Flint knapping - the process of shaping a piece of flint into a tool - was an extremely popular attraction throughout the day. Photo Chloé Titcomb © 24 Hour Museum / Renaissance East Midlands

The 24 Hour Museum's East Midlands journalist, Chloé Titcomb, journeys back to the prehistoric era for a Museums and Galleries Month event at Derby Museum.

As Museums and Galleries Month 2007 draws to a close, there was still time for one more action-packed day at Derby Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday May 26.

To explore the theme of the month, ‘People - who are we?’ from another angle, the day focused on stepping back in time to the Bronze and Neolithic eras. A day full of archaeological activities, including flint knapping, making clay pots and green woodworking, attracted all ages.

“There’s something for all ages here today,” said Emma Lance, Community Learning Officer. “We want everyone to get really involved and excited about archaeology.”

It was also an apt day to launch and highlight Derby Museum and Art Gallery’s current community archaeological project, Linking Landscapes, which aims to engage people who may not normally be inspired by the prehistoric archaeology of the county and show them how exciting and fascinating it can be.

Jonathan Wallis, assistant head of museums, gives a demonstration of green woodworking. Photo Chloé Titcomb © 24 Hour Museum / Renaissance East Midlands

Linking Landscapes will explore the relevance of archaeology to the lives of local people and others around the world. “Archaeology connects us all, it doesn’t matter if you’re from Derby or live in Africa,” added Emma. “There are so many similarities, especially in prehistoric archaeology.”

Two community groups, Number One Community Centre and the Open Doors Community Group will both choose 15 children, from the ages of seven to twelve to take part in the project. Parents and guardians will also hopefully be taking part and accompanying their children on visits to archaeological sites including the Arbor Low stone circle – one of the most important pre-historic sites in Derbyshire.

The children will work closely with artist Sean Harris, who specialises in using archaeology and myths to create unusual animation film pieces. Showing throughout the day was an example of Sean’s works to give people could an idea of the type of work he produces.

Children enjoyed getting their hands dirty whilst making archaeological artefacts. Photo Chloé Titcomb © 24 Hour Museum / Renaissance East Midlands

The final piece created from the Linking Landscapes project will be shown around community groups and schools before going on display in Derby Museum and Art Gallery in November 2007 until January 2008.

On the day fascinating demonstrations were given in both flint knapping and green woodworking. There is evidence of flint knapping - the process of shaping a piece of flint into a tool - first being used in Britain over 500,000 years ago and it was an extremely popular attraction throughout the day.

Equally enthralling was watching Jonathan Wallis, Assistant Head of Museums, turn a branch into a spatula or spoon in under 20 minutes using just an axe, which he had also made himself. Although not surprisingly, there weren’t many who were overly keen to eat with it.

Children, and adults, revelled in getting their hands dirty in the process of making their very own replica archaeological artefacts as they made clay beaker pots. Girls were also particularly engrossed in creating their own Bronze Age jewellery, while the boys needed a bit more persuasion that warriors did in fact wear them before they succumbed to making Bronze Age torques.

Staff were on hand to demonstrate how to handle archaeological artefacts and explain what different items were. Photo Chloé Titcomb © 24 Hour Museum / Renaissance East Midlands

Rachel Atherton, Keeper of Archaeology and Finds Officer for Derby Museum, was also on hand to demonstrate how to handle archaeological artefacts and explain what different items were. There was also the opportunity for keen archaeologists to bring in artefacts they have found to be identified by Rachel.

The day was a fascinating look at how archaeology can link the past to the present and all ages enjoyed the activities, proudly clutching their new clay pots as they enjoyed the archaeological artefacts on display in the museum.

Chloé Titcomb is a Renaissance-funded student journalist covering MGM events in the East Midlands. Renaissance is the groundbreaking initiative to transform England's regional museums, led by MLA, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.