The Tayside and Fife Archaeological Committee (TAFAC) is registered in Scotland as a charity (SC002450)

© 2009 Tayside & Fife Archaeological Committee                              Last updated 23 March 2010

EXHIBITION NEWS FROM PERTH MUSEUM

 

21 January 2010 saw the formal opening, by Scotland’s Minister of Culture Fiona Hyslop, of Perth Museum & Art Gallery’s current archaeological exhibition, Skin & Bone: Life & Death in Medieval Perth. The exhibition is part of Perth’s celebratory year, ‘Perth 800’, marking the 800th anniversary of the charter granted by King William the ‘Lion’, and confirming the town’s royal burgh status.

 

The exhibition charts the archaeology and history of the town from the 11th to the 16th century. The Life gallery of the exhibition displays a wide array of material culture under the themes: Origins, Castle & Defences, Port of Trade, Streets & Vennels, Buildings & Rigs, Master Craftsmen, Everyday Pleasures & Pains, Religion and Food & Drink. The gallery is rounded off with a look at the history of excavation in the town, including archive footage of the Perth High Street excavation 1975-77. The majority of the things on display have been recovered from excavations in the town over the past 40 years, including Perth High Street, Meal Vennel (1983) and Horsecross (2003).

 

 

There are also significant loan items on display including the Guildry or Lockit Book (courtesy of the Guildry Incorporation of Perth), the Perth Psalter and the Perth Hammermen Book (both courtesy of the National Library of Scotland), the Perth Hammermen’s offering box (courtesy of St John’s Kirk), a 14th-century copy of the 1210 charter (courtesy of Perth & Kinross Council Archive) and several religious artefacts (courtesy of National Museums Scotland). The Death gallery airs the theme of people and pets through a display of skeletal materials of several children, men—including a murder victim—and a woman, and fighting, working and pet dogs.

 

 

 

This is a rich, colourful exhibition for young and old. Both can try their hand at dressing up or playing a medieval game when they have exhausted looking at the fascinating array of objects.

 

The exhibition runs until 29 December 2010 and the Museum is open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, admission free. For information on related talks and other events visit the Museum’s web site.