WIREDGOV

Eight lucky schoolchildren spent the day unearthing archaeological remains with Channel 4’s Time Team after winning a competition run by national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey.

The winners met with presenter Tony Robinson and the rest of Time Team in Litlington, Cambridgeshire, where an exciting dig had already begun for the show’s new series. The winners were able to tour the trenches and be on hand as a Roman Villa was uncovered.

The competition was run as part of Ordnance Survey’s Free maps for 11-year-olds scheme, which offers every Year and Primary 7 pupil in the country a free OS Explorer Map. It is one of the largest educational resource initiatives of its kind, with the 5 millionth map given away last year.

To win, the children had to answer a series of questions on different map symbols before suggesting a good place for a Time Team dig as a tie-breaker.

The children were given the chance to learn how Time Team is made, including how Ordnance Survey maps are used to interpret the historic landscape. Stewart Ainsworth, Time Team’s Landscape Detective, comments: “Ordnance Survey maps are as essential a tool as a trowel for archaeologists on Time Team.  As well as providing clues to help us detect sites, they provide the map base against which all modern excavations and finds are recorded so that they are documented for posterity.” 

Experts explained how to handle, wash and categorise the delicate finds and answered questions on what it takes to become an archaeologist.

Elaine Owen, Ordnance Survey’s Corporate Responsibility Manager, says: “We’re really pleased that the winners all enjoyed their day with Time Team and were inspired by what they learnt. The free maps scheme is all about encouraging young people to take an interest in the world around them.”

Every school in the country still has the chance to order their pupils’ maps for the 2009 scheme and enter this year’s competition to win an all-expenses paid trip with the Field Studies Council in Exmoor National Park. Teachers can contact 0845 337 3133 or visit http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/freemapsfor11yearolds for more information.

To take advantage of this year’s offer, orders have to be placed by 30 November.

Head of Corporate Communications - Rob Andrews

Email: rob.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2265

Senior Communications & PR Officer - Paul Beauchamp

Email: paul.beauchamp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2568

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8030 5295