Archaeology

Every assignment is an exciting one - and every programme is different. But to be honest when I was asked to do an Outside Broadcast from Coxwold where 'some young people' were involved in an archaeological dig - it didn't grab me. 

Elly gets her hands dirty

I love challenges and I love working with young people. But I'll let you into a little secret, I loathed history at school, in fact I really couldn't see the point of it. I was a linguist after all, why should I have to read things out of a book and try and get enthused by it?

Wind the clock forward to Tuesday 21 March 2006 and my whole perspective on history has changed quite dramatically. In the village of Coxwold, which is north of York, there's a buzz amongst the residents. The arrival of archaeologist, Dr Carenza Lewis (you'll know the name from TV's Time Team) has got everyone talking. 

She's heading up a special project which is aimed at young people getting their hands dirty and doing their own 'digs'. The students from Fulford Comprehensive in York and Easingwold School were so excited about the finds they were making. 

Pupils - practical history

Here in the field I was broadcasting from, there was a wealth of medieval pottery. The site was home to a few cottages, now it's a field. A field which the owner had kindly said could be dug up in various parts. 

As I looked across the valley, with the bitter wind blowing around, here I was amongst a group of enthusiastic young people, trying to find out a bit more about the past. 

Across the valley was Byland Abbey. Behind me was the medieval church and here I was standing in a field, in my wellies, talking to a respected archaeologist who was very excited about the village of Coxwold.

Dr Lewis challenged me to get my hands dirty. How could I refuse someone who had convinced me that archaeology is sexy? Once I got stuck in, the wind seemed to disappear and the bitter cold didn't matter. 

Students uncover jug

For the short time that I was working with the students, I managed to unearth a few bits of pottery. Up the hill they had put together a medieval jug. They'd discovered each tiny bit and managed to piece it together. 

Why hadn't history been like this when I was at school? The team hopes that they may discover at least one of the medieval pottery kilns. I was reluctant to come away and now as I sit at at my desk I'm just wondering how the dig is going?

Not bad for a woman who really had no interest to start with. When is my next dig?

Elly Fiorentini