The exhibition explores life 11,000 years ago, a few hundred years after the last Ice Age.
The new exciting and interactive exhibition brings together wonderful artefacts from one the most famous Mesolithic sites in the world. The exhibition uncovers the earliest example of houses in Britain, how they made fire and why the period may be better described as the bone age rather than the stone age!
Star Carr is a site of international archaeological importance, and is sometimes referred to as the ‘Stonehenge of the Mesolithic’. The incredible range of finds has deepened our understanding of how people lived and the landscape they inhabited during the Mesolithic period (Middle Stone Age). Buried beneath layers of peat, the site in North Yorkshire provides evidence of the earliest houses, a place where hunter-gatherers settled and lived by what was once a large lake in a settlement which existed at a time when Britain was still connected to Europe.
‘Star Carr: Life after the ice’ showcases these artefacts to explore how communities settled, created, cooked and worshipped and will tell us about the landscape they lived in. On display will be objects from the Yorkshire Museum Collection, including iconic antler headdresses, a unique, decorated stone pendant, the world’s oldest complete hunting bow and the earliest evidence of carpentry from Europe.
Make a Star Carr Headdress! Make your own Star Carr headdress in this artist run workshop. Discover and be inspired by these 11,000-year-old unique objects and have a go at creating your own headdress to wear.
All activities are in our Finds Lab on the first floor of the museum and included in museum admission. Participating children must be accompanied by an adult.
📆 Saturday 23 March, Saturday 30 March & Saturday 6 April, drop in anytime, 10.30 am – 3.30 pm.
Creative Family Wednesday: Star Carr Special! Artist run creative workshops inspired by our new Star Carr exhibition. Join us with all the family on Wednesdays during the school holidays.
All activities are in our Finds Lab on the first floor of the museum and included in museum admission. Participating children must be accompanied by an adult.
📆 Wednesday 27 March & Wednesday 3 April, drop in any time, no need to book.
Star Carr Storytelling. Join Hoglet’s Theatre Company for an adventure into the prehistoric world of Star Carr in this immersive story telling session suitable for all the family.
All activities are in our Finds Lab on the first floor of the museum and included in museum admission. Participating children must be accompanied by an adult.
📆 Thursday 28 March & Thursday 4th April
Make a Star Carr Pendant. Make your own Star Carr pendant in this artist run workshop. Discover and be inspired by this amazing 11,000-year-old object and have a go at creating your own pendant using air-dry clay.
All activities are in our Finds Lab on the first floor of the museum and included in museum admission. Participating children must be accompanied by an adult.
📆 Friday 29 March & Friday 5 April
“We went along to the Yorkshire Museum to check out the new exhibition – Mr Mumbler is a big fan of ancient history so was fascinated to read about the amazing discoveries at Starr Carr and share this with the girls. The kids (9 & 11) loved how many interactive elements there were there – including making different meals from the food available at the time (Hedgehog anyone?!) holding the replicas of old bows and walking sticks, designing a decorative pendant and a whole room or role play and crafts upstairs.
They loved making their own headdresses and bead necklaces.. and you can’t beat a bit of role playing around the camp fire and cooking fish on the fire! It’s a lovely way to spend an hour or so and a great addition to the already popular ‘Mary Anning’ and dinosaur exhibitions that the kids enjoyed again too”
🎟 ‘Star Carr: Life after the ice’ is open from 22 March 2024 at the Yorkshire Museum and entry is included in general admission.
To book tickets in advance please visit www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk. There is no separate charge from normal museum entry prices.
📍Museum Gardens, Museum Street, York, YO1 7FR
