Abstract

Valley of the First Iron Masters – a web based resource for archaeology and education (www.ironmasters.hull.ac.uk)

Peter Halkon - Lecturer in Archaeology, Department of History University of Hull
Richard Green - Web developer – University of Hull
Mark Faulkner - Graphics developer – (Zabanda media)

This website, a collaborative effort between the East Riding Archaeological Society and the University of Hull, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, documents an award winning landscape archaeology project. This area has become known as the “Valley of the First Iron Masters” because it was home to one of Britain’s largest and earliest prehistoric iron industries, dating from around 300 BC, contemporary with the Hasholme log boat and Arras culture chariot burials. Other discoveries include a Palaeolithic handaxe and bones of straight-tusked elephant, Roman “villas”, roadside settlements and a regionally important Roman pottery industry.

Powered by a database, this website has been constructed with a variety of entry methods – an interactive “GIS” type map, “guides” and themes - on three user levels – basic, (children 9-12) intermediate (general adult user) and “research” (Archaeology undergraduates and other students in Higher Education) with a high-contrast version for those with impaired vision. It contains video clips from excavations, virtual “fly-through” reconstructions of landscapes and other features, such as an iron smelting furnace and Roman pottery kiln.

This contribution will demonstrate aspects of the website and its construction and discuss its potential for presenting the past to varied audiences. The website is currently being used in the teaching and assessment of a second year undergraduate Archaeology module “Exploring Ancient Landscapes”.

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