This Undergraduate Research Internship (formerly UROPs) involved cataloguing and photographing key assemblages from iconic prehistoric sites across Europe, held within the BM_ARC collection. This work ensured that the BM’s Digital Asset Management system (ODIN) and Collection Management System (MI+) was fully updated and enhanced, at the same time maximising opportunities for further research.
The project ensured that vital cataloguing work was completed, whilst at the same time allowing our students to gain valuable museums and collections management experience. The finds that were the focus of study represent an excellent collection of material for finds handling, and it is anticipated that students on relevant modules will visit the BM_ARC to see it as part of their study.
This placement represented a fantastic opportunity for two of our students to gain museum and collections management experience in a world-leading context, guided by a team of expert curators. It also led, in one case, to a third year dissertation focused on some of the material.
Skills gained include
Research skills in a museum setting: an appreciation of documentation history when selecting parts of museum assemblages for study.
Research environment in a National Museum: An understanding of how research works across a national Museum.
Accuracy and database hygiene for analysis of large archaeological assemblages.
Supervisory skills: team working and leading on specific tasks in a museum setting.
This project was undertaken by Holly Rallings and Toby Newall from June to July 2024.