these were just a few of the finds made by London teenagers taking part in a dig in the village of Girton earlier this week.

 

Twenty-two pupils from two schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets were in Cambridge for a four-day visit organised jointly by Clare College, through its partnership with Tower Hamlets schools, and Access Cambridge Archaeology, a scheme set up in 2005 to raise aspirations through involving pupils in hands-on archaeology.

Under the supervision of Cambridge archaeologist and former Time Team presenter Carenza Lewis, the teenagers worked in teams to excavate six sites close to Girton church. Each group was led by a graduate student who taught the pupils the basic practical and recording skills needed to carry out a dig. The sites they used were offered by the local community, following an appeal made by the local vicar.

Chantelle James and Ann Tran (pictured), who go to Morpeth School, were thrilled to unearth pieces of Saxon and medieval pottery at the end of a private garden on Girton High Street. In the grounds of Girton Primary School, Rezwana Akthar, Syed Ali and Moujakkir Hussain, pupils at Oaklands School, discovered a 17th century clay pipe and the bones of a small animal, possibly a weasel.

“When we were told about the chance to come and see Cambridge University, I was really excited. I’m planning to study science not archaeology but I find history really interesting,” said Rezwana. “I’m really enjoying this – it’s so different to being at school,” said Moujakkir. “And Cambridge seems like a nice place.”

The pupils invited to take part in the visit are all doing well at school and have been identified by their teachers as having the potential to achieve academically. They come from one of the most deprived areas of the country where school performance, though improving, is below the national average, reflecting the multiple challenges faced by the community.

Will Knock, Schools Liaison Officer at Clare College, said: “It’s been exciting to see the students getting a taste of what studying at university might be like - particularly in a subject they are unlikely to have considered before.

“I’m really glad to hear so many of them talking about how inspired they now are to work hard at their GCSEs and A-levels, get good grades, and attend a top university. It’s nice to know that we can make a difference.”

The event was funded by Tower Hamlets Aimhigher, Clare College and the Higher Education Field Academy with all costs covered for the pupils taking part.
 

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