Turbo Island On BBC1 Show
Homeless volunteers in city centre revamp.
A dilapidated city centre traffic island which has been plagued by tramps for over 40 years has undergone a mass archaeological dig - thanks to a group of homeless people.
The results will be shown on BBC1 Inside Out tonight (Monday, 22nd February)
The pioneering project involved dozens of homeless volunteers and was organised to highlight problems surrounding homelessness in urban areas.
It was funded by the Council of British Archaeology to engage the homeless community and hopes to shed new light on the history of homelessness.
'Turbo Island' is a huge road traffic island in the centre of Bristol and acts as a series of underpasses for pedestrians walking into the city's Broadmead shopping area.
It has long been rundown and dilapidated and has become a haunt for street drinkers since it was built in the 1960s.
But in December members of English Heritage teamed up with police officers and students from the University of Bristol to take part in the dig.
English Heritage Archaeologist and co-leader John Schofield said: ''This was archaeology at its very best - involving people who really wanted to be there, and who embraced the opportunity with great enthusiasm and good humour.
''Heritage can and should be for everyone, as this ongoing project has demonstrated.''
Turbo Island is situated between Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street in Bristol and has been frequented by homeless people and street drinkers for at least 40 years.
Locals claim the area was traditionally a place ''where pirates were hanged'', while others believe it was once used as a 'Speaker?s Corner'.
The inspiration for the dig arose after conversations between homeless people, Mr Schofield and Rachael Kiddey, a local urban archaeologist.
The three-day dig on December 8 aimed find out more about the patterns of life and dwelling places of the modern rough sleeper.
Rough sleeper Smiler, 44, who was recently re-housed after 20 years of homelessness, helped the experts on the dig.
He said: ''It was an opportunity that doesn't come round very often.
''I learnt about dating pottery, about dating beer can rings - they changed in 1980 to the push in ones which, gives you a period of time - little things like that were really useful to know.
''We are looking at being involved in another dig in the same place in the summer.''
Dr Mark Horton, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Bristol who oversaw the project, said: ''Archaeology is one of those unique sciences that allows people to participate in the process.
''I would say that this is one of the most innovative archaeological projects that's going on in Britain at the moment.''
PC Jen Appleford, who took part in the dig, said: ''The police were really keen to participate in this community heritage project.
''It allowed us to engage with the homeless, street drinkers and wider community in a fun, mud-filled day with a common goal.''
Items unearthed included an array of drug paraphernalia, rings from drinks cans and a turquoise ring.
The results of the dig will be presented in talks and lectures in spring 2010, culminating in an exhibition in Stokes Croft, Bristol.
More from Bristol's News
Listen Live
Now Playing
Cast
Guiding Star
Now Playing
Cast
Guiding Star
Comments
Add A Comment