An exhibition linking art and archaeology opened at Dartmoor National Park Authority's High Moorland Centre in Princetown (Devon, England). The work on display has been produced as part of an ongoing collaboration between visual artist Varvara Shavrova, archaeologist Helen Wickstead, and the archaeological team working on Shovel Down Bronze Age site in Dartmoor National Park.
     Shovel Down lies to the east of Chagford Common and approximately two kilometres north-west of Fernworthy Reservoir. Varvara researched the processes of drawing and recording on site and led art workshops with school children, students and archaeologists on the dig. Their drawings form part of this exhibition, encapsulating the experience of achaeological excavation, layering, revealing, mapping, recording and preserving. Helen Wickstead said: "The project is both challenging and beneficial to the dig team and to the artist. Experienced archaeological illustrators for whom standard practices have become 'second nature' were learning to see and draw the landscape around them differently."
     As part of the exhibition, there is a special children's activity and a self-guided Princetown archaeology trail to follow as well as a photographic record of work carried out on the Shovel Down Dig. Shovel Down runs at the moorland visitor centre until Wednesday, July 26.

Source: Tavistock Today (1 June 2006)