Report on Ancient Farming Project Rhunahaorine Primary
Argyll and Bute Council · 21 October 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Windfarm and Renewables Trust — 21 October 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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RHUNAHAORINE PRIMARY SCHOOL TAYINLOAN P1 – P7 PUPILS Exhibition 2024 ‘OUR ANCIENT KINTYRE FARMERS’ PROJECT INFORMATION
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ABOUT THE PROJECT 2024 Campbeltown Museum opened in 1898 in the Burnet building – a purpose- built library and Museum funded by James MacAlister Hall, who gifted the building to the people of Campbeltown. The Kintyre Antiquarian Society founded in 1921 with the object of studying ‘the Archaeological History and Antiquities of Kintyre’ added enormously to the Archaeological Collections through many valuable projects connected with local history, culture, and archaeology. Today, the museum is home to important collections of archaeological artefacts and natural sciences. For many years, schools from Kintyre have had the opportunity to take part in projects designed and delivered by Kilmartin Museum Education Service. These projects have been themed around certain collections within the Campbeltown museum but also incorporating archaeological sites within the Kintyre area. This project work has always culminated in pupils completed work being placed on display in the museum for the benefit of the local and wider community and visitors. This year’s project is entitled ‘Our Ancient Kintyre Farmers’ and is project work completed by Primary 1 – 7 pupils of Rhunahaorine Primary School, Tayinloan.
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With funding received from The West Kintyre Community Windfarm Trust, Rhunahaorine Primary school engaged the Kilmartin Museum Education team to design and deliver the project which commenced in August 2023 and completed in February 2024. It was hoped that this project would encourage young people to explore the wider catalogues within Campbeltown and Kilmartin Museum, enhance their knowledge of their immediate environment and bring the museum collections to life.
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Project Education Programme This project offered a unique opportunity for the children who are based in a rural primary school, to work with other professionals. Working with the Kilmartin Museum education team Julia and Jacquelyn, other professionals involved in the project were Suzie Fleming a textile artist, Khara MacPhail of Campbeltown Museum, Gaelic language specialist Àdhamh Ó Broin (CHARTS) and professional archaeologist Dr Aaron Watson. The project commenced in August 2023 and was completed at the end of February 2024. The intense schedule of activity and learning workshops took place within the Learning Centre at Kilmartin Museum, Rhunahaorine School, Campbeltown Museum and at archaeological sites within Kintyre and Mid Argyll. The unique project aims were to inspire pupils and assist understanding of their prehistoric farming heritage and the surrounding archaeological environments of Kintyre and Mid Argyll. By understanding and learning about the significance of the Neolithic (also known as the Early Farming period) and Bronze Age collections at both Kilmartin Museum and Campbeltown Museum, the children gained a greater in- depth insight into the cultural practices of the early Kintyre farming communities, their daily lives and the natural landscape and archaeological environments that surrounded these communities over 5,500 years ago. Included in the project programme was delivery of cultural and natural history activities, archaeological survey, the recording of a Kintyre ‘Rock Art’
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prehistoric stone carving, arts and traditional craft skills, photography, Gaelic language, and storytelling. A very important element of the project allowed the children to record and photograph a specific prehistoric ‘Rock Art’ site close to their school at North Muasdale. The children’s photo images have been used by Kilmartin Museums archaeologist Dr Aaron Watson to produce a 3d Photographic image of the rock carvings, which along with the survey recordings, will be officially recorded in Canmore (National Record of the Historic Environment). From Day one of the project, the children knew that their work would be finally exhibited within the museum and on display to the public throughout the spring and summer months. They have worked incredibly hard throughout the entire project and their creativeness, enthusiasm and dedication has been an inspiration to all of us who were involved in this project. They have also been taking part in the Heritage Hero Awards (Archaeology Scotland) put forward by the Kilmartin Museum Education team. The Heritage Hero Awards are a wider achievement award designed exclusively for history, heritage and archaeology projects and the childrens project work has counted towards an achievable award obtained by each child. All of their fabulous work is on display for the general public to enjoy until Autumn 2024.
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Project Objectives Objective 1: To assist the children in their understanding of the time period of the Neolithic and Bronze Age, the children will learn about the Campbeltown Museum & Kilmartin Museum collections, in particular, the archaeological and the natural history collections. They will also learn about the conservation and preservation of the collections and their importance to the Kintyre community and wider community both national and international. (Replica Neolithic & Bronze Age objects) Objective 2: As a possible form of prehistoric communication, Neolithic rock art carvings are found throughout Kintyre and Mid Argyll. Before commencing their own survey work on a rock art site in Kintyre, the children will visit one of the main ‘rock art’ panels at Achnabreac Forest Park to familiarise themselves with the design and patterns of carvings and also visit the joint archaeological excavation (Kilmartin Museum and Archaeology Scotland) site at Carnassarie Farm to see recently discovered new ‘Rock Art’. (Carnassarie Farm Excavation site)
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Objective 3 For the children to understand the importance of rock art in the Kintyre landscape, they will undertake a survey of a chosen site (North Muasdale) that has not been officially recorded for over 50 years. The children will record the site, take measurements, create drawings and sketches, take many photographs which will be used in the process of photogrammetry of the site. The photogrammetry will be used to create a 3D image of the rock art carvings, and this will be available online for the general public. A selection of photographs will be uploaded to Canmore (Historic Environment Scotland) by the Kilmartin Museum team. North Muasdale Carved Stones
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Objective 4: The children will learn about the daily lives of the people that once lived in Kintyre. Learning about the daily life of the Neolithic (Early Farmers) will also include costume, diet, roles in society, traditions and beliefs, music, language and song, early farming practices and the environmental effects on the landscape compared with the 21st century. Potential Skills for children to achieve individually and working as a team: Research techniques Map reading Archaeological survey and recording of a new ‘Rock Art’ site Drawing & Sketching Model making using ModRoc Using tree bark and producing natural paints to create ‘Bark maps’ Ancient technique of Butter making Dyeing of fleece using natural plant materials
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Using natural materials – Clay & textiles Creating costumes & jewellery Gaelic language & singing Storytelling Photography Filming & Video Create a mini museum using Gaelic names for objects The Museum Exhibition features the children’s work which includes: Samples of weave and felted textile work Handmade clay coiled ‘Bronze Age’ style pots Handmade clay tiles with carved designs Model of North Muasdale Carved stones Painted designs on Birch Bark Clay & shell necklaces Copy of the Rock Art survey and images Pupils Photographic and reflective diary of the project (available on the table) Curriculum Notes Art and design Through art and design, learners have rich opportunities to be creative and to experience inspiration and enjoyment. They explore a wide range of two- and three-dimensional media and technologies through practical activities, and create, express, and communicate ideas.
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Sciences Young people participating in the experiences and outcomes in the sciences will: • Develop a curiosity and understanding of their environment and their place in the living, material and physical world. (survey work) • demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the big ideas and concepts of the sciences. • develop skills of scientific inquiry and investigation using practical techniques (Surveying & Solar Dyeing) • recognise the role of creativity and inventiveness in the development of the sciences. (Art and craft work) • express opinions and make decisions on social, moral, ethical, economic and environmental issues based upon sound understanding. (Classroom discussion on Carbon Footprints & Climate Change) Social studies • develop an understanding of the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, and an appreciation of their local and national heritage within the world. • broaden their understanding of the world by learning about human activities and achievements in the past and present (Daily life 5,500 years ago) • develop an understanding of their own values, beliefs and cultures and those of others. (Gaelic language and storytelling) • learn how to locate, explore and link periods, people and events in time and place. ( Neolithic and Bronze Age life & the study of maps)
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Technologies Learning in the technologies enables young people to: • develop an understanding of the role and impact of technologies in changing and influencing societies. • contribute to building a better world by taking responsible, ethical actions to improve their life, the lives of others and the environment. • gain the confidence and skills to embrace and use technologies now and in the future, at home, at work and in the wider community. • be capable of making reasoned choices relating to the environment, sustainable development and ethical, economic and cultural issues (Carbon footprint workshop) • broaden their understanding of the role that information and communications technology (ICT) has in Scotland and in the global community (Photography workshop)
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THOSE INVOLVED IN PROJECT: KILMARTIN MUSEUM (KM) EDUCATION TEAM – Julia Hamilton & Jacquelyn Condie RHUNAHAORINE PRIMARY SCHOOL ACTING HEAD TEACHER - Catriona Brown RHUNAHAORINE PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS: Angus, Juliette, Camille, Stuart, Naeve, Arianne, Kieran, Charlotte, Cayden, Edel, Emme, Eilidh SUPPORT TEACHING STAFF – Marilyn Shedden CLASSROOM ASSISTANT – Lindsey Hurd TEXTILE ARTIST – Suzie Fleming GAELIC LANGUAGE SPECIALIST - Àdhamh Ó Broin CAMPBELTOWN MUSEUM CURATOR – Khara MacPhail ARCHAEOLOGIST – Dr Aaron Watson ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND – Gavin McGregor & Kieran Manchip This project was funded by The West Kintyre Community Wind Trust The Kilmartin Museum Education Team is supported by Historic Environment Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland and NatureScot