Festival of British Archaeology is unearthing the past, writes Claire Brine

Vindolanda, Hadrian's Wall

IT'S time to excavate your inner archaeologist. The Festival of British Archaeology is in full swing, and across the country members of the public are getting their hands dirty by taking part in mini-digs, finding out about flint tool-making and even learning ancient fire-lighting techniques.

This is the twentieth year that the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) has co-ordinated the celebration of British heritage - which runs till 2 August - and this summer budding archaeologists can take their pick from more than 600 events.

Visitors to Rugby Art Gallery and Museum can watch a demonstration of Roman shoemaking. In Sheffield people have the chance to help excavate a Victorian terraced house.

Numerous locations are holding identification days, when visitors can take along their mysterious archaeological finds and have them analysed by experts.

But why are people interested in archaeology?

Stonehenge still holds secrets

‘Witnessing something that has not been seen for 1,000 years or more being lifted from the soil fascinates people,' says Dr Mike Heyworth, director of the CBA. ‘And the festival is an excellent opportunity to showcase the fantastic heritage that is on everyone's doorstep.'

Each year more people attend the festival events - which suggests that many of us are attracted to ancient artefacts.

We want to know what life was like when an object was made. How did people live? What did they do?

Sometimes finding an object from the past brings financial gain. But the real value of a find, whether in Britain or farther afield, lies in the treasure itself - a treasure that has lasted hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of years.

Not everything is strong enough to stand the test of time. Things which are able to survive through the ages are rare - and special.

Cedars Park, Hertfordshire

The books of the Bible are themselves ancient documents and they are relevant not only to the ancient world uncovered by archaeology. The message which they contain - of God's love - has spanned centuries and continues to affect people's lives today.

One of the Bible writers recognised the truth when he said of God: ‘His love endures for ever' (Psalm 136:1 New International Version).

God's love never decays with time. He remains strong, even when we feel fragile. He puts us back together when we are falling apart. And if we ask him for forgiveness, he does not keep digging up the parts of our lives that are best left in the past.

God's love was there at the beginning of time. It is here now. It will be here tomorrow. But when it comes to discovering it for ourselves, there is no time like the present.

War Cry 25 July 2009

War Cry Archive - - Council for British Archaeology