The Meso-what? The public perception of the Mesolithic

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Context of the researchRecent research at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr has provided some important new discoveries including the excavation of 'Britain's earliest house' dating to about 9500 BC. The 'house' structure would have been very close to the shore of an ancient lake, and on the edges of this lake there is evidence of a large wooden platform made of timbers which have been split and hewn: the earliest evidence of carpentry in Europe. This research led Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts, to say: 'This exciting discovery marries world-class research with the lives of our ancestors. It brings out the similarities and differences between modern life and the ancient past in a fascinating way, and will change our perceptions forever. I congratulate the research team and look forward to their future discoveries.'These discoveries are internationally significant and the site is well known to archaeologists around the world, however, local people are largely unaware of it. Surveys carried out in Scarborough over the last 2 years have revealed that on average less than 7% of the local people questioned had heard of the site; less than 5% this year following extensive media coverage in local, national and international newspapers, television and radio! It has become an important part of the Star Carr project to disseminate the results of the work as well as broader information about the Mesolithic to a wider public audience, in the region, but also beyond.The project will link this research with the expertise of York Archaeological Trust (YAT) who have extensive experience in engaging the public and whose core aim as a charity is to investigate the past for the benefit of present communities and future generations and to disseminate results in a number of innovative and dynamic ways.Aims and objectivesThe aim of the project is to identify and implement best practice for improving public understanding of the Mesolithic period using Star Carr as a case study, with the following objectives:1. To critically evaluate the ways in which the Mesolithic is presented to the public2. To identify and implement effective ways of disseminating Mesolithic research to the public3. To measure the impact of activities on public valueBeneficiariesThe project will be of benefit to the academic community as a case study into how to provide public value from academic research. The project should also provide a range of public benefit through dissemination of research activities at Star Carr in a variety of ways. It is considered important to engage school children and to find ways in which the Mesolithic can be used in the curriculum. Another aspect of the project is to consider how modern technology and social networking such as facebook, twitter, apps, podcasts/vodcasts, can be used as ways to engage audiences as well as more traditional methods such as talks, workshops, leaflets and walks. The public dissemination of Mesolithic research should provide financial benefits for regional economies as well as cultural and social benefits more widely.