Hey Blog! This post is about one of the most fantastic things I’ve gained through Scouting!
First of all, sorry for the long pause. I have had a history exam and it requires a lot of time to revise, and what with all the other things I partake in, HEIAS has got a little sidelined. I promise a bit more regularity in future!
Now, for the blog. You know about my involvement in Scouting, and how I help with the Archaeology team. I’ve also told you about how I represented the Archaeology team across the country after the Anglo-Saxon brooch was found at one of our digs, and how I’ve been on practically all the digs and activities, besides running sessions to help others gain their Archaeology badge, and generally supported the team. Now I’m going to tell you about the incredible recognition I was not expecting when I started!
We did go back to Willesley, where the brooch was found. None of the team, nor me, could resist it. We accidentally intentionally opened a trench slightly to the side of where we had planned; however that gave us the chance to have two trenches, and double what we could find! Over two weekends, we uncovered some of the inside of the hall, the base of the steps up to the front door, and rather deep foundations – deeper than we were expecting! We also found quite a few shards of green glaze pottery (13th-16th century), probably enough to make half a pot; a possible fireplace (not sure); a beautiful brick surface; and one rather interesting tooth. I helped as a Young Leader, showing the Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers how to wash pots, how to dig, identifying what they’d found, and assisting with their digging – besides digging a lot myself! The Youth Committee, of which I am a member, also came for a session, and as the highlight of that day, went to Ashby Museum to hand over the brooch for safekeeping and public display.
The brooch, I should recap, is an Anglo-Saxon one – made c. 520-575 AD/CE, and of the Great Square Headed type. It has stylised eagle heads on the top corners, and a diamond patten in the middle, further down. The diamond shape in the centre spreads to a cross-like outline, and the entire piece is made of copper alloy covered with silver. There is a hint of niello – a rare, high-status black alloy of silver, sulphur, and other elements, which would have made the silver ridges stand out and makes it an even more important find. It would have been worn upside down – which would make it look a bit like a market cross, at least to my eyes – and was probably for a child. This makes a beautiful circle – made for a child, fifteen hundred years ago, and found by two children, in the 21st century!
At the museum, we inspected the galleries before team lead Morgause introduced the team, then I, as senior Young Leader on the team, introduced the Youth Committee, upon which the brooch was introduced as our star find. Some new information about the brooch (including some I’ve said above) was also given. The brooch was handed to the museum staff, and everyone got the badge for attending the Willesley dig. And then – a complete surprise – Morgause and the District Lead Volunteer (formerly District Commissioner) presented the two girls who found the brooch, and then me, with Commendation Awards: them for finding it, and advocating for the team so well, and me for helping the team, representing us at events, and “leadership, initiative, and passion for both Scouting and archaeology”!
I am rather pleased with the award. I did not expect it, but it’s nice to get. It’s an award that applies in every section, and can be worn the entire Scouting career. That reminds me, I need to go and sew it on. But I will wear it with pride, and hopefully continue to represent Scouting – and archaeology – for a long time to come. What next?!
