As we mark the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week (18th-24th May 2020), we are delighted to share a new range of free resources created by our in-house Studio team; our Drawing on Heritage downloadable colouring sheets.
At Wessex Archaeology, we believe strongly in the benefits of accessing heritage for supporting wellbeing. We are also passionate about developing innovative ways of interpreting heritage for our diverse range of audiences. Our Drawing on Heritage colouring sheets fulfil both of these important aims.
Inspired by images from our extensive collection of heritage photography, these reconstructions capture the beauty and diversity of heritage. While physical access to heritage is restricted by current conditions, these beautiful images bring heritage to your fingertips and provide an opportunity for a period of mindfulness and reflection.
We hope you enjoy reading about the sites and getting to grips with the beauty and detail of heritage. All colouring sheets are available for download at the bottom of this page!
Bath Abbey Ceiling
Our first colouring sheet shows Bath Abbey's ornate ceiling; watch our talented in-house artist create it in our timelapse video, below:
Wessex Archaeology is proud to be involved with Heritage Lottery Funded Bath Abbey Footprint Project. This extensive project involves repairing the Abbey’s collapsing floor, installing a new eco-friendly heating system and providing new, improved space and facilities to the Abbey.
Since the beginning of archaeological works in spring 2018, the project has already revealed many exciting finds and fascinating developments, from rare Late Saxon carved stonework to a 13th-century tiled floor.
The Abbey’s stunning Nave ceiling was constructed in the 1860s under Sir George Gilbert Scott. Its complex fan vaulting provided irresistible inspiration for the first of our Drawing on Heritage colouring sheets.
Dorchester County Hospital Roman Mosaic
The next available download is a beautiful Roman Mosaic.
Dating to about 350AD, this mosaic was discovered at the former County Hospital site in Dorchester in Dorset by Wessex Archaeology during excavations in 2000-2001. The high degree of finish to the floor is very unusual in the region, suggesting the owner of the house was a man of substance.
On the 21st July 2001 - National Archaeology Day - five thousand people queued to see the mosaic before it was lifted for future conservation. The mosaics were carefully lifted so that they can one day be put on display.
Create your own version of this stunning mosaic by downloading the Drawing on Heritage colouring sheet below!
Late 12th-13th century Antwerp polychrome floor tiles from Hill Hall, Essex
This Antwerp polychrome floor tile dates from the late 12th-13th century and is from Hill Hall in Essex. Watch how the image was created by our in-house team below:
Wessex Archaeology managed and coordinated the English Heritage funded publication project, "Hill Hall: a singular house devised by a Tudor intellectual", in addition to producing the illustrations and providing the archaeological contributions. Written by Paul Drury and Richard Simpson, this history charts the building’s origins as an 11th-century hunting lodge to its extensive rebuilding in the 16th century, later use as a prison, gutting by fire and restoration. Find out more here.
Create your own version of the tile’s beautiful patterns by downloading the Drawing on Heritage colouring sheet below:
Saxon fitting, Springhead
The next design in our new Drawing on Heritage series of free downloadable colouring sheets is this detailed Saxon copper-alloy fitting:
This gilded fitting dates from the late 7th century and features three flat garnets. It was found during excavations the Springhead Quarter in the Ebbsfleet Valley, Kent in 2003, and conservation work by our in-house experts restored the beautiful fitting to its full glory. You can see more finds from this interesting site in our dedicated Flickr gallery.
Download the free Drawing on Heritage colouring sheet below to create your own version of the beautiful design:
Window tracery, Tintern Abbey
The next available download shows the stunning silhouette of the window tracery at Tintern Abbey:
Tintern Abbey, situated near the River Wye, was founded in 1131 by Cistercian monks. While the original building was made from timber, the ruins currently seen on site were built during the 13th century. The abbey fell into disrepair with the dissolution of the monasteries, starting in 1535.
Download the free PDF colouring sheet here:
Saxon brooch, Wiltshire
Our final download is this beautiful Saxon brooch. Watch our talented in-house creatives work on the design below:
This gilded bronze saucer brooch was found in a late 5th - 6th century grave during excavations at Market Lavington, Wiltshire. During the excavation, a total of 42 inhumation burials were found: many of the individuals were interred with a variety of personal items and weapons, all dating to the Saxon period.
The upper surface of this brooch was originally completely gilded. Create your own version using the colouring sheet below!
