The PAAEP began in 2022, tackling the monumental task of cataloguing and repacking the legacy Archaeological Archives held at Peterborough Museum. These archives, containing materials from decades of excavations, were in need of preservation and modernisation. Supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, the project achieved remarkable outcomes: improved storage, enhanced public engagement, and a surge in academic interest.
Key achievements include:
- Over 5,000 hours of volunteer contributions, fostering community involvement.
- Enhanced accessibility, with archives integrated into digital platforms.
- Renewed academic interest, from circa. 2-4 archaeology requests per year between 2016-202 to 38 requests in 2022-23 alone.
- Engaging with over 7,500 community members through events like Roman Fest and the Festival of Archaeology.
It is no understatement to say that the PAAEP would not have succeeded without the efforts of the volunteer team to which we are immensely grateful. PMAG has never had a volunteer programme this large or so well supported, the museum has been overwhelmed by the groups enthusiasm and it has changed the way the museum engages with volunteers. Through their tireless dedication and unending enthusiasm the volunteers have secured the heritage of Peterborough for the future and supported the museum to engage with more members of the public than we considered possible.