Children from a Perth school have been learning about the lives of their Iron Age ancestors during a “hands-on” experience.
As well as helping with the ongoing archaeological excavation at Moncreiffe Hill’s Moredun Fort the youngsters from St John’s Academy have been learning bushcraft skills that living from the land would have required.
The excavations, which have been assisted by a band of volunteers, have continued to unearth new discoveries, shedding light on the day-to-day life of those who lived on the hilltop which overlooks Perth and Bridge of Earn
“After our initial excavations last year we thought we may have uncovered a broch, an Iron Age tower, as was recently discovered by Glasgow University near Dunning,” said site director David Strachan from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust,
“Our excavations this year have shown the structure to look more like a dun or monumental roundhouse, similar to the example we excavated near Pitlochry a few years ago.
“With walls up to 5 metres thick, these buildings were certainly trying to appear broch-like, but were constrained in their height by the available building materials.”
On Saturday there will be an opportunity for the general public to have a close up look at the fort and the excavations.
The Tay Landscape Partnership is putting on a fun family day from 10am to 3.30pm.
From the Tay car park people will follow a trail to investigate the past in a Perth Museum and Art Gallery pop up museum, build some dens, get creative with woodland art to explore aspects of Iron Age living, visit the archaeological excavation and then have a go at digging themselves.
Children can collect stickers at each stage to earn the title of Heritage Hero and be awarded with a certificate.
All activities are on a drop in basis. The last hillfort tour is at 3pm.
To access the main Tay car park turn east off the A912 Edinburgh Road (by the M90 motorway ramp) onto Rhynd Road. Follow the minor road for roughly one mile and the car park is on the right.
