Getting Involved

Mark Olly himself is one of the most active archaeologists in the whole of the UK. While he isn't surveying land he spends many of his waking hours working with re-enactment societies committed to the awareness of Celtic, Anglo Saxon, Viking and Roman life,death culture. This is probably one of the most satisfying ways of finding out what it was like to live in a certain era.

Should you prefer more sedate activities involving a trowel instead of a broadsword, you might wish to become involved with a local archaeological society.

Once again Mark directs his own archaeology group of volunteers who operate from the Cheshire area.

Metal detecting is always a knotty subject but let us try to explain the position mainly so that you do not fall foul of the law.

Your decision to take part in metal detecting is a moral one and there are many arguments for and against.

Archaologists are open minded about their use as long as there is a system of recording and the hobby is done responsibly under the auspices of a recognised society.

Our human instinct is to extract the "treasure" take it home and place it on the mantle piece.

However together with other finds, it may well be a vital piece of evidence which will help us all piece together the many mysteries of the past. It is far more interesting to find an item with a historical context.

Here's a site which lists metal detecting societies many of which are located in the North West and North Wales

http://fid.newbury.net/clubs.html

Much of the new historical research is being done by enthusiasts within re-enactment societies.

Take a look at http://www.the-reenactor.co.uk which lists most of the societies operating within the UK.

Some further weblinks of interest organised under topic listings:

Archaeology & History
BBC sites
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/
Portable Antiquities Scheme - report your finds here!
http://www.finds.org.uk/

Re-enactment Groups
Regia Anglorum
http://www.regia.org/
Roman Tours Chester
http://www.roman-tours-chester.co.uk/schools.htm
Wirral Vikings
http://www.wirralvikings.uklinux.net/
English Civil War Society
http://www.english-civil-war-society.org/public_html/

Current Digs
Chester Amphitheatre
http://www.chester.gov.uk/amphitheatre/index.html

ITV Granada
"Lost Treasures" Info page
http://www.itvregions.com/granada/