Education

Monuments and Buildings Record Welcomes Belfast’s Young Archaeologists Club

The Monuments and Buildings Record (MBR) opened on Saturday 13 February to host the Belfast Branch of the Young Archaeologists Club (YAC). Over 20 enthusiastic young archaeologists learned how to use the MBR for archaeological research.

The Belfast Branch of YAC is based at Queen’s University Belfast. The club is part of a nationwide network which originated in 1972 and is now looked after by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA). The Belfast branch currently has 50 members and meets once a month. Sessions cover a range of archaeological subjects and are complimented by fieldtrips to local sites of archaeological and historical interest. In 2009 members of the club visited Devenish, County Fermanagh and Greyabbey County Down.

Although the YAC members ranged from only 9 to 14 years of age, they had no difficulty mastering the NIEA Built Heritage online MapViewer and the MBR’s databases. The young archaeologists all had a chance to examine, draw and describe artefacts recovered from excavations. Led by clues, they searched the photographic archives and MBR library for information on archaeological monuments and historic buildings. Those who had managed to complete all these tasks raced to complete an archaeological timeline in record speed.

The YAC members and their group leaders all thoroughly enjoyed the day and NIEA staff are looking forward to hosting similar sessions in the future.

The MBR’s public research room is open from Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm (apart from 1:00 to 2:00pm). NIEA staff can provide talks and introductory sessions on how to use the MBR resources and welcome enquiries from groups.