Aimee is now our longest serving volunteer and so has updated us on her favourite objects and her forthcoming PhD. 

Why did I start volunteering for the PAS?

I did a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology and wanted to get more involved with the archaeology side of things, so I started volunteering for the PAS alongside taking part in community digs; that way, I got to see the whole picture of archaeology from small finds through to large-scale excavation. Although I’ve now moved away from archaeology and more into history, I find that working with the objects helps to keep history in perspective.

What period of the past most interests me?

I’m most interested in Classical Greece and the Hellenistic period that follows. In terms of British history, I’m most interested in the Roman period, but I can find something appealing in all time periods!

Which objects most interest me?

I particularly like Polden Hill brooches, but have recently developed a bit of a love for Roman coins as the imagery on them is so rich. I also really like medieval seal matrices! Which of the finds I have recorded is my favourite? Probably a gilded Roman disc brooch, similar to this one WMID-997A92. Even though it is incomplete, it looks quite modern, and I can imagine someone picking it up to wear today.

What is my favourite historical site or monument?

I don’t visit historical sites nearly as much as I should, but I think the House of Dionysus in the archaeological park in Paphos in Cyprus was really amazing with some fantastically preserved mosaics. At the moment my most visited historical site is Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire, owned by the National Trust, which has some amazing Neo-classical murals based on classical mythology that I was so blown away by I’m giving a talk about them!

What are my other interests outside archaeology?

I’m about to embark on a PhD in Classics so do enjoy history more generally; luckily for the rest of the PAS West Midlands team I also enjoy baking, and gardening where I grow a lot of my ingredients!

Andrew

Why did I start volunteering for the PAS?

(January 2019). I came to volunteering via detecting. I had been a lurker on Twitter and saw the post for volunteer advertised on my local FLO’s Twitter feed. I hadn’t thought about volunteering before this. I have never found much while detecting but had seen some remarkable finds by members of my local club. I would try to investigate some of these finds further but with limited success. I became more and more interested in the finds.

What period of the past most interests me?

Difficult to say. I tend to become interested in the period defined by the object I’m recording at any one time!

Which objects most interest me?

I am intrigued by the different ways the spring and pin were wired into the  head of a Roman brooch. I also love the detective work needed to identify and classify Medieval coins, (say) an Edward penny. Not keen on flints or pottery: I wouldn’t know where to start.

Which of the finds I have recorded is my favourite?

I have a soft spot for one of my earliest finds (although I didn’t record it) a Charles I silver shilling. I have also found a sestertius of Trajan not far from the river Trent.

What is my favourite historical site or monument?

The Battle of Hopton Heath took place just outside Stafford. I have detected all round the defined battle field. Lots of contemporary buttons and buckles but no hoards!

What are my other interests outside archaeology?

Off road biking (mainly Cannock Chase), computers, air shows, the countryside. Always watch ‘Gold Rush’ and ‘Gold Divers’ on the Discovery channel!

Becky

Why did I start volunteering for the PAS?

I wanted to study to be an archaeologist when I left school but things never quite went to plan.  Throughout my early teens I was obsessed with ancient history and in particular Egyptology.  Encouraged by my Dad, who loved to talk about ancient Egypt and the Incas, I would avidly read books and watch TV programmes on the subject.  Aged 13, I was fortunate enough to go on a school trip taking in sights such as Ephesus, Delphi, Giza and Cairo where I visited the Tutankhamun exhibition, (He was up there with Duran Duran for me in those days!) which made a lasting impression.  30 years later, I decided to take a taster course in Archaeology with the University of Leicester and wanted to find a pastime that would enable me to continue learning.  I saw an email from BMAG, looking for volunteers for PAS and decided to apply, not really thinking I would get the call. I was thrilled when I was called in for an interview and got the role. 

What period of the past most interests me?

There are so many to choose from.  I love ancient history but since joining PAS, I’ve developed a fondness for Roman and Medieval periods as well.   Recording objects that reflect the minutiae of a past, everyday life, brings you closer to that period and makes you think about the human aspect and the context in which the object was used.

Which objects most interest me?

Sadly all objects interest me! From horse shoes to spindle whorls, but I particularly like jewellery and coins/tokens.  I haven’t recorded much jewellery but I like that they are usually personal items that would have been worn and loved by a person.  Most of the coins I’ve identified have been difficult to read, so it always feels like an achievement to find out their identities and the stories behind them.

Which of the finds I have recorded is my favourite?

A Bronze aged knife – A fan shaped blade with a beautiful green patina.  There was a piece of wood still in the socket.  It is incredible that I could hold something that old. 

What is my favourite historical site or monument?

Again there are so many, but probably Ephesus in Turkey.  I remember being star struck as a 13 year old, after being told Anthony and Cleopatra drove along the Arcadian Way.

What are my other interests outside archaeology?

I love the countryside and walking. We have a Golden Retriever who likes to take us out to greet his public and two cats that enjoy eating out and bringing their food home – usually alive. I also like crafting, quizzes and visiting art galleries.

Jane

Why did I want to volunteer?    In January 2019 I was looking for an opportunity to volunteer in a conservation project and found the answer at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.  It has been so much fun and as a volunteer I have been encouraged to learn about the many different artefacts we are brought by the detectorists, each one is part of our social history.  You wonder who has handled the objects, who created them, what they were for, how they may have evolved into modern items used today – clothing items, domestic utensils, metal objects, coins etc.  So it is very much a learning, hands-on role, and we have been given many opportunities to go on training courses, visit the British Museum and to handle real treasure!

Favourite historical period?  I think post medieval, (AD 1509-1660) as this period seems to be very much about Britain evolving and developing.

Favourite place?  We recently visited Windsor castle, which has so much history, with its beautiful state rooms, art, grounds and is a majestic historic family home.  We went on a beautiful Autumn day, and all the visitors seemed to be enthralled by what they were seeing. 

Favourite find?  The little apple corer/pastry jigger (ref WMID-9EE891).  I can imagine it being used in a post-medieval kitchen!  The find is a complete Post-Medieval/ Early-Modern copper alloy probable apple corer, consisting of the tongue-shaped utensil end and rectangular-sectioned shank. It measures 49.19mm in length, 14.34mm width at utensil end and weighs 5g.

The utensil is light brown/green coloured, with the end U-shaped in cross-section and a serrated edge. The outside surface is decorated with inverted and narrowing V-shaped grooves, extending from the edge serrations, and a pair of transverse grooves closer to the narrower end. 

There are similar items on the PAS database, some made from sheeps bone.  Two personal comments made by PAS FLOs give a greater history of the apple corers/cheese scoops/pastry jiggers:

Kate Sumnall, FLO, comments: ‘There are bone scoops recorded from excavations in London which traditionally are known as apple corers, cheese scoops, etc.’ (pers.comm. 2013). Peter Reavill, FLO, adds: ‘A number of Medieval apple corers made from the front legs of sheep were discovered during the Canterbury Whitefriars excavations – all from pits associated with the friary and businesses outside the friary’ (pers.comm. 2013).

Bucket list find?  A beautiful piece of gold jewellery!  We can but dream!

What are my other interests outside archaeology?

I love to make things, particularly curtains, cushions, reupholstery, renovating clothes – you can see the theme of conservation  I have spent lockdown making curtains for my daughter-in-law, grand-daughter and even for my own home (when time permits!).  Gardening is also a great love.  And family history.