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23 July 2021

Wisbech Museum presents TV's Time Team archaeologist

Find out about the pre-history of the Fens from archeologist, author and TV presenter Francis Pryor, who's giving a free lunchtime talk of special interest to local people online on Tuesday, July 27.

He will base his talk on the collection of Wisbech and Fenland Museum and his own experience of 50 years studying how our prehistoric ancestors lived in the Fens, long before attempts to drain the waterlogged marshes began.

Francis Pryor has studied the archaeology of the Fens since 1971. His major excavations in the region took place near Peterborough at Fengate, Maxey and Etton.

In 1982 his team’s survey of Fenland drainage dykes revealed the timbers of a waterlogged Bronze Age timber platform and causeway at Flag Fen, which was opened to the public in 1989.

He was a member of Channel 4’s long-running series Time Team. He has written many popular books including Seahenge (2001), Britain BC (2003), Britain AD (2004), The Making of the British Landscape (2010), Home (2014), Stonehenge (2016) and The Fens (2019). His most recent book Scenes from Prehistoric Life will be published next month.

Sarah Coleman of Wisbech and Fenland Museum said: “We are delighted to welcome Francis Pryor to our summer programme of events, linking the Museum's collection to the living history of our area.”

Pre-booking for the talk at 1pm on Tuesday can be done using the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/francis-pryor-the-fens-tickets-163183284597

Also on Tuesday, Wisbech Museum, which is closed for major renovations and therefore is staging events out and about the district as well as online, is holding a Fabulous Fossils workshop for families at St Peter's Church Hall, Wisbech.

From 10am to 2pm families with children over three are welcome to drop in and take part in free craft activities inspired by the Museum's fantastic collection of fossils.

Face coverings must be worn by anyone aged 11+ and social distancing will be observed.

For more details visit https://www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/2021-07-27