Archaeology
Some say Archaeology is the study of old rubbish. Sounds boring but it is really about trying to understand what our great great…great grand parents got up - their behaviour and culture - going back from recent times into the mists of pre-history. Our Group, now 10 years old, has great fun trying to learn a little bit more about it all.
In 2004 we started a third four year cycle beginning with the first humanoids of five million years ago. However it has not been a repeat of the previous cycle because remarkable new evidence from excavations has emerged and there has been a surge of new scientific techniques - particularly evolutionary genetics.
In the 2004/5 Winter Programme we started with the origins of modern humans and the populating of the world. Then with the help of the Language Groups we ran an open series of meetings on the Origins and Evolution of Language. In December Prof Steven Mithen of Reading University talked about language in pre-history. Then in January and February our members presented talks on the origins of European languages. It was a great success so a similar open series will be held in January and February 2006 on the Origins of Musicality & Music. Prof Mithen has kindly agreed to return for the first talk.
Our summer visits again benefited from good weather and excellent talks (and lunches). These included Eton College Egyptian Myers Museum, Seven Barrows/Uffington Castle/Waylands Smithy, Cirencester's Corinium Museum and the Reading University excavation at Silchester. The winter programme started again with the 'origins' theme with talks on Kingdoms & States, and Writing.
The group meets monthly on the morning of the fourth Thursday. New members welcome.
Alan Povall November 2005