Time Team expert digs deep for students

Wessex Archaeology project manager Mark Williams – a colleague of Time Team star Phil Harding – delivered the Applied Science department’s inaugural Christmas lecture at the Medway Campus last Tuesday (13 December).

He spoke to staff and students about how scientists and archaeologists work together to explore the secrets of the past, using techniques such as carbon dating.

Mr Williams also provided an insight into some of the recent excavations carried out by Wessex Archaeology in Kent, including of a medieval burial ground at Springhead, near Gravesend, and a separate dig at Chatham Dockyard.

He told the students: “We produce stories about what happened in the past. We need to try to get as close to the truth as possible, so it’s all about collecting evidence.”

Wessex Archaeology, which has an office in Rochester, has worked behind the scenes on Time Team since the popular Channel 4 show began in 1994.

Pamla (correct) Walker, Applied Science lecturer at MidKent College, said: “We wanted to introduce students to something other than the lab and show them what other industries scientists can be involved in.

“For example, scientists are needed in archaeology to specialise in areas such as carbon dating and osteoarchaeology. There are so many options out there.”

MidKent College offers several qualifications in the field of Applied Science and houses a number of laboratories equipped to university degree standard.

The College also runs Higher Education courses in Applied Chemistry (Higher National Diploma) and Life Science Laboratory Technology & Bio-Manufacturing (Foundation Degree).

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For all media enquiries, please contact Steve Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer, on 01634 383277 or email steve.knight@midkent.ac.uk.