Catching up with Cornwall YAC!

June 2026

Since launching in November 2025, Cornwall YAC have been busy with fieldtrips, test-pitting, digital reconstructions and more! In our latest blog, branch leader Tanya shares some of the club’s recent activities and their upcoming plans for this year’s Festival of Archaeology.

Exploring the Prehistoric Landscape of Bodmin Moor

Under glorious sunshine on Saturday, a group of enthusiastic young archaeologists and their families gathered on Bodmin Moor for a fascinating day of discovery, learning, and hands-on heritage exploration.

The event offered participants a unique opportunity to explore the rich archaeological landscape of Bodmin Moor, uncovering stories that span thousands of years – from an initial Bronze Age settlement site through to later medieval activity and historic mining remains.

A special thank you goes to Nick Hart for his generous hospitality throughout the day. From hosting the test-pitting event to providing an engaging talk and guided tour of the site, his expertise and enthusiasm helped bring the landscape’s history vividly to life. Attendees also enjoyed several picturesque lunch spots, complete with stunning panoramic views across the moor.

The day provided an invaluable chance for both children and adults to experience history in situ, learning directly within the historic environment itself. Young participants eagerly took part in archaeological activities, gaining practical insight into how archaeologists investigate and interpret the past.

The organisers also extended heartfelt thanks to all of the facilitators and committee members whose support made the event possible. Beyond sharing their extensive knowledge with the next generation of archaeologists, the gathering also created an opportunity for committee members to meet and collaborate in person around a shared passion for heritage and archaeology.

This event forms part of a wider programme of exciting heritage activities taking place across Cornwall this year, all linked to Bodmin Moor and supported through the ‘Natural Beauty & the Beast’ Project. The project is delivered by Cornwall National Landscape with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose support has helped make events like this possible.

Several finds were uncovered during the day, with hopes for many more discoveries in future excavations. Organisers thanked everyone who attended for their enthusiasm, participation, and continued support for local heritage.

For one sunny Saturday on Bodmin Moor, archaeology once again brought people together – not only to dig into the ground, but to dig deeper into Cornwall’s remarkable past.

Pickaxes and Pixels!

Cornwall Young Archaeologists’ Club recently visited part of the historic mining landscape around Liskeard. Although much of the area is now ruinous, the group explored Phoenix United Mine, whose surviving structures gave the Young Archaeologists a real sense of the scale and importance of these mining buildings in their industrial heyday.

During the visit, the group examined the wider landscape and discussed the archaeology that remains today: which included the Hurlers (3 neolithic/bronze age stone circles), the former railway track that once transported coal to the site in exchange for tin and copper, scattered stone walls, and areas of crushed spoil. The Young Archaeologists also carried out a survey of Phoenix United Mine, measuring walls and creating plans that would later be used during the second day of the project.

On Day 2, the Young Archaeologists transformed what they had seen in the field into detailed Minecraft builds. Their recreations brought the historic mining landscape to life, complete with engine houses, mines, railways, water wheels, Cornish beam engines, and veins of tin and copper hidden underground. The creativity and enthusiasm shown by the group were outstanding.

The project was a great success and would not have been possible without the support of Iain Rowe from Cornwall National Landscape, Lesley Strong from Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, and Mark Blake and Ed Hart at Liskeard Library. The event was made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Natural Beauty and Beast Project.

Join our Festival of Archaeology event at Boden!

Be an archaeologist for the day at Boden- Cornwall Young Archaeologists Club at Boden, Lizard Peninsula!

Young archaeologists in Cornwall will have the opportunity to excavate test pits and learn all about pottery at Boden on the Lizard for this year’s Festival of Archaeology event.

We are opening a new are for test pits this year, and our young archaeologists will be given a guided tour of the site by James Gossip, chairman of Meneage Archaeology Group and Senior archaeologist at Cornwall Archaeological Unit.

Our young archaeologists will also learn all about Trevisker ware in a pottery workshop run by Laura Miucci from Lore & Piece.

Date: 18th July 2026

Time: 11am to 3pm

15 spaces available for children aged 8-16 years.

Previous discoveries from the area have included some fascinating Roman finds, including the largest piece of Samian ware found in the southwest! Our young archaeologists will be test pitting not too far from where it was discovered.