Local children get hands-on lesson in Olympic Park past
London teacher | 27.06.2008 08:45 | History | London
I spent the day this week with local London children investigating the past of London around the Olympis site, a fantastic reminder of the joy children get from discovering histroy for the first time
Over 200 children from local schools and community groups are learning first hand the important past of their area that is being uncovered in the creation of the London 2012 Olympic Park. The children are taking part in three weeks of archaeological activities organised by the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Museum of London on the Hackney Marshes as part of the ‘discover’ programme launched earlier this year.
As well as learning more about how the area has transformed over thousands of years the children will be able to examine clues to the past found on the site ranging from the Iron Age and Roman activities in the area to discoveries from recent times. Archaeological investigations have been taking place on the Olympic Park ahead of the construction of the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Along with these community events, the year-long ‘discover’ project will give local people an insight into the fascinating past of the Olympic Park through talks and roadshows across the five Host Boroughs. More information on ‘discover’ is available at www.london2012.com/discover
In a visit to the ‘Discover’ event today ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'London 2012 is transforming the Lower Lea Valley for future generations. The ‘Discover’ programme is a great opportunity for local young people to learn more about the past of their area as it becomes the parklands, venues, homes, waterways and employment space they will enjoy as a legacy of the Games.'
Archaeological finds around the Olympic Park site include four prehistoric skeletons buried in graves around an area of Iron Age settlement, a Roman coin, Roman river walls, Second World War gun emplacements and a complete 19 century boat used for hunting wild fowl on the lower River Lea. Archaeologists have also been charting the topography of the site to build a picture of how the land and waterways have developed and how climate change has affected the area.
Olympic Park timeline:
3000BC: wetlands which the early Londoners navigated by timber walkways to fish and hunt.
50AD: the Roman road ‘Ermine Street’ from London to Colchester crossed marshes
Late 9th century – King Alfred reputedly dug Channelsea river to divert invading Vikings from the Thames on their way to London
1110: The first stone arch ‘bow’ bridge in Britain, gave the area its name
1135: Cistercian Abbey exploited Lea water power
Late 12th century: Knights Templar water mill (Temple Mills)
17th/18th century: UK’s first calico printer and porcelain factory
1892: UK’s first petrol factory.
1858: The Northern Outfall Sewer constructed
1860: Plastic invented in the Lea Valley.
1876: Dry cleaning introduced to the UK.
1904: William Yardley cosmetics, soap and lavender factory
As well as learning more about how the area has transformed over thousands of years the children will be able to examine clues to the past found on the site ranging from the Iron Age and Roman activities in the area to discoveries from recent times. Archaeological investigations have been taking place on the Olympic Park ahead of the construction of the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Along with these community events, the year-long ‘discover’ project will give local people an insight into the fascinating past of the Olympic Park through talks and roadshows across the five Host Boroughs. More information on ‘discover’ is available at www.london2012.com/discover
In a visit to the ‘Discover’ event today ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'London 2012 is transforming the Lower Lea Valley for future generations. The ‘Discover’ programme is a great opportunity for local young people to learn more about the past of their area as it becomes the parklands, venues, homes, waterways and employment space they will enjoy as a legacy of the Games.'
Archaeological finds around the Olympic Park site include four prehistoric skeletons buried in graves around an area of Iron Age settlement, a Roman coin, Roman river walls, Second World War gun emplacements and a complete 19 century boat used for hunting wild fowl on the lower River Lea. Archaeologists have also been charting the topography of the site to build a picture of how the land and waterways have developed and how climate change has affected the area.
Olympic Park timeline:
3000BC: wetlands which the early Londoners navigated by timber walkways to fish and hunt.
50AD: the Roman road ‘Ermine Street’ from London to Colchester crossed marshes
Late 9th century – King Alfred reputedly dug Channelsea river to divert invading Vikings from the Thames on their way to London
1110: The first stone arch ‘bow’ bridge in Britain, gave the area its name
1135: Cistercian Abbey exploited Lea water power
Late 12th century: Knights Templar water mill (Temple Mills)
17th/18th century: UK’s first calico printer and porcelain factory
1892: UK’s first petrol factory.
1858: The Northern Outfall Sewer constructed
1860: Plastic invented in the Lea Valley.
1876: Dry cleaning introduced to the UK.
1904: William Yardley cosmetics, soap and lavender factory
London teacher
