Calling all young explorers! Join us for a free, hands-on archaeology workshop designed for kids aged 7 to 12 to celebrate Archaeology Week. In this workshop, you'll have the chance to excavate items from your own mini dig, just like a real archaeologist. In teams of two, you’ll carefully uncover hidden artifacts and learn about the tools and techniques used in the field. It's a great way to get a taste of what archaeology is all about.

After you've found your items, you'll move on to cleaning, sorting, and cataloguing them. This part of the workshop will teach you how to handle artifacts with care and understand their importance. You'll use brushes and other tools to gently clean your discoveries and sort them into categories, learning how archaeologists organise their finds.

Finally, you'll analyse the results of your dig. What can these artifacts tell us about the past? You'll work together to piece together the story behind your discoveries.

This workshop is free of charge and open to ten children only, with reservation essential. It's a wonderful opportunity to explore archaeology in a fun and educational setting.

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WHAT ELSE IS ON FOR ARCHAEOLOGY DAY AT TE WAIMATE MISSION

Enjoy a day of Archaeology at Te Waimate Mission for New Zealand Archaeology Week, where there will be something for everyone. On Saturday 3 May, we have a free workshop for budding young explorers, a guided walk through time in the grounds, archaeology displays and an archaeology mission to solve.

Te Waimate Mission House is open from 10am to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday from May to October, including Archaeology Day.

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Wear old clothes and be prepared to get a bit mucky!
Bring morning tea and a water bottle
This event will be under cover of a marquee, but in extreme weather we will postpone to a later date (you'll be notified by email)
Bring a phone/camera to take photographs of your archaeology finds