Humanities Report

Humanities word of the day: Anachronistic – adjective – belonging to a time period other than when they are typically portrayed. 

This term in humanities we have seen the introduction of a new enrichment subject in Year 8 called ‘Vikings, Myths, & Legends’. This term students have developed an understanding of how people lived during the Viking age, and how archaeological evidence. This has included building longships and playing hnefatafl, a board game sometimes known as Viking Chess or The Kings Table, some students got quite competitive while playing! Board games were quite a popular pastime in Norse settlements, with many being buried with their prized tafl (table) game pieces. 

Students are currently looking at how Norse mythology has influenced popular culture and will be broadening their lens next term by examining various mythologies around the world, examining how these myths have helped numerous cultures understand and engage with the planet.  

Meanwhile, the humanities department eagerly prepares to showcase our subjects to prospective students at Explore. Behold, one of our student volunteers showcasing the plague doctor, a rather anachronistic concept frequently associated with the bubonic plague. Although we could have a bit of a discussion around whether or not a plague doctor has any real business being connected to Medieval Europe, the sick moves this plague doctor busted out shortly after this photo was certainly well out of history!