Working with Penguin and The British Museum, The Reading Agency gave reading groups the chance to explore their local museums and tell us all about their favourite discoveries. Reading groups read A History of the World in 100 Objects and were treated to exclusive talks from curators.
We’re showcasing the best entries on Reading Groups for Everyone throughout December. Today we’re presenting a readers’ group from South Elmsall Library who were lucky enough to get a private tour around the new museum in Wakefield before it opened its doors to the public.
A Celtic Stonehead
The group were shown around the museum by curator John Whitaker who had chosen one object in particular to share. Wearing protective gloves, they were allowed to handle a Celtic stonehead, an object over 2,000 years old.
‘Looking like the size of a child’s head, its weight came a shock, 6-7 kilos. The stone looked like sandstone in colour, but was much harder. Coming from the Wakefield area it could be millstone grit or granite. The head has an inverted pear shape. Its intricate carving was beautiful.’ Marjorie Lacy, group member.
Heads were sacred to the Celts and were thought to have been a source of supernatural power, providing fertility and healing. This head in particular was discovered in 1969 in a suburban Wakefield garden where it was used as a rookery stone.
‘The visit left us with a desire to investigate further the history of the Celtic Heads and the Brigantes who were a major Celtic tribe based in northern England and particularly Yorkshire proving that objects covered in this book can hold the key to our history and indeed of the world.’ Jaki Spencer, group member.
Contributors: Roy Lacy, Marjorie Lacey and Jaki Spencer.
