SHAAS is your local Community Archaeology society. One of its aims is to help in educating, training and providing access to a wide range of archaeological techniques for those interested within the local community.
Taster sessions
Our half day taster sessions are very popular, being held during the school summer holidays, with a maximum of 20 in each session. Usually an adult accompanying a child (of all ages).
They are split into two groups and spend some time metal detecting or digging in a trench and cleaning their finds. Unfortunately these open days were not possible in 2024 as the land was up for sale.
Everyone is very keen to explore with the metal detecting.
In 2019 on Southborough Common one child found a rusty old WWII pistol.
Not every metal find is as exciting, but regularly finds include modern coins, door hinges, nails, spent bullets and tin cans, but the children love it.
A test pit is created for the open day,
with genuine finds hidden to be found.
It's like a treasure hunt and everyone is very enthusiastic. They are shown how to clean their finds, with water and a toothbrush.
Open Days
Each year we join in the UK Heritage Open Days and the UK Festival of Archaeology Week.
We offer tours of our latest excavation site and regularly attract 40 to 50 people each half day event. During which there is a talk and tour, lasting about one hour. The site is explained, and finds are shown.
Unfortunately, these were not possible during 2024 as the land with the excavation site was up for sale.
We can:
- Arrange a visit to our excavation for local youth groups, for example brownies, scouts, sea cadets, U3A, home schooling groups etc. The visit can be taylor made to suit the age and particular interests of the group.
- Provide an exhibition stand for local events.
In recent years we had stands at the Southborough Society exhibition in
St Peter's Church and for the opening of the Southborough Hub.
- Visit local primary schools, working with the teachers, showing educational archaeological samples, digging box etc.
- Provide a speaker for a talk
If you are interested in arraging something with us,
please contact us via our contact page
Copyright 2025 Southborough and High Brooms Amateur Archaeological Society