Events at The Manchester Museum
16 Feb 2011
New Stonehenge: henge diggers exhibition (19 Feb-17 July), half-term activities (21-25 Feb), and China and its neighbours talk (22 Feb)
Stonehenge: henge diggers
19 February-17 July 2011
Free entry
Photos by Bill Bevan and emotive texts capture the feelings of archaeologists, some from The University of Manchester, as they dig and make discoveries near this renowned sacred site.
In 2008 archaeologists gathered near Stonehenge to carry out internationally important archaeological research - the Stonehenge Riverside Project. This gathering of archaeologists from a variety of places and backgrounds to undertake shared labour echoed the original purpose of Stonehenge as a ceremonial centre for prehistoric communities.
As well as capturing the feelings and emotions of the archaeologists as they work, the photos and texts document the structured approach archaeologists take to excavate ancient sites.
"I quickly took to the pace of an archaeological excavation, the slow-slow-quick pace of work, and tried to work with my camera in the same way as the archaeologists were working with their tools - to frame decisive moments in time - in order to convey the way archaeologists work. It was a privilege to be granted such open access by the team and an amazing experience to be working in the shadow of Stonehenge, Britain's most iconic prehistoric monument."
Bill Bevan
Tuesday 22 February / 12.30-1.30pm
Confucius Institute China talk: China and its neighbours
With Professor William Callahan, The University of Manchester. While many talk about China as a new global power, the People's Republic of China is most active with its neighbours in East, South East and Central Asia. This talk will explore China's historical relations with its surrounding countries to see how that is shaping China's new leadership in the region. Professor William Callahan is Professor of International Politics and China Studies at The University of Manchester and Co-Director of the British Inter-university China Centre, Oxford. Part of a series of monthly talks by The Confucius Institute and part of our CHINA: JOURNEY TO THE EAST exhibition.
Book on 0161 275 2648, free, adults and older children
Feb half-term
Monday 21 to Friday 25 February / 11am-4pm
Year of the Rabbit
It is said that people born in the Year of the Rabbit are creative, compassionate and sensitive. Identify and make your Chinese Zodiac animal. Part of our CHINA: JOURNEY TO THE EAST exhibition.
Most activities are free and drop-in. Some activities may need to be booked on the day and may cost up to £1.50. All ages
Thursday 24 February / 12-3pm
The Ancients
Step back in time and meet our ancient ancestors by helping decorate our cave with a cave painting or by designing your own stone circle. Linked to the BBC’s Hands On History-The Ancients and the Museum’s Stonehenge: henge diggers exhibition.
Drop-in, free, all ages
Friday 25 February / 11am-12pm
Magic Carpet: Year of the Rabbit
Meet mummy, daddy and baby rabbits in this storytelling and activity session for under 5s.
Book on 0161 275 2648 (from 18 Feb), £1 per child, under 5s and their families/carers
To find out more:
- Visit The Manchester Museum’s website
or - Sign up for The Manchester Museum's e-news