A fascinating new exhibition at the University of Nottingham Museum is bringing the prehistoric story of the Trent Valley to life, showcasing the remarkable archaeological discoveries that are transforming our understanding of one of Britain's most significant river landscapes.
Drawing on years of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental research, the exhibition Prehistoric Lives in the Trent Valley – which opens on Friday 24 July 2026 – explores how prehistoric communities settled, lived and adapted within the ever-changing Trent Valley.
Through a rich collection of artefacts and environmental evidence, visitors are invited to discover how the river shaped human activity over thousands of years – and how those communities, in turn, left lasting traces on the landscape.
The exhibition, curated by Dr David Knight, Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Classics and Archaeology and Head of Research at York Archaeology, and York Archaeology's Head of Geoarchaeology Dr Kristina Krawiec and Senior Researcher Dr Steve Malone, highlights the importance of studying archaeological finds alongside the natural environment.
The research team's combined expertise brings together decades of investigation into one of Britain's most important river systems, offering visitors an engaging and accessible insight into the deep history of the Trent Valley.
This exhibition provides an ideal opportunity to highlight a range of fascinating archaeological finds that have not previously been displayed. We hope that visitors will gain as a result a much deeper insight into the rich palaeoenvironmental and archaeological heritage of the Trent Valley.
By combining evidence from artefacts, sediments, pollen, animal remains and other environmental records, the experts are uncovering new insights into the daily lives of the valley's earliest inhabitants, the landscapes they occupied and the ways in which these fragile remains have survived through time.
As well as celebrating the latest research, the exhibition demonstrates the value of protecting this unique archaeological resource, helping to ensure that the stories preserved beneath the Trent Valley continue to inform future generations.
I am delighted that we can display this wonderful exhibition providing an insight into the Trent Valley and its inhabitants over this long period of time. We also look forward to welcoming visitors to our Festival of Archaeology event where they can find out more about prehistory.
As part of the exhibition opening weekend on Saturday 25 July, the Museum, along with York Archaeology, will be hosting a free event, from 12 noon to 3:30pm, linking up to the national Festival of Archaeology. Visitors will be able to handle archaeological artefacts, try artefact photogrammetry and digital modelling, and handle 3D-printed scale models of the objects in the exhibition.
Prehistoric Lives in the Trent Valley, will be on display at the University of Nottingham Museum at Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham, from Friday 24 July to Sunday 10 January 2027. Admission is free. Museum opening times are Thursday to Sunday, 12 noon to 4pm.
