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‘Prehistory in the Garioch’ at Monymusk Hall

New

21 September 2024 (14:00 - 16:30)

Aberdeenshire

In Person

Mid-Grampian Mesolithic’s Doors Open event features an exhibition of the family friendly community archaeology group’s exploration of local evidence for early prehistory in the Mid-Don valley. There will be an exhibition about life here approximately 10,000 years ago, along with the evidence found for it. There is a hands-on Mesolithic map game and Playmobil landscape for children to build and explore. There will also be a slideshow of photographs and afternoon teas available.

Mid-Grampian Mesolithic is a group of volunteers looking for evidence of how ancient people used the landscape and moved around it. Evidence of stone tools from local sites and elsewhere in Britain and Doggerland, the now submerged area of the North Sea, provide a greater understanding of the ‘connectedness’ of what was likely quite a small population of hunter-gatherers venturing northwards as the last ice sheet retreated.

Monymusk Church will also be open for self-guided leaflet tours. Items of interest include a Class 2 Pictish Stone with a sanctuary symbol, one of only 6 in Scotland, two 7th century grave markers, a joug for punishment by the local court, and an early reformation bible. There will also be a display of historic Monymusk Estate Maps from the local area. The church's roots lie in a nearby site mentioned in the Book of Ulster as being in use from 623AD. The 1929 restoration by A. Marshall Mackenzie includes the very beautiful stained-glass window recording the early church history by Alexander Strachan, the lesser known brother of William Strachan of Aberdeen.

The neighbouring Monymusk Village Hall has a carpark and large well equipped children’s playground. Monymusk village square is a rare example of a planned estate village, with interesting and distinctive architecture. A free leaflet is available for a self-guided local walk looking at the local history around Monymusk (duration 45 minutes to 1 hour, sensible shoes required, unfortunately not wheelchair friendly).