Extramural Studies
In addition to regular monthly meetings and digs, WAG is engaged in other activities
Museum trips WAG went to the Victoria and Albert Museum in November to try to gather further information about
mediterranean artefacts in the Wolverhampton Art gallery collection (see below) and to identify pottery fragments
found at Gnosall. The day was completed by a visit to the Natural History museum to see the dinosaurs (at Emma's request)
and a quick walk to Buckingham Palace. Jan found some great train tickets, £20 return including the tube.
On January 8th, we are going to the British Museum to view the Egypt collection and to visit the 3D mummy show in
preparation for our trip to Egypt. We hope to continue on to the Science Museum in the afternoon.
Further museum visits will include a trip to Manchester Museum.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery WAG has been asked to look at some artefacts belonging to
the Art Gallery. Several members have given up their Saturday mornings to photograph and
study these. There are 3 main themes:
- Lindy Lou Artefacts obtained during excavation around Lindy Lou have been revisited and photographed
to see if any more could be added to the original report. Photographs, descriptions and an article will be
prepared for possible inclusion in the Art Gallery's website.
- Mediterranean collection These artefacts originate from collections given to the Art Gallery and come
mainly from Cyprus, Egypt and Mesopotamia. They have been photographed and these, together with descriptions
will be used on the Art Gallery's website.
- Canopic Jar We had great fun translating the inscription on this jar. Again, details should appear on the Art
Gallery's website.
This work is still on-going, we need to complete photographing artefacts to reference material standard and to continue
to identify and describe some of the items.
Seminars
These are the first five. Others can be arranged if there is a demand for them. They are intended to instruct members in
various techniques and could include photography,use of the video camera, theodolite, GPS and many more.
- Gnosall pottery finds research This took place in September when members gathered to count and identify the
pottery finds obtained at Gnosall in 2003. This is almost complete and then there is 2004 to do. It was a fascinating
evening and it was good to be able to look at the finds and share in their identification.
- Interpreting geophysics This evening is to come, when Martin will explain how the geophysics
data are downloaded and describe ways of manipulating it before displaying it.
- Pottery drawing Bryony has volunteered to conduct a master class in pottery drawing, possibly in February.
- Global Positioning Satellites This has been arranged for Wednesday April 13th at Ibstock so that members can
see the new GPS equipment and have a go at using it. Start time is 8pm
- Photography Martin hopes to demonstrate the Group's new camera and show its use in photographing
the items from the Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Egypt Jan found that lots of WAG members wanted to join us in our holiday to Egypt. This is due to take place
in mid February. We shall be going to Luxor for a week and visting most of the sites there.