Post on 01-Jan-2017
HHCP_ed pack_SLEEVES.indd 1 9/10/09 13:29:36
Contents
IntroductiontoHamHill
EducationatHamHill
Introductiontotheeducationpack
HowtogettoHamHill
Backgroundinformation:
Mapshowingsuggestedlocationsforcarryingoutactivitiesandotherusefullocations
SUBJECT ACTIVITY OTHERSUBJECTLINKSHamHillhistorytourone GeographyHamHillhistorytourtwo GeographyKnowyourIronAgecommunitygame CitizenshipDiginaboxarchaeologistgame ArtandDesign
History:Localstudies,IronAgethroughtoVictorian
HamHillheritagetrail GeographyCompasstrails MathematicsOrienteering MathematicsMapreadingactivity Mathematics
Geography:Landscapestudiesandmapreading
HamHillgeographytour HistoryMinibeaststudies Mathematics&ArtanddesignMinibeastclassification MathematicsPlantsandhabitatsstudy ArtanddesignMammaltracking MathematicsOhDeer!Populationstudygame MathematicsHamHillbirdsstudy ArtanddesignSignsofSpringandsignsofAutumn ArtanddesignHamstonerockstudy History
Science:LifeprocessesandlivingthingsandRocks/geology
Rockcomparisonstudy HistoryCountrysidecodeinaction GeographyCitizenship:
HamHillrangertour History&GeographyScrappuppets History&CitizenshipWillowsculptures Geography&History
Artanddesign:
Shelterbuilding Citizenship&ScienceHistory EnglishGeography History&MathematicsScience Geography&Mathematics
KS3,4,5studyideas:
Citizenship GeographyNaturetrailHamHillwildlife ScienceStealthgames ScienceBlindfoldedassaultcourse English&PhysicalEducationScavengerhunt ScienceElimination ScienceParachutegames Science
Extraactivities:
HamHillwordsearch EnglishHamHillCountryParkManagementPlanHamHillGeologybookletRiskassessmentforeducationalactivities
Extraresources:
HamHillHeraldandotherleaflets
Introduction to Ham Hill
HamHillCountryParkisanimportantcountrysidesitetoallthosewhovisitit;itprovidespeoplewithalargegreenspacewithopenaccesstopursuevariousleisureactivitiessuchaswalking,picnicking,cycling,horseridingandmuchmore.ThepurposeofaCountryParkisexactlythat,toprovideaplacethathasanatural,ruralatmosphereforvisitorswhodonotnecessarilywanttogooutintothewidercountryside.
ButHamHillissomuchmorethanthat;ithasalongandfascinatinghistoryfromitsoccupationasBritainslargestIronAgehillfort,followedbytheRomanarmy,throughtothemedievalarea.ItisoneofthemostimportantgeologicallocalitiesinSomersetbecausetherocktypefoundhereissounique,andbecausemanygeologicalfeaturescanbeseenthenumerousexposures.ThegoldenHamstoneisoneofthereasonsforHamHill'sexcitingpastandit'scurrenthabitats.
ThereareawidevarietyofhabitatspresentonHamHill,someofwhicharearelicofextensivequarryingduringtheVictorianera,suchascalcareousgrasslandandrockyoutcrops.OthersarepresentmoreasaresultofHamHillbeingleftalonefornature;alandscapeprotectedfromdevelopment,suchaswoodlandsandmixedscrubthickets.HowevermuchofHamHillshabitatsarearesultoftheongoingmanagementoftheSouthSomersetDistrictCouncilRangerteam,whoworktoconserveHamHillshistoriccharacterandwildlifethatisassociatedwithvarioustypesofgrasslands,includingtraditionalhaymeadowsandgrazedpasture.
HamHillisnearly400acresinsize,andaswellasbeingavaluablerecreationalresource,itisprotectedbylawfortheareasofimportancementionedabove.MostoftheIronAgehillfortareaisprotectedataScheduledAncientMonument(SAM),mostofthelargesectionsofHamstonethatremainintactareconservedasaRegionallyImportantGeologicalSites(RIGS)and/oraSiteofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI),andmuchofthegrasslandshavebeenenteredintoHigherLevelStewardshipSchemes.ThewholeofHamHillCountryParkisalsodesignatedbyNaturalEnglandasaLocalNatureReserve,whichgivesithigherprotectionasasite.
HamHillismanagedbyafulltimeCountrysideRangerteam,employedbySouthSomersetDistrictCouncil(SSDC)andadedicatedteamofVolunteerRangers.Therangersensurethattheyprotectandconservethegeology,archaeologyandecologyofHamHill,whilstalsomanagingtheCountryParkforthehugeamountandrangeofvisitorsitattracts.MuchofthelandisownedbySSDC,althoughsomeareasareownedbytheDuchyofCornwallandotherlocallandowners,andhasbeengiftaidedtoSSDC.
FormoreinformationaboutHamHillCountryPark,pleasevisittheHamHillwebsite:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhillorlookattheHamhillHeraldandotherleaflets,whichareincludedinthispack.
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HamHillCountryPark,StokesubHamdon,Yeovil,SomersetTA146RW
Telephone:01935823617
Fax:01935822649
Email:hamhill@southsomerset.gov.uk
Website:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhill
Education at Ham Hill
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Background:EducationalgroupsofallageshavebeenvisitingHamHillformanyyearsbothtostudythediversehistory,landscape,rocksandfloraandfauna,aswellastakingpartinorienteering,teambuildingactivitiesandnaturewalks.Inrecentyearstherehasbeenanincreaseddemandforrangerledvisitsforbothschoolsandcommunitygroups,andforimprovedfacilities.ThisledtothedevelopmentoftheHamHillCentrethatopenedin2006withfundingfromSouthSomersetDistrictCouncilandtheCleanawayFund,whichisabuildingthathousestheRangersOfficeandtheEducationCentre.
TheEducationCentre:isafacilitythatcanaccommodateupto40children,withdisabledaccesstoilets(pleasenote,therearefourtoiletsaltogether),interactivewhiteboard,HamHillartefactsanddisplays,arangeoffieldstudiesequipmentandbooks,andartsandcraftresources.Thecentreisusuallyusedasanopenroomwherechildrensitonthefloorasforthemajorityofvisitsmosttimeisspentoutside,howevertherearechairsandtablesincupboardsifnecessary.Thecentrecanbebookedalldayforeducationalvisitsallyearround,butpleasemakesurebookingsaremadewellinadvanceforthesummerterm.
HeritageLotteryFundProject:IncreaseddemandforrangerledsessionsatHamHillledtoasuccessfulfundingbidtotheHeritageLotteryFund,whichforathreeyearperiodfrom20072009fundedafulltimeEducationOfficerpostatHamHill.AswellasintroducingmoreschoolsandcommunitygroupstoHamHillCountryPark,thefundinghasbeenusedtodevelopanewwebsiteforHamHill,newleaflets,audiotrails,andthiseducationpack,inordertoallowteachersandgroupleaderstocontinueusingHamHillforeducationsessionslongintothefuture.
AccessibilityofHamHill:AspartoftheHeritageLotteryFundgrant,therehavebeenotherrecentimprovementsandadditionstoHamHillsfacilities,includingwheelchairaccessiblebarbequefacilitiesandbenches,anoutdoorclassroom(amphitheatrestyleseatingoutsidetheeducationcentre)andnewsurfacingoftheallabilitypath,whichleadstothewarmemorial.Anoffroadmobilityscooterisalsoavailableforhirefreeofcharge,shouldanyoneinyourgrouprequireit.
Rangerledsessions:Atthetimeofwritingthispack,itisunknownastowhethertherewillbeanEducationOfficerinpostinthefutureasthisissubjecttoexternalgrantfunding,whichifsuccessfulshouldbeconfirmedearlysummer2010.Shouldthisbeunsuccessful,therangerteamwillbeabletoleadaminimalamountofeducationalvisitsandwilltryandaccommodateyourgroupwherepossible.
QualityBadge:HamHillCountryParkstaffrealisetheimportanceofhighqualityandenjoyablelearningexperiencescoupledwithahighstandardofhealthandsafety.HamHillhasbeenaccreditedbytheCouncilforLearningOutsidetheClassroom,bybeingawardedwiththeQualityBadge,whichwillbecomeanationalbenchmarkfortheprovisionofeducationalvisits.Teachers/groupleaderscanbeassuredthateducationproviderswiththeQualityBadgeofferswhatitsaysonthetin,takesaccountoftheneedsofusers,hasanemphasisonlearning/skillsoutcomesandoperatesinahealthyandsafeenvironment.
Introduction to the education pack
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Ham H
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Afascinatingandvariedhistory,uniqueandaccessiblegeology,diversehabitattypesandpanoramicviewsoftheSomersetlandscape,togetherwitheasyaccessandmodernfacilities;HamHilloffersnumerousstudyopportunitiesforallagesandabilities.
Subjectareas:OutlinedinthiseducationpackisarangeofactivityideasforHistory,Geography,Science,CitizenshipandArtandDesignstudies,astheseareprobablythekeyareasofstudythatcanbepursuedatHamHill.HoweverthereareendlesseducationopportunitiesavailableatHamHill,linkingwithallareasoftheNationalCurriculum.
Onthecontentspageallactivitieshavebeendividedintosubjectareas,wherecarryingouteachactivityhasclearlinkstoatleastoneofthelearningoutcomessuchasthedevelopmentofskillsandknowledgeandunderstandingelementsofeachsubject.Thesearebynomeansexclusivethough;foreachactivitytherearealsoclearlinksintomanyothersubjects,andmanyofthefollowonactivitieswouldlinkwithmanyotherareassuchasICTandEnglish.
KeyStages:TheactivitiesdetailedinthispackhavebeendevelopedforuseatKeyStage2,however,therearemanyactivitiesthatarealsosuitableforKeyStage1,andmanyoftheactivitiescouldbecarriedoutwithKeyStage1childrenbutwithnoworksheets.ManyoftheactivitiesarealsosuitableforKeyStage3,4,andeven5,particularlythemapandcompassactivitiesinthegeographysectionandmostoftheCitizenshipandArtandDesignactivities.ManyoftheotheractivitiescouldbeadaptedforuseatKeyStages3,4and5.
Practicalities:Includedinthispackarefull,clearinstructionsforteachers/groupleaders,detailingthepracticalitiesofeachactivity,suchaswhenitcanbecarriedoutmostcanbecarriedoutallyearroundbutsomeofthescienceactivitiesareseasonal.Alsoincludediswhereitshouldbecarriedout,astherearesetroutesandareasforsomeactivities,butmostarefairlyflexible.Alsoshownishowlongitshouldtakeinmostcasesthisisadaptabletosuitthetimeframeavailable,andwhatresourcesareneeded.Mostresourcesareitemsthatschoolsalreadyhavesuchasclipboardsandpencilsetc.orthesecanbeborrowedattheHamHillCentre.Allworksheetsandotherpupilresourcesareincludedinthispack,straightaftertheactivityinstructions.Learningoutcomes:Everyactivityhasclearlearningoutcomes,soitisquickandeasytoidentifyhowitwillfitintocurrenttopicsandschemesofwork,andwhatskillsandunderstandingthechildrenwilldevelopandgain.Thereisalsoinformationonwhattodobeforecarryingouteachactivity,inordertointroducethesubjectareaandtoensurechildrenbenefitasmuchaspossiblefromtheirvisittoHamHill.Carryingoutactivities:Foreachactivitytherearestepbystepinstructionsonhowtocarryouttheactivity,directionsonhowtogettocertainareas,thekeyhealthandsafetypointstobeawareof,detailsonfollowupactivitiesthatcanbecarriedoutinschoolafterthevisitandfurtheractivitiesatHamHillaswell.
How to get to Ham Hill Country Park
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HamHillCountryParkissituatedapproximately6milesfromYeovil,veryclosetotheA303.
ComingfromthewestoreastontheA303turnoffforCrewkerneandStokesubHamdonontheA356thenfollowthebrownsignstoHamHill.ThisshoulddirectyouundertheA303,takingthefirstleftintoStokesubHamdon.InthemiddleofthevillagenexttotheHalfMoonpubtaketherighthandturn,whichleadsyouupasteephill,andafterapproximatelyhalfamileyouareatHamHillCountryPark.IfcomingfromtheYeovildirection,followsignsfortheA30toCrewkerne.JustafteraroundaboutontheedgeofYeovilyouwillseeagarageonyourrightahead taketherighthandturnjustbeforeit,signpostedwithabrownsignforHamHill.Followthisroadfornearly4miles,passingthroughthevillageofOdcombeuntilyoureachHamHillCountryPark.ThegridreferenceofHamHillisST478168
HamHillCountryPark,StokesubHamdon,Yeovil,SomersetTA146RW
Telephone:01935823617
Fax:01935822649
Email:hamhill@southsomerset.gov.uk
Website:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhill
Minibeaststudies
FeaturesofHamstonestudy,mapreadingactivityandbeginnerscompasstrail
Minibeaststudies,Plantsandhabitatsstudy(grassland)andCountrysideCodeinaction
Startpointofadvancedcompasstrail
Suggestedrouteformammaltracking,SignsofspringandautumnandScavengerhunt
Minibeaststudies,Plantsandhabitatsstudy(woodland)andsuggestedlocationforShelterbuildingandmostoftheextraactivities
Recommendedcoachdropoffpoint
HamHillCentre
Picnicarea
HarveysQuarry
Warmemorial/monument
ToOdcombe
StokesubHamdon
Mapshowingsuggestedlocationsforcarryingoutactivitiesandotherusefullocations
Ham Hill History Tour one
Whattodo:ItispossibletocarryouttheHamHillHistorytoursusingtheinformationavailableontheHamHillwebsite:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhillandtheinformationgivenbelow.Usethemapgiventofindoutwhereeachofthestopsare,andthebestroutetotake.YoucouldalsousetheHamHillaudiotrail(trailone)whichisfreetodownloadfromthewebsitetocomplimentthetour.However,itisadvisabletobookamemberofHamHillstafftoleadthetourastheyalreadyahighlevelofknowledgeoftheaspectscoveredinthetour,andofthesiteingeneral.PleasecontacttheHamHillofficeon01935823617toarrangeatour.
Stop1TheHamHillCentreHamHillhasnotalwaysbeenaCountryParkaplaceforleisureandforwildlife.Itusedtobeanimportantplaceforpeopletolive,andthereusedtobealargevillageontopofthehillmanyyearsago.HamHillwasoccupiedbytheDrurotrigesIronAgetribefromaround750B.C.tothe1stcenturyA.D.ThetribethatthatlivedinthisarearefersnotjusttoHamHill,butamuchwiderarea,occupyingseveralcountiesintheSouthWestarea(althoughthelandwasnotdividedintocountiesasitisnow).Stop2TheIronAgeramparts
HamdonhillfortistheIronAgepartofHamHillCountryPark.ItisthelargesthillfortinBritain,withrampartsextending3miles,encompassinganareaofapproximately200acresinsize.HamHillhastwotothreeditchesandrampartsorridgesthatwereconstructedbytheDrurotrigesIronAgetribemanyyearsago,fromaround750B.C.tothe1stcenturyA.D.WhenHamdonhillfortwasoccupied,therampartswouldhavebeenkeptclearoftrees,sothattheycouldspotanypotentialenemyinvaders.Amazingly,theseearthworkswereconstructedbyhandwithtoolssuchasantlersandpickstheyfollowthenaturalcontoursofthehill.Theyweredefensivestructuresinordertodeterattackersfromneighbouringenemytribes.Alongthetopridgetherewouldprobablyhavebeenawoodenpalisadefenceratherlikearowoflargepencils,toprovideextraprotection.TheviewsfromthetopofHamHillareexcellent;thefactthatyoucouldseealongwayintothedistancewasoneofthereasonsearlysettlerschosethenaturalhighpointofHamHill;theywereabletoseeifanyenemieswereapproachingandprepareforbattle.
Ham
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Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: FromtheHamHillCentretothewarmemorial,usingtheNorthernsectionoftheparkHowlong: Approximately2hoursResources: Historytourworksheets,clipboards,pencils/pens
Learningexperiences: UnderstandingofHamHillshistory,primarilyoftheoccupationofHamHillduringtheIronAge(700B.C.A.D.43).UnderstandingoftheimportanceofHamHillasahistoricalsite,howithasbeenshapedundermansinfluencesandhowitcontinuestobetoday.ObservationandrecognitionofkeyhistoricalfeaturesonHamHill.Listeningandrecordingskillsinthefield.
Beforethesession:Usephotosshowingrampartsandartistsimpressions,andalsothehistoryinformationpanels(seeextraresources)andHamHillshistorypagesonline:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhilltointroducetheIronAgeperiodtochildren.AlsousetheBBCCeltswebsitewww.bbc.co.uk/wales/celtsontheinteractivewhiteboardforfun,educationalactivities.
DuetothefactthatHamHillsoccupantswouldhavebeenmuchhigherthantheirenemiesbelow,theslingstonesthattheyusedtodefendtheirhillfort(similartoacatapult),theyhadgravityontheirsidesowouldhavedonealotofdamagetoanyinvaders!Aswellasthereasonsgivenabove,thepeoplelivinginthispartofSomersetatthetimewouldalwayshavechosenhighergroundtosettleon,asmostofthelandisonlyafewmetresabovesealevelandwouldhavebeenfloodedformostoftheyear,apartfromafewmonthsduringthesummer.Stop3TheIronAgegatewayHereyoucanclearlyseeoneoftheoldentrancesthatleadinandoutofthehillfort,whichwouldhavehadlargewoodengates(seepictureonworksheets).Theotherentrancewaywasonthefarendofthehillfort,nearBatemoorBarns(rightnexttotheroadtoOdcombe).AlthoughthelandonHamHillwasfairlyplentifulintermsofagriculturallandforfoodproductionandtimberforconstructionandforfuel,thereweremanyresourcesthatcouldnotbeobtainedwiththeconfinesofthehillfort,suchasflintfortools,slingstonesfordefence,andofcoursewater!ThenearestspringisjustbelowthisgatewayandalsoinWitcombeValley,justoutsidethehillfortontheoppositesideofthehill.Thereforeitwasimportantthattherewereeasyroutesinandoutofthehillfort,aspeoplewereregularlycollectingresourcesandtradinggoods,justaswedoinourvillagesandtownstoday.However,theseroutesthatcutstraightthroughtherampartswerealsoeasyattackroutesforenemytribesandlaterfortheRomans,thereforetheywereheavilyguardedandwellfortifiedwithtallwoodengatesandfences.Theywouldnthavewantedtoomanyentrancewaysintothefort,ortherewouldhavebeentoomanyweakpointsthroughoutthefort,anditwouldbeawasteofguardsandwarriorsatahighdensitythatwouldhaveneededtohavebeenstationedoneachonewheretheycouldhavebeenmorespreadout,successfullydefendingtherampartsattimesofattack.TheRomansreferredtotheCeltsorIronAgepeopleasbeingbarbaricandbloodthirsty,butgenerallyitisthoughtthattheyweregenerallyverypeacefulpeople,onlyfightingwhenitwasnecessary,forexamplewhentheywerebeinginvadedbytheRomans!Stop4Warmemorial Fromherethereisafantasticalmost360viewoftheSomersetlandscapebelow;itisunderstandableheremorethananywhereelsewhyHamHillwassuchastrategicandsignificantplaceofoccupationduringtheIronAge.ApartfromtheBlackdownHillstothewest,thePoldenRidgetothenorthwiththeMendipsbeyond,itisalsoapparenthowflatandlowlyingtheSomersetlandscapeis,whichiswhyitusedtobefloodedformostoftheyear.ThiswasoneofthekeyreasonswhyinthisareainparticularintheSouthWest,livingonhilltopswasessential.TherewouldhavebeenverylittleevidenceofhabitationinthelowlandsbelowduringtheIronAgeperioditwouldprobablyhavebeenanextensivemarshyhabitat.DirectlybelowthebusyA303dualcarriagewayisalwaysanobviousfeatureinthelandscape,andthissectionofithasbeenformanyyears.ThevisiblestretchofroadthatrunswesttoeastpastHamHillwasoriginallypartoftheFosseWayacolossalRomanconstructiondatingbacktotheiroccupationofSouthernBritain(A.D.43A.D.410).Theoriginalroadstretched182milesfromExetertoLincolnviamajorRomancentressuchasBath,CirencesterandIlchester,almostexactlyinastraightline.ForthesectionoftheroadnearHamHill,Hamstonewasusedforsurfacingtheroad;itmusthavebeenquiteadeeplayerinordertoovercomethemarshyterrain.ManyRomanvillashavebeendiscoveredinthelocalareaatStanchester,Lufton,Dinnington,WestCoker,OdcombeandonHamHillitself,wherethereisalsoevidenceofaRomanequestriancampclosetothewarmemorial.Stop5StonecircleTheimpressiveHamstoneblocksthathavebeenmadeintoastonecirclewereerectedattheturnofthemillenniumbyRichardEngland,whosefamilyhasquarriedHamstonefromHamHillforthreegenerations.ThecircleisamonumenttoallthemenandwomenhaveworkedintheHamHillquarriesoverthelast2000years.Mostofthebuildingsinallthelocalvillagesandtowns,aremadefromHamstone,butevenasfarasExeterandLondonthereusedtobeademandforHamstone.Allofthestonewasdugbyhand,andlifewouldhavebeenverytoughasaquarryworkerorastonemason,whowouldhaveworkeduphereinallconditions.
Ham H
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TheRomansbeganquarryingtheHamstonenearly2000yearsago,notonlytobuildtheirimpressivevillasinthelocalarea,butalsotolaythesurfaceoftheFosseWay.ThereisalsoevidencethattheymadecoffinsoutoftheHamstoneandtransportedthemtoDorchester!ItwasntuntilthearrivaloftheNormansthatHamstonewasquarriedagain;ithascontinuedtobequarriedthroughoutHamHillfromthenuntilthepresentday.Stop6ViewfromthePrinceofWales
Withthepubbehindyou,lookacrosstothewoodedslope.BeneaththesetreesandbushesliepartoftheIronAgerampartsystem.Thesearespecialarchaeologicalfeatures,whicharepartofthedesignatedScheduledAncientMonument(S.A.M)statusthatcoversmuchoftheCountryPark.AmonumentisscheduledbyEnglishHeritageforeitheroneormoreofthefollowingreasons:
Extentofsurvival Currentcondition Rarity Representivity,eitherthroughdiversityorbecauseofoneimportantattribute Importanceoftheperiodtowhichthemonumentdates Fragility Connectiontoothermonumentsorgroupvalue Potentialtocontributetoourinformation,understandingandappreciation Extentofdocumentationenhancingthemonumentssignificance
ExamplesofotherScheduledAncientMonumentsareStonehenge,AveburyRocksandMaidenCastle.Overthecomingyearstherangerteamwillbegraduallyclearingaround80%ofthetreesfromtheslopeinordertoprotectthesefeatures,whilstleavingthemorematuretrees.TheyarerequiredtodosoundertheScheduledAncientMonumentagreement,whichisdesignedtoensurethatthehistoricalfeaturesareconserved.OncethetreesarefelledtheRangersusuallysellsomeofthelogslocally,andtheincomefromthisisputstraightbackintothemanagementoftheCountryPark.Manyofthelogsareleftinsituinlargepiles,whichcreateawarandmoistmicroclimate,idealforinvertebratesandsmallreptilesandmammalstohibernateandhideawayin.SomeofthelargerpiecesoftimberareusedforconstructionprojectsintheCountryPark(e.g.gateposts).
DiscussionPoints(thesearelinkedtoeachofthestops):1. WhatwouldHamHilllooklikeifwecouldgobackintimetotheIronAge?Itwouldbeabusy
hilltopvillagefullofroundhouses,andmuchofthelandwouldbefarmedforcropsandgrazedwithlivestock,thereforethereprobablywouldhavebeenfewertrees.Itwouldbeaflatplateauasnoneofthehamstonewouldhavebeenremoved,andnoneofthemodernmanmadefeaturessuchascarparksandfenceswouldexist.
2. HowwouldtherampartslookdifferentifwewerehereatthetimeoftheIronAge?Theywould
havenotreesandscrubgrowingonthem,andthebankswouldbehigherandtheditchesdeeper.
3. WhatotherresourcescanyouthinkofthatthepeoplelivingonHamHillwouldhavehadtoleavethehillfortfor?E.g.willowforbaskets,clayformakingpots
4. InwhatwaydoyouthinktheRomansweredifferenttotheCelts,ourancientancestors?They
wantedtobepowerfulandhavealargeempire,theyhaddevelopedlotsofnewtechnologiesandmethodse.g.buildingroadsandvillas,andtheyhadanorganisedarmyasopposedtowarriors
5. HowwouldthelandscapeherehavelookeddifferenthereduringtheIronAge?Thelargedipyou
arestoodinwherethestonecircleiswouldhavebeenatthesameheightastheclifffacesaroundyou,andthelumpsandbumpswouldnthavebeenthereastheyarearelictofquarrying.
6. Doyouthinkitsacceptablethatthetreesarebeingcutdowntoprotect thearchaeology?Havea
discussionaroundtheconflictofintereststhattherangershavetomanage,i.e.wildlife,archaeology,quarrying,geologyandrecreation.
Ham H
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Keyhealthandsafetypoints:SupervisionmakesureadultsarepositionedatthefrontandrearofthegroupsSteepdropswhilstwalkingalongridgeinstructchildrennottorunandtobesensiblealongtheridge
Mapshowingtherouteofthehistorytourpartone:
Followup:VisitanotherIronAgehillfortsuchasMaidenorCadburyCastleandcomparethetwosites.TheothersiteshavenotbeenquarriedordevelopedintoCountryParksthereforeareverydifferent.CarryoutahistorystudyontheRomans,perhapswithavisittotheYeovilMuseum,whichhasamockupRomanvilla(01935845946).ContacttheSouthSomersetDistrictCouncilHeritageTeamon01935462881whoareabletoofferRomansessionsinyourschoolinvolvingartefacts,Romanarmourandclothing. PlaytheKnowyourIronAgeCommunitygameandseefollowupactivitiesdetailedattheendofthatactivity.
Ham H
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Ham Hill History Tour one Stop 1 The Ham Hill Centre Look at the Iron Age panel in the centre to help you answer these 2 questions: When was Ham Hill occupied during the Iron Age? ___________________________________________ What was the name of the tribe that lived in this area? ___________________________________________
Stop 2 The Iron Age ramparts
Give three reasons why people chose to live on Ham Hill at the time of the Iron Age:
1. ________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________
Stop 3 Iron Age gateway
Why did the Iron Age settlers choose to have just 2 entrances to their hillfort? ____________________________________ ____________________________________
_______________________________________________ P.T.O.
Ham H
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Hello and welcome to Ham Hill Country Park! Today you will find out how humans have been making history on Ham Hill over thousands of yearsyour job is to listen carefully and answer all the questions as
you go round!
Stop 4 War memorial
Explain how would the view have looked different in the Iron Age: _____________________________________________ What is the name of the section of old Roman road you can see from here and what is its modern name? Stop 5 Stone circle Why and when was the stone circle erected? ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ The ________________ began the quarrying of the hamstone nearly ________________ years ago!
Stop 6 View from the Prince of Wales pub
Why do the rangers cut down trees on the Iron Age ramparts? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ What does S.A.M stand for? ____________________________________________________
Ham H
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Extra resources
ArtistsimpressionsofIronAgelifeHamHill,showingroundhousesanddomesticlife
Ham H
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ArtistsimpressionofagatewayonIronAgeHamHill
ArtistsimpressionofanIronAgefamily, ArtistsimpressionofIronAgewarriors,whowouldprobablybeenfarmers paintedwithbluedyefromwoad(plant)to
lookfrighteningtotheirenemies
Ham H
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HambledonHillIronAgehillfortinNorthDorsetnotehowthisismuchsteeperthanHamHillandhowtherampartshavebeenkeptfreeoftreesandscrubthroughconstantgrazing
HamHillIronAgerampartstakenfromtheIronAgegatewayin1950s notehowtherampartshavebeenkeptfreeoftreesandscrubthroughconstantgrazingatthattime
Ham H
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IronAgeshielddesign
Ham H
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Romanshielddesign
Ham H
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Ham Hill History Tour two
Whattodo:ItispossibletocarryouttheHamHillHistorytoursusingtheinformationavailableontheHamHillwebsite:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhillandtheinformationgivenbelow.Usethemapgiventofindoutwhereeachofthestopsare,andthebestroutetotake.YoucouldalsousetheHamHillaudiotrail(trailtwo)whichisfreetodownloadfromthewebsitetocomplimentthetour.However,itisadvisabletobookamemberofHamHillstafftoleadthetourastheyalreadyahighlevelofknowledgeoftheaspectscoveredinthetour,andofthesiteingeneral.PleasecontacttheHamHillofficeon01935823617toarrangeatour.Stop1DeepquarryThisoldquarrydatesbacktotheVictorianera,whenHamstonewasofgreatdemandlocallyforbuildinghouses,schoolsandmanyotherbuildings.AlthoughHamstonehadbeenquarriedfromHamHillduringthetimeoftheNormans,andthroughoutmuchofthemedievalperiod,itwastheVictoriansthatreallymadeanimpactonthelandscapeatHamHill,diggermuchdeeperandmoreextensivelythaninpreviousquarries,inordertomeetdemand,andinordertogettothebestqualitystone,thatisequallyashardasgranite.Thereareseveraldeepquarryareaslikethis,butthisistheonlyonewhereitispossibletowalkrightinsideit,anduptothequarryfaces,astheothersareallovergrownand/orfencedoff.ThemethodsusedforquarryingduringtheVictoriantimesweremuchthesameasthoseemployedmanyyearsbeforethen.Itwascutingrooveswithapickwherenecessary,andthenliftedfromitsnaturalbedbywedgesdrivenunderitbyasledgehammeroradze.Itisthemarksofthesemetaltoolsthatarestillvisibleonthequarryface.Heavyironbarswerethenusedasleversaswellasoldcannonballstomovethelargeblocksaroundonthefloor.Whenthestonewasraisedafewinches,achainwasputundertheblock,orathreepinlewiswasinsertedintotheblockandinafewminutesitwashoistedtothesurfacebyasteamcrane.Theadventofthesteamcranerevolutionisedtheheavyworkofliftingoutthestone,andby1890therewere3steamcranesoperatingtoliftthestoneontotramways.
ManybuildingsweremadefromHamstoneduringtheVictorianperiod,howeverfromthe10thto16thcenturyespeciallyfrom14001530,thegreatbuildingage,manyofthelocalmorefamousbuildingswereconstructedincluding:SherborneCastle,FordeandCerneAbbey,HookandTauntonCastles,ExeterCathedral,ChurchesinLymeRegisandBridport,LargehousesinthelocalareaMontacute,BarringtonandMelbury.
Ham
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istory
Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: FromtheHamHillCentretoStMichaelsMount,usingtheWesternsectionoftheparkHowlong: Approximately3hoursResources: Historytourworksheets,clipboards,pencils/pens
Learningexperiences: UnderstandingofHamHillshistoryfromtheRomansthroughtotheNormans,andduringmedievaltimesandtheVictorianera.UnderstandingoftheimportanceofHamHillasahistoricalsite,howithasbeenshapedundermansinfluencesandhowitcontinuestobetoday.ObservationandrecognitionofkeyhistoricalfeaturesonHamHill.Listeningandrecordingskillsinthefield.
Beforethesession:Usethehistoryinformationpanels(seeextraresources)andHamHillshistorypagesonline:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhilltointroducethehistoryofHamHilltochildren.CarryoutHamHillhistorytourone,asthiscoversandearlierperiodinhistory,thereforethistourisanextensionorfollowontoitasitcoverslaterperiodsofhistory.
Stop2Harveysquarry
Harveysquarryisprivatelandandtheonlyaccesstothepublicintoitisintothereceptionarea,althoughitispossibletobookatourofthequarry(visitwww.hamhillstone.co.ukformoreinformation).However,itispossibletolookoutacrossthemajorityofthequarryfromthebankthatrunsdirectlyalongtheeasternedgeofthequarry,accessedfromthefieldadjacenttothequarry,whichhasarightofwayrunningthroughit(seemap).HarveysquarryisthemainquarryonHamHill,quarryingforHamstonethatisusedonavarietyofnewbuildingprojectslocallyandnationally.Itisalsosoldinsmallerquantitiestoindividualsforbuildingrepairs,extensions,andwalls,andisalsosoldassculpturesorformakingsculpturesandforfeaturesinhousessuchaswindowframesandfireplaces.ExtractionandprocessingmethodshavechangedconsiderablysinceVictoriantimes,withspecialiseddiggerbeingusedforcuttingthestoneout,andelectricstonecuttersusedforcreatingevenlyshapedpiecesforbuilding.ThefieldthatliesadjacenttoHarveysquarryisunderthesameownershipasthelandwithinthequarry,asopposedtobeingpartoftheCountryParkmanagedbySouthSomersetDistrictCouncil(SSDC).TheHamandDoultingStoneCompanyoperateonamuchsmallerscale(ondemand)ontheNorthernsectionoftheCountryParknearthestonecircle.Theareathattheyarecurrentlyquarryingisalwayschanging,astheyaremorelimitedastowhereandhowdeeptheycanquarryduetootherfeaturesthatarepresent.ThelandtheyquarryonisownedbytheDuchyofCornwallandmanagedbySSDC.Everytimeeitherofthequarriesareextended,theyneedtogetpermissiontodoso,asmostofHamHillisaScheduledAncientMonumentduetoitsimportanthistory.Anarchaeologicaldigisalsousuallycarriedout,andifanythingofsignificanceisfoundtheymayeithernotbeallowedtoquarrycertainareas/atall,orartefactsmayberemovedforstudyingand/ordisplayinginmuseums.Althoughthisissubjective,thepositiveelementsofquarryingonHamHillare:
Thecarryingoutofarchaeologicaldigsthequarryhavetopayforthesetobecarriedout,andasSSDCandotherorganisationsinvolvedwithHamHillarenotinapositiontodoso,thiswouldnottakeplaceifitwerenotforthequarries.FurtherdigscouldfurtherourknowledgeofHamHillshistory,butalsoofhistoryingeneral,andnewartefactsofsignificancecouldbediscovered.
TheonlyplaceHamstoneisavailableisonHamHill.Withoutthequarriescontinuingtooperatehere,peoplewouldnotbeabletosourceHamstoneforrepairsetc.ontheirhomesandotherbuildings.Insteadtheywouldneedtosourcebuildingstone/bricksforelsewhere,whichwouldprobablyinvolvemorecarbonemissionsduetothembeingtransportedfromfurtherafield.AlsoifHamstoneisusedthemajorityofthetimeforbuildingprojectslocally,thenthelocalarearetainsitsdistinctivecharacter,whichisamajorpullfortouristsanditisaestheticallypleasingforresidents.
Postquarrying,thehabitatthatfollowsisthatoflownutrientsduetothethinalkalinesoils,fullofrubble.Onlycertaintypesofplantsareabletogrowinthisenvironment,andmanyofthosearemorerareplantsthatinturnalsosupportmorerareinvertebrates.
Althoughthisissubjective,thenegativeelementsofquarryingonHamHillare:
Noisepollutionandairpollutionthroughfuelemissionsfromquarrymachinery. PotentialdangerinthemoreopenquarryintheNorthernSpursectionoftheCountryPark. MoretrafficusingtheHamHillroad,i.e.lorriestransportingstoneandpeopletravellingtoquarryto
purchasestone. Destructionofpresenthabitatsanddisturbancetowildlife. Possibledestructionofhistoricartefactsthatwerenotdiscoveredduringarchaeologicaldigs.
Stop3WitcombeValleymedievalvillageDuringthelatemedievalperiod(1500s)therewasavillageinthevalleyofWitcombe,withthemainactivitiestakingplacebeingfarmingandquarryingonHamHill.Thereismuchevidencethatprovesthiswasthecase,including:
Writtenevidencestatesthattherewere12tenantfarmerslivingherein1566 Thepresenceofstriplynchets(terracescreatedforfarming)onthevalleyslopes
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Visiblebanksinthebottomofthevalleythatwouldhavebeenwherehouseswerelocated Thepresenceofgreenhelleboreaplantthatwasusedformedicinalpurposes Thediscoveryofamidden(rubbishtip)whichwasfullofbrokenpottery
Thereisnothingrecordedhoweverastowhypeopleleftthevalley,butitisthoughtthatitisprobablyduetothelandownerrequiringthelandbackforhimselffromthetenants.Stop4RomanVillaIthaslongbeenknownthatthisfieldwasthelocationofa19roomedRomanvilla,duringtheRomanoccupationofBritain,fromA.D.43A.D.410.ThefirstevidenceofRomanoccupationonHamHillwasin1882,whenagriculturallabourersaccidentallydiscoveredRomancoinsandvessels.Victorianquarryworkerswouldhavefoundallsortsofancientartefactsbyaccidentalso,whilstexcavatingtheground.Asaresultofthisevidence,severalarchaeologicaldigstakingplaceduringtheearly1900s,inquiteafewdifferentareasofHamHill.ThefirstdiscoveryoftheRomanvillawasin1906whenanarchaeologistwasexcavatingarubbishpit;afurthermorecomprehensivedigwascarriedoutin1920.FindsincludetheremainsofarectangularbuildingofRomaninfluence,piecesofmosaicfloorpiecesandbrokenrooftiles.OtherbuildingremainsofRomanoriginwerefoundonotherdigsacrossHamHill,andmanyartefactshavebeenfoundaccidentallyovertheyears,partlyduetoanimalsdisturbingtheearth.In1977and1992thevillawasmappedusinggeophysicaltechniques,matchingtheoriginal1907excavationreports.In1992therestofthehillfortwasalsomappedtotryanddiscoveritspastlanduse.Archeologicalgeophysicscanbethemosteffectivewaytoseebeneaththeground.MagnetometersdetectminutedeviationsintheEarthsmagneticfieldcausedbyironartifacts,kilns,sometypesofstonestructures,andevenditchesandmiddens.Devicesthatmeasuretheelectricalresistivityofthesoilarealsowidelyused.ArchaeologicalFeatureswhoseelectricalresistivitycontrastswiththatofsurroundingsoilscanbedetectedandmapped.Somearchaeologicalfeatures(suchasthosecomposedofstoneorbrick)havehigherresistivitythantypicalsoils,whileothers(suchasorganicdepositsorunfiredclay)tendtohavelowerresistivity.Throughoutthe1990svariousaerialphotographsweretaken,whichhelpedidentifyotherfeaturesonsite.Aerialsurveysareconductedusingcamerasattachedtoaeroplanes,balloonsorevenkites.Abird'seyeviewisusefulforquickmappingoflargeorcomplexsites.Aerialphotographsareusedtodocumentthestatusofthearchaeologicaldig.Aerialimagingcanalsodetectmanythingsnotvisiblefromthesurface.Plantsgrowingaboveaburiedmanmadestructure,suchasastonewall,willdevelopmoreslowly,whilethoseaboveothertypesoffeatures(suchasmiddens)maydevelopmorerapidly.Photographsofripeninggrain,whichchangescolourrapidlyatmaturation,haverevealedburiedstructureswithgreatprecision.Aerialphotographstakenatdifferenttimesofdaywillhelpshowtheoutlinesofstructuresbychangesinshadows.
Thesimplestsurveytechniqueissurfacesurvey.Itinvolvescombinganarea,usuallyonfootbutsometimeswiththeuseofmechanisedtransport,tosearchforfeaturesorartifactsvisibleonthesurface.Surfacesurveycannotdetectsitesorfeaturesthatarecompletelyburiedunderearth,orovergrownwithvegetation.Surfacesurveymayalsoincludeminiexcavationtechniquessuchasaugers,corersandshoveltestpits.SurfaceremainsandearthworkshavebeenseverelydisturbedinthesiteoftheRomanvilladuetointenstiveploughingduringthelatterpartofthe20thcentury.Thismadetopographicalinterpretationoftheareaverydifficult,butasaresultofploughing,manyRomantilesandmosaicpieceswerediscovered,andareusedforeducationsessionsintheHamHillCentre.
MuchoftheaboveinformationhasbeenadaptedfromWikipedia.
Stop5St.MichaelsMountmotteandbaileycastle
(Pleasenote,thisstopisjustoutsidetheboundariesofHamHillCountryPark,andisnotmanagedbySSDC.ItisownedandmanagedbytheNationalTrustaspartoftheMontacuteEstatepleasecontactthemifyouwouldlikemoreinformation).
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Thefollowinginformationhasbeenadaptedfrom:www.historylearningsite.co.uk
MotteandbaileycastlesappearedinEnglandaftertheNormanConquestof1066.MotteandbaileycastleswereacommonfeatureinEnglandbythedeathofWilliamtheConquerorin1087.TheirconstructionwasthestartofwhatwastobecomeamassivecastlebuildingprogrammeinEnglandandWales.
WhenWilliamlandedatPevenseyin1066,heimmediatelysetaboutbuildingacastletoprotecthimselfandhismostimportantmen.WilliamwasahighlyskilledandfearedsoldierwhohadlearnedhismilitaryskillsinnorthernFrance.TheNormansachievedgreatfamefortheircastlebuilding.
Frenchkingshadgainedareputationforbuildingcastles.ThiswastheirwayofcopingwiththeconstantattacksbyVikingsfromScandinavia.ThekingsofFrancehadlittleideaonhowtodefeattheVikings.Frenchnoblementooktoprotectingthemselvesinfortifiedbuildingsthatwereknownascastellanstheseservedasprivatefortificationsinwhichpeopleandanimalswereprotectedfromthesefearedinvaders.
SomeoftheVikingseventuallystayedinnorthernFranceandtheNorsemenbecametheNormans.TheyhadbeenimpressedwiththeFrenchcastellansandadoptedthem;themostpopulardesignwasthemotteandbailey.Inthesecastles,therewasafortifiedbuilding(thecastle)ontopofamanmadehillcalledamotte.Thisservedasafinalfightingplacewheresoldierswouldretreatiftherestofthecastlehadbeenbreached.Thecastleonthemottewasreachedeitherbywoodenstairsthatcouldbedestroyedifthecastleitselfwasattackedorbya'flyingbridge'thatconnectedthebaileytothecastle.Inthebailey,peopleandanimalslivedinrelativesafetyintimesofpeaceastheyweresurroundedbyalargewoodenfencethatkeptoutattackersandwildanimals.
ThefirstrecordofamotteandbaileycastleinFranceappearedatthestartofthe11thCentury.ThefirstrecordedmotteinEnglandwasin1051whenFrenchcastlebuilderswerebuildingonefortheEnglishkinginHereford.However,theFrenchwereunpopularwiththelocalpopulationandtheFrenchbuildersleftwithoutanythingsubstantialbeingbuilt.AfterhisvictoryatHastingsin1066,WilliammovedaroundthesouthcoasttoDover.HerehebuilthisthirdEnglishcastleafterPevenseyandHastings.ThemotteandbaileycastleatDovertookjusteightdaystobuildaccordingtoWilliamofPoitierswhowasWilliam'schaplain.
Buildingcastlesthenwasverylabourintensive.WilliamandhismenwereinvadersandhisarmywouldhavehadtobeonaconstantguardespeciallyintheimmediatedaysafterHastings.ResearchononeofWilliam'smotteandbaileycastlesatHampsteadMarshallshowsthatthemottecontains22,000tonsofsoil.Thismottetookfiftymeneightydaystobuild.Usingthisasaguide,themotteatDoverwouldhaveneeded500mentocompleteineightdays.Itispossiblethatlocaltownspeoplewerecoercedintoworkingextremelyhardtocompletethetask.However,buildingamottewasaskilledachievement.Themotteswerebuiltlayeruponlayer.Therewouldbealayerofsoilthatwascappedwithalayerofstonesthatwascappedwithalayerofsoilandsoon.Thestonelayerswereneededtostrengthenthemotteandtoassistdrainage.
WilliamacceptedthesurrenderoftheAngloSaxonnoblesatBerkhamstedCastle,northwestofLondonarguablyhisfinestmotteandbaileycastle.ThismeantthathedidnothavetofightforLondonandthepeopleofLondonweresparedtheircitybeingtorched.WilliamstartedhisreignaskingofEnglandwithuncharacteristicdiplomacy.HeallowedtheSaxonnoblestokeeptheirlandandhetriedtolearnEnglish.However,fortwoyearsupto1068,hewasfacedwithrebellionsthroughouthisnewkingdom.Williamrespondedbymarchinghisfearedarmytoatroublespotandreassertinghisauthority.HethenhadacastlebuiltthereaveryvisiblesignoftheNorman'spower.CastleswerebuiltinExeter,Warwick,Nottingham,Lincoln,Huntingdon,CambridgeandYork.However,thisseriesofcastlebuildingdidnotcausetheproblemtodisappear.ThosewhorebelledagainstWilliam'spower,gatheredinthenorthofEngland.In1069,theytargetedthemostobvioussignofWilliam'sauthoritythecastleofYork.ThiscastlewasnotheavilydefendedandtheNormanssoldierstherewerebeatenandthecastlewasburnttotheground.
WilliamwasfuriousanddecidedtolaywastethenorthofEnglandthesocalled"HarryingoftheNorth".Normansoldiersdestroyedanythingthatmighthavebeenofusetothosewholivedinthenorth.Itisthoughtthatasmanyas100,000peoplediedofstarvation.YorkCastlewasalsorebuilt.ItwasnowthatWilliamtookawaylandfromtheSaxonnoblesandgaveittohisownnobility.EachNormannoblemanwhoreceivedlandwas
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expectedtobuildacastlethere.Itwasnow,afterthe"HarryingoftheNorth",thatcastleswerebuiltacrossagreatdealofEngland.EachNormanknightwasaninvaderandbuildingamotteandbaileycastleforhimselfandhissoldierswasbasiccommonsenseastheywerehighlyunpopularwiththeSaxons.
NooneisquitesurehowmanymotteandbaileycastleswerebuiltinEnglandbytheNormans.However,bycountingthenumberofmottesthatexistinEngland,archaeologistsbelievethattheNormansbuiltaround500oneeverytwoweeksbetween1066and1086.TheywereusedtokeeptheSaxonstamed.AfterWilliam'sresponsetotherebellioninthenorthofEngland,manyareasweresimplytooscaredtorebel.MotteandbaileycastleswereasignthatfearedNormansoldierswerenevertoofaraway.
OncethepeopleofEnglandhadbeentamed,Williammovedontograndercastles.WiththepopulationofEnglandseeminglysubdued,Williamstartedaprogrammeofbuildingstonecastles.NooriginalcompletemotteandbaileycastlesexistinEngland,butthehugestonefortificationsWilliamstartedcertainlyare.
St.MichaelsMountismanagedbytheNationalTrust,andbecauseitisasiteofarchaeologicalinteresttheyareobligedundermanagementagreementstopreserveitsfeaturesforfuturegenerations.Aswithmanyhistoricsites,thisrequirestheremovaloftrees(orthepreventionofsuccessiontowoodland).ForSt.MichaelsMount,thismeansfellingthemajorityofthetreesonthehillbecausetreesunderminearchaeologicalfeatureswiththeirroots,particularlywhentheyareuprootedinstormsorwhentheyreachtheendoftheirlife.St.MichaelsMounthasonlybeencoveredintreesforapproximatelythelast5060years,whengrazingnolongertookplace.ThesamehistoryoftheceasingofgrazingandsubsequenttreeremovaltakesplaceonHamHillsIronAgerampartseveryyear;thisisevidentwhilstwalkingthroughpartsofHedgecockwoods(thewoodsrunningeasttowestthatoverlookEastStoke).
ManylocalpeopledonotwanttoseethetreesremovedfromSt.MichaelsMount,probablybecauseofthehabitattheyoffertowildlife,andperhapsalsobecauseofthefactthattreesabsorbcarbon,thereforereducingglobalwarming.Alsomanypeoplehaveonlyeverseenthehillwithtreesandprobablylikeitthewayitis.FormoreinformationonthefuturemanagementofSt.MichaelsMountcontacttheNationalTrustatMontacuteHouse(01935823289).
PleasenotethatthetowerontopofthehillwasbuiltduringtheElizabethanperiodwhenMontacuteHousewasfirstoccupied,asafollytolookoutacrossthelandscape.Itispossibletoaccessboththemotteandbaileyandtheinsidethetower.
Keyhealthandsafetypoints:SupervisionmakesureadultsarepositionedatthefrontandrearofthegroupSteepdropswhilstlookingintotoquarryinstructchildrennottorunandtobesensiblewhilstontheridge,anddonotenterthequarryRoadcrossingsexplainclearlythemethodinwhichtheywillcrosstheroadbeforesettingoff
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Followup:VisitMontacuteHousetostudy17thcenturyhistory.ItispossibletowalktoMontacuteHousefromSt.Michaelstower(approx.halfamile).Contactthemon01935823289ormontacute@nationaltrust.org.uk.CarryoutasurveyinMontacutetofindoutlocalopinionabouttheremovaloftreesfromSt.MichaelsMount(theplanswerefirstannouncedin2007thereforetheresultswilldependonwhenthissurveyiscarriedout).CarryoutahistorystudyontheRomans,perhapswithavisittotheYeovilMuseum,whichhasamockupRomanvilla(01935845946).ContacttheSouthSomersetDistrictCouncilHeritageTeamon01935462881whoareabletoofferRomansessionsinyourschoolinvolvingartefacts,Romanarmourandclothing.
Mapshowingtherouteofthehistorytourparttwo:
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Ham Hill history tour two Stop 1 Deep quarry
What has created the grooves in the rock face? ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ Name three famous local buildings that are made from hamstone:
1. _______________________________ 2. _______________________________
3. _______________________________
Stop 2 Harveys quarry
Give one reason why you think quarrying on Ham Hill is a good thing, and one reason why you think it is a bad thing: Good: _________________________________ ______________________________________
Bad: _______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
Stop 3 Witcombe Valley medieval village
What three key pieces of evidence are there for a medieval village in Witcombe Valley? P.T.O.
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1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
Stop 4 Roman Villa
Explain the three methods of archaeological surveying that have been used to help us identify the location and understand more about the Roman Villa: 1. _____________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. ______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
How many rooms did the Roman villa have and when was it thought to have been occupied?
Stop 5 St. Michaels Mount motte and bailey castle
Label the picture of the motte and bailey castle above. Why did William the Conqueror build so many motte and bailey castles such as St. Michaels mount in Britain? (Continue on another piece of paper if necessary). ___________________________________________________________________ Why was/is there a lot of controversy over the National Trusts new management regime for St. Michaels Mount that began in 2007? Discuss.
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Know your Iron Age Community
Whattodo:
1. Explainthatyouaregoingtogiveeachpersonacardwitharole/jobthatpeoplewouldhavehadwithintheirvillagecommunityduringtheIronAge.Firsttheyneedtofindalltheotherpeoplewhohavethesamecardasthem(howevertherewillbesomepeoplewhoaretheonlypersonwiththatrole).
2. Oncetheyhavefoundalltheotherpeoplewiththesamerolesasthem,theyneedtolookatthepicture
ofthepersonwithparticularregardtotheirclothesandjewellery,andconsiderthejobthattheydo.Theyshouldthendiscusswiththosethathavethesamerolesasthemhowimportanttheirrolewouldhavebeeninthecommunity,intermsofhowwealthytheywere,howmuchinputtheyhadindecisionmakingandhowmuchstatustheyhad.Theyneedtomakesuretheyareawareofalltheotherroleswithinthecommunity,andmaybetalktopeoplewithdifferentrolesbeforemakingtheirdecision.
3. Oncetheyhavereachedadecision,theyshouldalllineupwithoneendofthelinebeingthetopofthe
community;theperson/peoplewiththemostwealthandstatus,graduallymovingalonguntiltheendofthelinewheretheperson/peoplewiththeleastwealthandstatusshouldstand.
4. Geteachgrouptoexplainwhytheyhavechosentostandinthepositionthattheyhave,askingothersin
thecommunityiftheythinktheyarecorrectaboutwheretheydecidedthattheyrank,andhaveageneraldiscussionaboutthedifferentroles.Ifaperson/peoplewanttochangewheretheythinktheyshouldstandduringthisdiscussion,orothersthinktheyshouldchangetheirpositionthentheyshould.
5. Iftheyhavenotyetarrangedthemselvesinthefollowingorder,getthemtomovearound:Chief,
Religiousleader,Warriors,Storytellers,Craftworkers,Farmworkers.
6. Explainwhattheirdifferentroleswereandwhytheyweregiventheamountofwealth,statusandrankingthattheywere:
Chiefwouldhaveneededtohaveexcellentleadershipskills,andwouldhaveultimatelymadethekeydecisionsonbehalfofthewholecommunity.Notehowhehasverycolourful,elaborateclothes,ornatejewelleryandasword,whichonlyafewpeoplewouldhaveowned,astheywereveryexpensiveandtimeconsumingtomake.Chiefscouldbemaleorfemale,andwouldhavebeenelected.
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istory
Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: AnywhereHowlong: ApproximatelyhalfanhourResources: Rolesinthecommunityfigurecardsthisishowmanytoprintofeach:
Chief:1 Religiousleader:1 Warrior:5 Storyteller:2 Craftworker:7 Farmer:Enoughfortherestoftheclass (Laminatethemandusethemeveryyear)
Learningexperiences: Understandingoftheideas,beliefsandattitudesofsocietyduringtheIronAge(700B.C.A.D.43);andanunderstandingofthedifferentroleswithinavillagecommunity.Discussion,debatinganddecisionmakingwithinalargegroup.
Beforethesession:Usephotosshowingrampartsandartistsimpressions,andalsothehistoryinformationpanels(seeextraresources)andHamHillshistorypagesonline:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhilltointroducetheIronAgeperiodtochildren.AlsousetheBBCCeltswebsitewww.bbc.co.uk/wales/celtsontheinteractivewhiteboardforfun,educationalactivities.CarryouttheHamHillHistorytoureitherbeforeorafterthisactivity,whichfocusesprimarilyonIronAgeHamHill.
Religiousleaderwouldhaveconductedallreligiousceremonies,andpeoplewouldhavelookedtothereligiousleaderforguidance.TheCeltswereveryreligiousandspiritualpeople,worshippingmanydifferentgods,believingthereweregodsforallaspectsoflife.Notehowhehasquiteelaborateclothesandjewelleryhewouldhavebeenlookedafterfromthewealthofthechief.
Warriorswouldhavebeenhighlytrained,andhighlyregardedmembersofthecommunity,trainingintensivelytobephysicallyfitandskilledataimingslingshotsandspears.Thetopwarriorswouldhavealsohadtheirownswords,andwouldtrainatswordfightingaswell.Theywouldhavebenefitedfromthewealthofthechiefaswell.
Storytellerswouldhavebeenregardedasimportantmembersofthecommunity.Althoughtheymay
havehadotherjobsaswell,theywerethekeypeopleinexplainingandpassingtheimportantstoriesandinformationaboutthehistoryandcultureofthetribe/villagetoothersinthecommunity.ThereasonthisjobwassoimportantisbecauseduringtheIronAge,peoplehadnotyetdevelopedthewrittenword;peoplewerereliantonthespokenwordtopassoninformation.
Craftworkerswouldhavemadeallkindsofgoodsfromrawmaterialsforpeoplethroughoutthe
wholevillagetouse,andprobablywouldhavemadevariousgoodstotradewithpeoplefromothervillagesaswell.Eachcraftworkerwouldhavebeenaspecialistintheirtrade,withpeoplemakingfarmingtools,weapons,pottery,clothesorotherdomesticgoods.Notehowhedoesnthaveveryelaborateclothesorjewellerythoughhowever,soalthoughquiteskilledandvaluedhedoesnthavemuchwealth.
Farmerswouldhaveprovidedfoodforthewholecommunity,includingcerealcrops,vegetables,fruit,
meatandeggs.Theywouldhaveworkedhardonthelandallyearround,usingskillsandknowledgepasseddownfromonegenerationtothenext.Notehowhehasdullandbasicclothes,andwouldnthavehadmuchinthewayofpossessions.FarmingwasthemainactivitythattookplaceduringtheIronAge,wherethemajorityofpeopleineachvillagewouldhavehadthisrole.However,despiteactuallyhavingthemostimportantrole(i.e.withoutfood,theothersinthecommunitywouldnotsurvive)itwasnotconsideredhighlyskilledandfarmerswerenotdeemedofhavinghighstatus.However,astheywerethemajorityofpeople,theywereperhapsofthenormalstatus,ratherthanbeingoflowstatusitwasonlyafewpeoplethathadthehighstatusroles.
7. Ifithasnotalreadydoneso,thefinalpointaboutthefarmersactuallybeingthemostimportantin
termsoftheirnecessityshouldignitemoredebate.Ifnot,askchildrenifthecraftworkersshouldalsobeconsideredmoreimportant,becausewithoutthemthewarriorswouldnothavetheirweapons,thechiefandreligiousleaderwouldnothavetheirjewellery,andthefarmerswouldnothavetheirtools
8. Concludewithexplainingthatthecommunityneededpeoplewithallthesedifferentroles;without
enoughpeoplefulfillingeachrolethecommunitywouldfallapart,regardlessoftheirstatusandwealth.
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Followup:CarryouttheDiginaboxarchaeologistgameUsetheIronAgecoinmintingorfacepaintingequipmentatHamHillMakeIronAgeshields(seeextraresources)andgetchildrentodesigntheirownCelticpatternsGethalfofthegrouptomakeRomanshields(seeextraresources)andhaveamockinvasionontheIronAgeramparts,beginningatthegatewayontheNorthernspurandconcludingattheFryingpan(seemap)IfstudyingtheRomans,usetheplasticmosaictilesintheHamHillCentretocreatemosaicpatternsForacompleteIronAgeExperience,contactMattRussell:matt.Russell@ntlworld.comor07980007897whocanrunawholedaysessioninyourschooloratHamHill.Thiscaninclude:handlingawiderangeofrealandreplicaIronAgeartefacts,makingamoneypouch,makingshields,IronAgeclothes,Celticfacepainting,andIronAgewarriortraining(targetpractice,throwingspearsandswordtraining)
CHIEF
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RELIGIOUS LEADER
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WARRIOR
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STORY TELLER
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CRAFT WORKER
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FARMER
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Dig in a box archaeologist game
Whattodo:Thereareeightartefactsthatareusuallyusedaspartofthisactivity.PleasespeaktoHamHillstaffifyouwouldliketouseanydifferentones.Belowdescribeswhateachartefactis,whatitwasusedfor,approximatelyhowolditisandwhatitismadefrom:
Axeheadthisisareplicaitemmadefrombronze,basedonarealartefactfoundonHamHillthatisthoughttodatebacktotheBronzeAge.Itisthereforeapprox.3000ormoreyearsold.Itwouldhavebeenusedforcuttingwoodandothermaterials.
Wildboarstooththiswasfoundduringanarchaeologicaldiganddatesbacktomedievaltimes,asit
wasaround400yearsagothatwildboardbecameextinctinBritain.Wildboarwerehuntedfortheirmeatandskin,butpeoplewouldprobablyalsousedtheirteethandbonesformakingtools.
BrokenrooftilethisisaclayrooftilefromtheRomanvillathatwasbuiltonHamHillduringthe1st
centuryA.D.TherehavebeenseveralarchaeologicaldigsandgeophysicalsurveyscarriedoutintheareawheretheRomanvillawassituated,andploughingofthefieldinmorerecenttimeshasbroughtupmanyrooftiles.
Brokenvase/bottletopthisisalsomadefromclay,andalsothoughttobeRomaninorigin,foundby
accidentonHamHill.Thedifferencebetweenartefactsfoundonarchaeologicaldigsandthosefoundbyaccidentisthatthosefoundondigshavegotanumberwrittenonthem,aseveryitemislogged.Thiswouldprobablyhavebeenusedtostorewaterorwine.
Brokenpot/bowlthisisalsomadefromclay,butthoughttobeofIronAgeorigin(750B.C.1st
centuryA.D.)duetothefactthatitisadifferentcolourandmorecoarse.Potsandbowlsofallshapesandsizeswouldhavebeenusedtostoreandeatfoodfrom.
FlinttoolthiscoulddatebacktotheStoneAge(5000ormoreyearsago),althoughflinttoolswerestill
widelyusedduringtheIronAgeandlater,asmetalwasstillverytimeconsuminganddifficulttoextract.Flinttoolswereusedforcuttingandscraping,andflintwasalsousedtomakearrowheadsandspeartips.
LoomweightthisprobablydatesbacktotheIronAgewhenmostclothes,rugsandblanketswere
madeonaverticalloom.Manyloomweightswouldhavebeenusedtoholdtheverticalthreadsofwool
Ham H
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Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: AnywhereHowlong: ApproximatelyhalfanhourResources: Boxofsand,filledwithHamHillartefacts
Learningexperiences: UnderstandingofthelonghistoryofoccupationonHamHill,primarilyduringtheIronAge(700B.C.A.D.43)andtheRomanperiods(A.D.43A.D.410).Understandingoftheimportanceofarchaeologicaldigsininterpretingthehistoryofasiteorarea,togetherwithothersurveymethods.Speculationanddiscussionovertheuseandageofvariousartefacts.
Beforethesession:UseHamHillshistorypagesonline:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhilltointroducethehistoryofHamHilltochildren.WatchsomeoftheclipsthatareavailableonlineofTimeTeamsBigRomanDig,whenaRomanVillawasunearthedlocallyatDinnington,Somerset:www.channel4.com/history/microsites/B/bigromandig/galleries/3_112.html
taughtwhilstthehorizontalthreadsofwoolwereweavedacross.ThisismadefromHamstone,asitwouldhaveneededtobeheavy.ThisandquernstonesforgrindingwheataretheonlyHamstoneartefactsfound,showingusthatHamstonewasnotwidelyquarriedduringtheIronAge.
SlingstonethisdatesbacktotheIronAge,andwasusedinasimilarwaytoacatapultfordefending
thehillfort.Theseneededtobeperfectlyround,andsopebblessuchasthiswouldhavebeentransportedfromChesilbeachinDorset.MassivebellpitsfullofthousandsofslingstoneshavebeenfoundonHamHillduringarchaeologicaldigs;theCeltswerealwaysreadyforbattle/defence.
1. Makesuretheeightartefactsareallburiedunderthesandsothattheycannotbeseen.2. Getchildrentositaroundtheboxinacircle,makingsurethattheycanallseethebox.
3. Askchildrenhowdoweknowaboutwhathappenedinthepast?Througharchaeologicaldigs,accidental
finds,featuresintheground,andinmorerecenttimes(thelastmillenia)thereiswrittenevidence.
4. Ifthewordhasnotalreadycomeup,askchildrenwhatthenameisofprofessionalpeoplethatdigintheground,lookingforartefactsandinterpretingwhattheyare?Archaeologist
5. ExplainthattherehavebeenmanyarchaeologicaldigsthathavetakenplaceonHamHill,mostlyatthe
beginningofthe20thcentury,butsomehavetakenplaceinmorerecenttimesaswell.ThisisprobablyasaresultofmanyartefactsbeingfoundaccidentlyduringtheVictorianera,whenquarryingtookplaceacrossmuchofHamHill.
6. (Optional)Explainthatinmorerecentyears,geophysicalsurveysusingmagnetometersanddevicesthat
measuretheelectricalresistivityofthesoilhavealsobeenusedtofindthelocationsofvariousartefacts,stonestructuresandevenditchesandmiddens(rubbishtips).This,togetherwiththeuseofaerialphotographyandandsimplysurfacesurveyingtechniqueshaveledtomoreefficentmappingandsubsequentprotectionoftheimportantarchaeologicalareasonHamHill,aswellastheabilitytocarryoutdigswithahighlikihoodoffindingartefacts.
7. Explainthattheyaregoingtohaveagoatbeingarchaeologists,bylookingverycarefullyintheboxfor
artefacts,andtryingtoworkoutwhattheythinktheobjectisandhowoldtheythinkitmightbe.Explainthatpeoplewillbechosenoneatatime,butthattherearenotenoughartefactsforeveryonetofind.
8. Oncetheyhavefeltanartefacttheyshoulddustoffthesandandholditupsothateveryonecanseeit,
andbeforeaskingchildrensataroundthecircle,askthearchaeologistwhattheythinktheobjectis,andhowoldtheythinkitmightbe.
9. Oncealltheartefactshavebeenfound,explainthatthesearejustaverysmallsampleofthemany
artefactsthathavebeenfoundonHamHill.MostartefactsareondisplayattheCountyMuseuminTauntonastheymorevaluableandunique.ArtefactsondisplayatthemuseumincludeRomanarmourstilllinkedtogether,RomanandIronAgebrooches,coins,arrowheads,spearheadsandmuchmore.
Keyhealthandsafetypoints:Artefactsandsandmakesurechildrenwashtheirhandsafterhandlingtheartefactsorsandandmakesuretheyarecarefulwhilsthandlingthem.
Ham H
ill - History
Followup:Getchildreninsmallgroupstodesignalabeltogowithoneoftheartefacts,detailingwhattheartefactis,whatitwasusedfor,approximatelyhowolditisandwhatitismadefrom.Linkthisactivitywithanyoftheotherhistoryactivitiesandtheirfollowupactivities.VisittheCountyMuseuminTauntontoviewthemanyancientartefactsfoundonHamHillandelsewhereinSomerset:www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/culturecommunity/museums/future/
Ham Hill Heritage Trail
Whattodo:
1. Setouttheheritagetrailpicturesinthe11locationsasshownonthemapandasdescribedontheanswerrecordingsheets.Itisrecommendedthatthisbedoneonthemorningofthevisit,asopposedtothedaybeforeasHamHillisabusypublicsite.Makearecordofwhichpicturehasbeenplacedwhere.
2. Organisechildrenintogroupsofapprox.eightandassignoneadulttoeachgroup.3. Issueeachgroupwithamap,answerrecordingsheet,clipboard,andapencil(andmakesurestaff
memberhasawatch).
4. Explainthefollowing:a. Whattheheritagetrailentails=usingamaptofindtheheritagepicturesinthelocationsshownby
numbers1to11onthemapb. Howtousethelegend/key=whentryingtofindthepictures,usethelegendonthebottomofthemap
toidentifythelandscapeandfeaturesclosetotheheritagepictureyouarelookingfor,e.g.closetoabenchingrassylandscapewithsteephills.
c. Howtoorientatethemap=themapmustalwaysfacenorth,whichisinthedirectionofthewar
memorial.Thereforewhenyourbackisfacingthewarmemoriallookingtowardsthestonecircle(pointthesefeaturesoutonthemap),themapshouldbeupsidedown.
d. Howtousetheanswerrecordingsheet=thisiswheretheanswers(whatiswrittenonthebackof
pictures)arerecorded.Thepicturesdonotneedtobefoundintheorderinwhichtheyappearonthesheet.Usetheanswerrecordingsheettofindoutwhatthepicturesareattachedto,e.g.signposts.
e. Howtousethescale=thescaleisatthetopofthemap,and2cmonthemap=100montheground.
5. AgreeatimetomeetbackattheHamHillCentre.
Ham H
ill - History
Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: Withina1kmradiusoftheHamHillCentreHowlong: Approximately1.5hoursResources: Heritagetrailmaps,answerrecordingsheets,clipboards,pencils/pens,heritagetrail
pictures(cutoutandlaminate,thenholepunchandattachapieceofstring)
Learningexperiences: Familiarisationwithhowtouseamapincludingscale,orientating,keysandlegends,howtonavigateinanoutdoorenvironment,decisionmakingandteamwork.InsightintothehistoryofHamHill.
Beforethesession:Introducechildrentoorienteeringmapsbeforevisit,explaininghow tousethemasdetailedbelow,andbyusingthelegendmatchinggame(seegeographysectioninthispack).UseHamHillshistorypagesonline:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhilltointroducethehistoryofHamHilltochildren.
6. Seteachgroupofftofindadifferentpicturefirstsothattheygooffindifferentdirectionsandworkasasmallteam(withamemberofstaff).
7. Checkeachgroupsanswersastheyreturn.
Keyhealthandsafetypoints:Supervisioninstructchildrenthattheymuststaywiththeirgroup,andmakesuretheyarewiththeirdesignatedadultatalltimesasthereareseveraldangersonsiteandbecauseitisapublicopenspace.Openquarryinstructchildrentheyarenottogointhequarry,asitispotentiallydangerousduetofallingandlooserocksandheavymachinery.Roadcrossingsexplainclearlythemethodinwhichtheywillcrosstheroadbeforetheysettingoff.
Ham H
ill - History
Followup:Linkthisactivitywithanyoftheotherhistoryactivitiesandtheirfollowupactivities.VisitHamHillCentretohavealookatsomeoftheartefactsthathavebeenfoundonHamHillphoneaheadtoensurethatthecentreisopen:01935823617.
Answer recording sheet
Number Location Answer
1
Bench
2
War memorial/monument
3
Sign next to circle of stones
4
Tree near to dog waste bin
5
Gate close to litter bin
6
Footpath signpost to Alfreds
Tower
7
Gate at the bottom of steps
8
Stile leading into field
9
Footpath signpost next to
Timestones sculptures
10
Tree at bottom of slope
11
Barbeque
Ham H
ill - History
Ham H
ill - History
Heritagetrailpictures
Roman dolphin brooch found accidentally by a boy on a school trip to Ham Hill
Artists impression of the 19 roomed Roman villa that was excavated on Ham Hill
Ham H
ill - History
Iron Age ramparts on Ham Hill these were dug by hand to fortify the hillfort
Many archaeological excavations have taken place on Ham Hill
Ham H
ill - History
During the Iron Age (750 B.C. A.D. 43), people lived in roundhouses like this
Many flint tools used for cutting like these have been found on Ham Hill
Ham H
ill - History
Iron Age coins (like this one) and Roman coins have been found on Ham Hill
Pottery finds are common on Ham Hill, dating back to Iron Age and Roman times
Ham H
ill - History
A Bronze Age axe head (used for cutting) similar to this was found on Ham Hill
In the Iron Age, warriors painted themselves blue with plant dye to look scary
Ham H
ill - History
Roman helmet the Romans had good protection whilst wearing these
Ham H
ill - History
Orienteering
Whattodo:Theorienteeringcourseisasetofsmallredandwhitesquareswithoneletterandtwonumbersprintedon,whichareattachedtofenceposts,signposts,gateandbouldersetc.Thechildrenusethemaptolocatetheorienteeringmarkerslocatedaroundthecountryparkandrecordthetwonumbersoneachone,whilstworkingasateam.ForallcoursesstartandfinishattheHamHillCentre.
1. Organisechildrenintogroupsofapprox.eightandassignoneadulttoeachgroup.
2. Issueeachgroupwithamap,controlsheet,clipboard,andapencil(andmakesurestaffmemberhasawatch).
3. Explainthefollowing:
a. Whatorienteeringis=usingamaptofindtheorienteeringmarkers(i.e.redandwhitesquareswithnumbersandletterson).
b. Howtousethelegend/key=whentryingtofindthemarkersdenotedbyletters,usethelegendonthebottomofthemaptoidentifythelandscapeandfeaturesclosetotheorienteeringmarkeryouarelookingfor,e.g.closetoabenchingrassylandscapewithsteephills.
c. Howtoorientatethemap=themapmustalwaysfacenorth,whichisinthedirectionofthewarmemorial.Thereforewhenyourbackisfacingthewarmemoriallookingtowardsthestonecircle(pointthesefeaturesoutonthemap),themapshouldbeupsidedown.
d. Howtousethecontrolsheet=thisiswheretheanswers(numbers)arerecorded.Themarkersdonotneedtobefoundintheorderinwhichtheyappearonthesheet.Usethecontrolsheettofindoutwhatthemarkersareattachedto,e.g.boulders,gateposts.
e. Howtousethescale=thescaleisatthetopofthemap,and2cmonthemap=100montheground.
4. AgreeatimetomeetbackattheHamHillCentre.
5. Seteachgroupofftofindadifferentmarkerfirstsothattheygooffindifferentdirectionsandworkasasmallteam(withamemberofstaff).
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: Withina4kmradiusoftheHamHillCentreHowlong: 4coursesrangingfromapproximately45minutesfortheshortestto2hoursforthe
longestResources: Orienteeringcontrolsheetsandanswersheets,maps,clipboards,pencils/pens
Learningexperiences: Familiarisationwithhowtouseamapincludingscale,orientating,keysandlegends,howtonavigateinanoutdoorenvironment,decisionmakingandteamwork.
Beforethesession:Introducechildrentoorienteeringmapsbeforevisit,explaininghowtousethemasdetailedbelow,andbyusingthelegendmatchinggame.Also,useOrdinanceSurveymaps/onlinemapssochildrenunderstandwhereHamHillisinrelationtotheirschool,andgetanideaofhowscalesdifferondifferentmaps.
6. Checkeachgroupsanswersastheyreturn.
Optionalscoreorienteering:Recordthetimethateachgroupsetsoutandreturns(withalltheiranswerscomplete)sothatifallgroupshavealltheiranswerscorrect,thegroupthatcompletedthecoursethequickest,wins.
Keyhealthandsafetypoints:Supervisioninstructchildrenthattheymuststaywiththeirgroup,andmakesuretheyarewiththeirdesignatedadultatalltimesasthereareseveraldangersonsiteandbecauseitisapublicopenspace. Openquarryinstructchildrentheyarenottogointhequarry,asitispotentiallydangerousduetofallingandlooserocksandheavymachinery. Roadcrossingsexplainclearlythemethodinwhichtheywillcrosstheroadbeforesettingoff.
OrienteeringAnswers:
A=38
B=45
C=52
D=34
E=51
F=47
G=40
H=36
I=43
J=50
K=32
L=37
M=46
N=53
O=31
P=51
Q=55
R=39
S=44
T=42
U=33
V=49
W=48
X=35
Y=54
Z=41
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Followup:SetupanorienteeringcourseinyourschoolgroundstheQuantockOrienteersmaybeabletogiveadvice,orevenassistinsettingupacourse:http://www.quantockorienteers.co.uk.Theyalsorunjunioreventsacrossthecounty.Getthechildrentocreatemapsoftheschoolgroundswithscalesandlegends.
Course 1-Yellow North (Easy)-1.4km
Control Description Code No.
Start-S1 Path bend on boulder _
1 A Gate
2 E Path crossing
3 D Bin
4 C Boulder (north side)
5 J Crag foot (east end)
6 B Small valley (lowest part)
7 G Stone wall
8 K Fence corner
9 P Boulder
Course 2-Yellow South (Easy)-1.4km Control Description Code No.
Start-S1 Path bend on boulder _
1 Q West crag
2 P Boulder
3 R Signpost
4 I West boulder (north side)
5 X East boulder
6 W Fence corner
7 Y Bin
8 T Post (west of path)
9 V West boulder (west side)
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Course 3-Orange (Medium)-2.9km
Control Description Code No.
Start 1-S1 Path bend on boulder _
1 E Path crossing
2 H Boulder (north side)
3 F Spur foot (west end)
4 J Crag foot (east end)
5 B Small valley (lowest part)
6 G Stone wall
7 M Gate (west side)
8 L Crag
9 I West boulder (north side)
10 S Thicket
11 U Boulder
12 O East crag
13 Z Gate
14 W Fence corner
15 T Path (between knolls)
16 N Boulder
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Course 4-Green (Hard)-3.6km
Control Description Code No.
Start 1-S1 Path bend on boulder _
W Fence corner
J Crag foot (east end)
A Gate
E Path crossing
Q West crag
H Boulder (north side)
B Small valley (lowest part)
Y Bin
N Boulder
U Boulder
O Crag
R Signpost
L Crag
S Thicket (west end)
F Spur foot (west side)
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Legendmatchinggame:
Answers:
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Legend matching game Cut out the 20 coloured symbols below, and try and match up each one with one of the written descriptions. These symbols and their descriptions make up the legend or key on the Ham Hill orienteering map, which help you navigate when you are map reading.
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Legend matching game Cut out the 20 descriptions below, and try and match up each one with one of the coloured symbols. These descriptions and their symbols make up the legend or key on the Ham Hill orienteering map, which help you navigate when you are map reading.
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Map reading activity
Whattodo:Themapreadingactivityisadaptable,dependingontheabilities/ageofthechildren.ThemapworksheetisdesignedtogetchildrenusingthemapandrelatingittotherealHamHilllandscapeanditsfeatures.Beforeleadingthisactivity,youwillneedtosetoutcardswithB,A,D,G,E,Rwrittenontheminthelocationsonthemapfrom16inanyorder.
Togettothestonecirclearea,takethegateoppositethepubcarparkleadingintothenorthernsectionofthepark.Afterapproximately300mthepathopensoutintothestonecirclearea.
1. Pointoutthefeaturesaroundyousuchasthestandingstonesandthewoodensigns,andshowhowtheyarepositionedandillustratedonthemap,usingthelegend.
2. Getchildrentocompletetheworksheetbyusingthemapofthestonecirclearea.Answersarebelow:
1.Howmanygridsquareshavegot:a) Boulders?8 b)Hillymound?23 c)Path?32
(Includeeverysquarethatthesefeaturescrossthrough,evenifonlythroughasmallfractionofthesquare)2. Whatdoesthissymbolfromthelegendmean?
Boulder 3.
4.Getchildreninto6smallgroupsandaskthemtofindthe6locationsfrom16,usingthemap.Theyshouldrecordthe6letterstheyfindunderquestion4ontheirworksheet,thenusethespacetoworkouttheanagram,whichshouldspellBADGER.Seteachgroupofftolookforadifferentnumberfirstsothattheyarenotallrunningtothesamelocation,andexplainthattheycanthenfindtheminanyordertheylike.
Number North East1 7 42 4 53 0 64 1 25 8 06 11 0
Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: StonecircleareainNorthernSpurHowlong: Approx1hourResources: Mapreadingactivityworksheetsandanswersheets,compasses,clipboards, pencils/pens,6piecesofcardwithB,A,D,G,E,andRwrittenon(oneoneachpiece)
Ham
Hill - G
eography
Learningexperiences: Familiarisationwithhowtouseamap(andcompassoptional),teamwork,problemsolving,decisionmakingandspatialawareness.
Beforethesession:Introducechildrentothemapandexplainhowtousethelegend.Introducechildrentocompassbeforevisit,explaininghowtouseacompassasdetailedinthecompasstrailsactivitynotesalsointhegeographysection(optional).
Keyhealthandsafetypoints:Supervisionmakesureadultsarepositionedsothatthechildrencanbeseenatalltimes.Openquarryinstructchildrentheyarenottogointhequarry,asitispotentiallydangerousduetofallingandlooserocksandheavymachinery.
Optionalcompassactivity:Youcansetthemsomecompasschallenges,e.g.whatbearingdotheyneedtowalkontogetfromonefeatureornumbertoanother,andhowmanypaces,ortheycouldjustusethemcasuallytoseewhatdirectionstheyaretravellinginwhentheyarelookingforthenumberlocations.Youcouldthenmoveontothebeginnerscompasstrail,whichtakesplaceinthisareatoo.
Followup:Createasimilarstylemapofyourschoolgroundsusingpermanentfeaturesdenotedwithalegend.Itisagoodideatohaveabasemapwithnopoints/numberswrittenon;thereforeyoucanusethesamemapandchangethepointseachtimeyoudoamapreadingactivity.
YoucouldalsosetupanorienteeringcourseinyourschoolgroundstheQuantockOrienteersmaybeabletogiveadvice,orevenassistinsettingupacourse:http://www.quantockorienteers.co.uk.Theyalsorunjunioreventsacrossthecounty.Getthechildrentocreatemapsoftheschoolgroundswithscalesandlegends.
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Map reading activity
1. How many grid squares have got: Boulders?
Hilly mound?
Path?
2. What does this symbol from the legend mean?
3. Starting with the start square in the bottom left corner, how many squares north, then east would you need to move to get to the different locations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on the map? Dont count the start square! Fill in the table below the first one is already done for you:
Number North East 1 7
4
2
3
4
5
6
4. What Ham Hill animal can you spell out using the letters you have found?
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Map of stone circle area
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Ham Hill Geography tour
Whattodo:ItispossibletocarryouttheHamHillGeographytourusingtheinformationavailableontheHamHillwebsite:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhillandtheinformationgivenbelow.Usethemapgiventofindoutwhereeachofthestopsare,andthebestroutetotake.YoucouldalsousetheHamHillaudiotrail(trailone)whichisfreetodownloadfromthewebsitetocomplimentthetour.However,itisadvisabletobookamemberofHamHillstafftoleadthetourastheyalreadyahighlevelofknowledgeoftheaspectscoveredinthetour,andofthesiteingeneral.PleasecontacttheHamHillofficeon01935823617toarrangeatour.
Stop1TheHamHillCentre
TheHamHillRangerteamconsistsoftwofulltimerangers,wholookafterallaspectsoftheCountryPark,includingrecreation/visitoraccess,wildlifeconservation,heritageconservationandgeology.Theyalsoruneducationaleventsforthepublic,schoolvisitsandactivities/walksforcommunitygroupssuchaslocalScoutgroupsandRotaryClubs.Therangersemptythebins/litterpickthesite,carryoutwoodlandmanagementsuchascoppicing,thinning,pruningandscrubclearanceforbothwildlifeandheritageconservation,andforpublicsafety.Themanagethegrasslandlandscapeandthewildlifewithinitthroughgrazinghaycutting,andthroughtheuseofsigns,andthegeologybykeepingtherockfacesclearofvegetation.Publicaccessmanagementincludesthemaintenanceofpaths,carparks,gates,fences,signs,stepsbenchesandbinsetc.
Stop2TheIronAgeramparts
HamdonhillfortistheIronAgepartofHamHillCountryPark.ItisthelargesthillfortinBritain,withrampartsextending3miles,encompassinganarea200acresinsize.HamHillhastwotothreeditchesandrampartsorridgesthatwereconstructedbytheDrurotrigesIronAgetribemanyyearsago,fromaround750B.C.tothe1stcenturyA.D.WhenHamdonhillfortwasoccupiedtherampartswouldhavebeenkeptclearoftrees,sothattheycouldspotanypotentialenemyinvaders.Amazingly,theseearthworkswereconstructedbyhandwithtoolssuchasantlersandpickstheyfollowthenaturalcontoursofthehill.Theyweredefensivestructuresinordertodeterattackersfromneighbouringenemytribes.Alongthetopridgetherewouldprobablyhavebeenawoodenpalisadefenceratherlikearowoflargepencils,toprovideextraprotection.Halfwaybetweenhereandstopthreeyoucanclearlyseeoneoftheold
Practicalities:When: AnytimeWhere: FromtheHamHillCentretothewarmemorial,usingtheNorthernsectionoftheparkHowlong: Approximately2hoursResources: Geographytourworksheets,clipboards,pencils/pens
Ham
Hill - G
eography
Learningexperiences: UnderstandingofhowthemoderndaylandscapeonHamHillhasbeenshapedundermansinfluences.ObservationandrecognitionofmanmadeandnaturalfeaturesonHamHillandacrossthelandscapebelow.Identifyinghowandwhyplacesareliketheyare,whytheychangeandhowtheymaychangeinthefuture.AnunderstandingofthelocalSomersetenvironment.Listeningandrecordingskillsinthefield.
Beforethesession:UsemapstoshowchildrenwhereHamHillisinrelationtotheirschool,andaskquestionsaboutthelandscapeandfeaturessurroundingthehill.FindoutwhatthechildrenalreadyknowaboutmansinfluenceonHamHillandinthelocalarea.
entrancesthatleadinandoutofthehillfort,whichwouldhavebeenheavilydefended,includingtheuseoflargewoodengates.TheviewsfromthetopofHamHillareexcellent;thefactthatyoucouldseealongwayintothedistancewasoneofthereasonsearlysettlerschosethenaturalhighpointofHamHill;theywereabletoseeifanyenemieswereapproachingandprepareforbattle.DuetothefactthatHamHillsoccupantswouldhavebeenmuchhigherthantheirenemiesbelow,theslingstonesthattheyusedtodefendtheirhillfort(similartoacatapult),theyhadgravityontheirsidesowouldhavedonealotofdamagetoanyinvaders!Aswellasthereasonsgivenabove,thepeoplelivinginthispartofSomersetatthetimewouldalwayshavechosenhighergroundtosettleon,asmostofthelandisonlyafewmetresabovesealevelandwouldhavebeenfloodedformostoftheyear,apartfromafewmonthsduringthesummer.
Stop3TheFryingPan
Thefryingpangetsinnameduetoitsshape,whichmisledearlyarchaeologistsintothinkingitwasaRomanamphitheatre,butitsactuallyanoldlivestockshowringfrommedievalfayredays.StartingonApril25th,whichisSt.Marksday,alargefayretookplaceonHamHill,historicallylastingforupto13days.Thefayreattractedpeoplefromfarafieldtobuyandsellbothdomesticandagriculturalitemssuchasbaskets,fabrics,pottery,toolsandlivestock.Theconstantparadingofanimalsaroundaringcreatedtherecognisablefeatureyoucanseetoday.
Thisareawasusedinthelate19thcenturyforfayresonceagain,butofadifferentnature.AlocalmannamedGeorgeMitchellorganisedhugeralliesontopofHamHillbasedhere.Thousandsofagriculturalworkersmarchedupthehillsingingsongstodemandbetterpayandconditions,andpoliticianswouldgivespeecheshereinthefryingpaninfavourofthelabourers.
Whilstyouarehere,turnyourbackonthefryingpanandlookdowntheslopeofthehillandyouwilltheIronAgerampartscertainlyoneoftheditchesandoneoftheridgesorearthbanksthatisjustinfrontofthelineoftreesareclearlyvisible.
Stop4Warmemorial
ThewarmemorialismadeoutofHamstone,andwaserectedin1923(seebronzewreathonthesideofthememorialthatfacesStokesubHamdon)tocommemorateindividualsfromStokeandNortonsubHamdonwhogavetheirlivesintheFirstWorldWar.FurthernameswerelateraddedofthosewhodiedintheSecondWorldWarandsubsequentconflicts.
Findthefaceofthewarmemorialwiththebronzewreathonitandstandwithyourbacktoit.Lookingstraightahead,whichisalmostdirectlynorth,thevillagebelowisStokesubHamdon,andthevillagebeyonditslightlytotheleftisMartock.Rightaroundtothefarleftwiththelargechurchtower,liesthevillageofNortonsubHamdon.ThebusyroadrunninginfrontofyouistheA303.ThesmallsectionthatyoucanseeispartoftheRomanroadknownastheFosseWay,whichusedtoleadintoIlchester,originallyaRomantown.TotheleftinthedistanceyoushouldbeabletoseetheBlackdownHills,andbeyondtheminthedistanceonacleardayyoucanseetheQuantocks.Directlyahead,thelowridgeofhillsarethePoldens,andrightbehindthemtheMendips.
Discusswiththechildrenwhattheycansee,gettingthemtotickoffthevariousfeatureslistedontheirworksheet.Askthemwhichfeaturesarenaturalandmanmade,andwhichdirectiontheythinktheirschoolis.HaveageneraldiscussionaroundthegeographyoftheSomersetlandscape,i.e.naturalandmanmadeforces.Getthechildrentomakeasketchofthelandscapebelowonablanksheetofpaper.Getthemtopointoutthedifferentmanmadeandnaturalfeaturesonthesketch.
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Stop5Stonecircle
TheimpressiveHamstoneblocksthathavebeenmadeintoastonecirclewereerectedattheturnofthemillenniumbyRichardEngland,whosefamilyhasquarriedHamstonefromHamHillforthreegenerations.
ThecircleisamonumenttoallthemenandwomenhaveworkedintheHamHillquarriesoverthelast2000years.Mostofthebuildingsinallthelocalvillagesandtowns,aremadefromHamstone,butevenasfarasExeterandLondonthereusedtobeademandforHamstone.Allofthestonewasdugbyhand,andlifewouldhavebeenverytoughasaquarryworkerorastonemason,whowouldhaveworkeduphereinallconditions.
Ifyoulookverycloselyatthestandingstones,youshouldbeabletoseemanycrushedupseashellsthatarethemainingredientinthissedimentarystone.Fossilisedseacreaturesyoucanspotincludeammonites,belemnitesandbivalves.ThesecreatureswerealiveatthesametimeastheearlyJurassicdinosaurs,andHamstoneismadefromtheirshells,thebonesofotherseacreaturesandalsopebbles,sandandsediment.Youshouldalsobeabletoseestreaksofironthatgivethestoneitsgoldencolourandalsocalcitecrystalsthatformnaturallyincracks.
Stop6ViewfromthePrinceofWales
Withthepubbehindyou,lookacrosstothewoodedslope.BeneaththesetreesandbushesliepartoftheIronAgerampartsystem.Thesearespecialarchaeologicalfeatures,whicharepartofthedesignatedscheduledancientmonumentstatusthatcoversmuchoftheCountryPark.Overthecomingyearstherangerteamwillbegraduallyclearingmostofthetreesfromtheslopeinordertoprotectthesefeatures.
OncethetreesarefelledtheRangersusuallysellsomeofthelogslocally,andtheincomefromthisisputstraightbackintothemanagementoftheCountryPark.Manyofthelogsareleftinsituinlargepiles,whichcreateawarandmoistmicroclimate,idealforinvertebratesandsmallreptilesandmammalstohibernateandhideawayin.SomeofthelargerpiecesoftimberareusedforconstructionprojectsintheCountryPark(e.g.gateposts).
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
DiscussionPoints(thesearelinkedtoeachofthestops):
1. WhatwouldtheCountryParklooklikeifhumanshadneverbeenherebefore,andyouwerethefirstpeopletovisit?Itwouldbeawoodedhilltop,anditwouldbeaflatplateauasnoneofthehamstonewouldhavebeenremoved,andnoneofthemanmadefeatureswouldexist.
2. HowwouldtherampartslookdifferentifwewerehereatthetimeoftheIronAge?Theywouldhavenotreesandscrubgrowingonthem,andthebankswouldbehigherandtheditchesdeeper.
3. GeorgeMitchellwasonlysixyearsoldwhenhewentouttoworkonthefieldshowwouldyoufeelifyouhadtoworkoutsideonyourownatthatage?
4. HowwouldtheviewbedifferentifwewerehereatthetimeoftheIronAge?Landscapebelowwouldhavenohousesandroadsetc.andthelandwouldbeunderwatermostoftheyear.
5. Howwouldthelandscapeherehavelookeddifferentbeforeitwasquarried?Thelargedipyouarestoodinwherethestonecircleiswouldhavebeenatthesameheightastheclifffacesaroundyou,andthelumpsandbumpswouldnthavebeenthereastheyarearelictofquarrying.
6. Doyouthinkitsacceptablethatthetreesarebeingcutdowntoprotectthearchaeology?Haveadiscussionaroundtheconflictofintereststhattherangershavetomanage,i.e.wildlife,archaeology,quarrying,geologyandrecreation.
Keyhealthandsafetypoints:SupervisionmakesureadultsarepositionedatthefrontandrearofthegroupsSteepdropswhilstwalkingalongridgeinstructchildrennottorunandtobesensiblealongtheridge
Mapshowingrouteofthegeographytour:
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Followup:Carryoutaresearchprojectaboutoneofthespecificareasofthegeographytour,e.g.IronAgeHamHill,thelifeofGeorgeMitchell,Quarryingandlocalhamstonebuildings,orcountrysiderangersusingtheHamHillwebsite:www.visitsouthsomerset.com/hamhill,usinglocalbooksandspeakingtotherangers.
Ham Hill Geography Tour
Stop 1 The Ham Hill Centre
Name 2 jobs the rangers do to look after Ham Hill:
1.___________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
Stop 2 The Iron Age ramparts
Give three reasons why people chose to live on Ham Hill at the time of the Iron Age:
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________
Stop 3 The Frying Pan
Why is this area called the Frying Pan?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Who made the Frying pan famous in the late 1800s and how?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Stop 4 War memorial
When was the war memorial built and why?
______________________________________________
_________________________________________ P.T.O
Hello and welcome to Ham Hill Country Park! Today you will find out how humans have been shaping the interesting landscape you see today on Ham Hill over thousands of yearsyour job is to listen carefully and answer all
the questions as you go round!
Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Put a tick against the features one the following page once you have seen them:
Farm Mendips
Lake Burrow Hill
Fruit fields Polden Hills
A303 Blackdown Hills
Martock Stoke sub Hamdon Church
Now make a sketch of the landscape below on a blank sheet of paper. Make sure you point out the different man-made and natural features on your sketch.
Stop 5 Stone circle
Why and when was the stone circle erected?
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Hamstone is a type of ___________________, which is a ___________________ rock.
What makes the stone golden/orange? _________________________________
Stop 6 View from the Prince of Wales pub
Why do the rangers cut down trees on the Iron Age ramparts?
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What happens to all the trees that are cut down?
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Ham H
ill - Geog
raphy
Use this space to write down anything else of interest you can see:
Minibeast study
What to do: FromtheCentre,walktowardsthecarparkarea,turnrightandwalkthroughthetwobouldersontothetarmacpath.Turnleft,leavingthetarmacpath,walkingthroughanopengrassyarea,andfollowthepathuptheslope.Continuetofollowthispathforapproximately3minutes/400muntilyoureachtheTimestonessculptures.
1. Explainthattheyaregoingonaminibeasthuntwhatanimalsdowemeanbyminibeasts?Getthemtomakesomesuggestions,andexplainthatminibeastsincludeallsmallcreatureswithnovertebrate(backbone),e.g.woodlice,beetles,spiders,flies,wormswhichiswhytheyarecalledinvertebrates.
2. Theseminibeastsliveingrasslandthatistheirhabitat/homewhatkeythingsdoesananimalneed
fromitshabitat?(Food,water,shelter)
3. Explainthatwemustthereforetakecareofthegrasslandhabitat(i.e.donttramplealloveritandpicktheflowersandgrasses)becauseitisahomeforhundredsofminibeastsandotheranimalstoo.Ifwedestroythegrasslandwearedestroyinganimalshomes.
4. Explainthatwhilstwearestudyingtheseverydelicateminibeastswemustlookafterthemandtreat
themwithcareandreturntheminonepiece!
5. Organisechildrenintosmallgroupsandassignanadulttoeachgroupifpossible.
6. Explainhowtousethefieldstudiesequipment:a. Usesweepnettocatchminibeastsinthegrassandbrackenareasdonotsweepnetoverany
brambles/thornytreesastheywillgettorn.b. Emptyminibeastsintotraysbygentlypushingthenetinsideoutclosetothetray.c. Useapaintbrushtogentlypushtheminibeastsintothemagnijarsdonotpickminibeastsup
withfingersastheywillgetsquashed.d. Makesurepaintbrushesandmagnijarsarekeptin/nexttothetrayasitseasytolose/treadon
themwhentheyrehiddeninthegrass.Distributethefieldstudiesequipmentamongstthegroups.
Practicalities:When: MaySeptemberandonlyindryweather,otherwiseminibeastsgetsquashedandmost
willbeshelteringunderground/intrees.Where: ThebestareaiswheretheTimestonessculpturesareasitisanareawitheasytodefine
boundariesandvarioustypesofvegetation,butanyareasoflonggrassarealsosuitable.Howlong: Approximately2hoursResources: Minibeastrecordsheet,Minibeaststudysheet(ifusing),clipboards,pencils,sweepnets,
trays,magnijars,andvariousminibeastIDguidessuchasthefoldoutIDguidesproducedbytheFieldStudiesCouncil(allavailabletohireattheHamHillCentre)oryoucanpurchaseIDguidesfrom:http://www.fieldstudiescouncil.org/publications/foldout.aspx
Ham
Hill - S
cience
Learningexperiences:Discoveringwildlifefirsthandinthefield,closeobservation,identificationandcomparisonofdifferentinvertebrates,askingscientificquestionstobuildupapictureofananimalscharacteristics,lifestyle&habitat.
Beforethesession:Haveadiscussionaroundwhatminibeasts/invertebrateschildrenhaveseenorhaveheardofbefore.Havealookforminibeastsintheschoolgrounds(wherepossible)andintroducetheconceptofhabitats,askwhathabitatstheymightfindatHamHill,anddiscusswhy