PUPILS from Chiseldon Primary School travelled back to Anglo-Saxon times when they saw 1,000-year-old artefacts discovered around Swindon in their classrooms.
The Swindon Museum and Art Gallery’s pop-up museum let children study closely four rare coins unearthed just minutes away from the school in 2017 and 2018. The silver sceats - small, thick coins - feature images of peacocks, wolves and warriors and date from between 720 and 745AD. One of the coins was bought by the museum during lockdown.
The children became history detectives for the day as they examined weapons found in an Anglo-Saxon grave, including a sword, spearheads, and parts of a shield. These 7th century artefacts were uncovered between Chiseldon and Wroughton in 2000 and are now in the care of the museum. The objects are believed to have belonged to a local warrior of high status.
The excited youngsters got the chance to dress in a replica Anglo-Saxon costume, see original Anglo-Saxon combs, and wield a replica shield. All 180 children at the school, from years 1 to 6, took part in the Pop-Up Museum visit.
Deputy headteacher Nick Hatcliffe said: “This was a really important opportunity to share local heritage and for children to be able to compare and contrast their own lives and those of children in Chiseldon over a thousand years ago.
"It was a fantastic way to bring history to life and to add an extra dimension to pupils’ learning.”
Chiseldon Primary is one of 27 partner schools currently working with SMAG as part of their Schools Outreach Programme.
Learning officer Mags Parker added: “This was a really special opportunity for us and for pupils. It is very rare that artefacts of this age make it out of museums, so this was a unique way of helping pupils get up-close and personal with history.
"It was a powerful experience for pupils to see genuine artefacts, over 1,000 years old, which have recently been unearthed on their own doorsteps. A great opportunity to go time-travelling!”
The coins studied by the children were purchased through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, a project managed by the British Museum which records archaeological finds discovered by the public.
Anyone who has found interesting archaeological objects locally is invited to have them assessed by the Wiltshire Finds Liaison Officer on March 25 at the Steam Museum between 11am and 3pm.
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