For our March session the MAYANS returned to the Avalon Archaeology Park near Shapwick.\u00a0 The session was run for us by Dr Richard Brunning from the South West Heritage Trust, and for this visit Richard had organised mosaic laying and Viking wood carving!\u00a0 After an introductory talk we split into two groups, one to work in the Roman building and the other in the Saxon long hall.<\/p>\n
The group in the Roman building were going to lay tesserae for part of the beautiful mosaic floor that Richard and the other volunteers at the Archaeology Park have been working on for over a year, and it was a real treat to be part of this special project.\u00a0 The MAYANS were supervised by Richard\u2019s friend Martin who had prepared two areas for us to work on.\u00a0 It was great to think that in years to come the MAYANS could return to the building and show their friends and family what they had done.<\/p>\n
The second group worked in the Saxon long hall where Richard showed them how to make the beautiful wood carvings that decorate the hall using chisels and wooden mallets.\u00a0 This was tricky work as the designs were quite complicated but the MAYANS soon got the hang of it.\u00a0 It really made you realise how much work has gone into the reconstruction of these buildings!<\/p>\n
After a break the groups swapped over so everyone could have a go at both activities.\u00a0 The Archaeology Park is such a wonderful place for our members to visit with its amazing reconstructed buildings and exciting activities.\u00a0 A big thank you to Richard and Martin for inviting us back and for all their help and support for MAYA!<\/p>\n\n\t\t