Posted 12 January 2024

Anyone volunteered on an Archaeological dig?

Random question;

Last summer on holiday (Norfolk) we chanced upon an archaeological dig, there were quite a few independents that were doing their own "trench" n I quite fancy a go.

I looked into it briefly but some of them (seemed like the private sector creeping in) wanted paying for the privilege

So can anyone advise on proper ones, like universities or amateur groups where you can just help them out for a day or few?

Cheers!
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  1. psychobitchfromhell's avatar
    I'm an archaeologist by profession. A lot of these ones where you pay, that's how they partially fund the digs. It ain't cheap. Most larger towns and cities have local history and archaeology societies and they often partake in excavations in and around their area. University students usually have a fieldwork requirement as part of their degree ( I had to do six weeks per year) and most university digs are mainly made up of their own or other universities undergraduates.
    It is absolutely fascinating if you are into that sort of thing, but it can also be extremely frustrating, very slow and often extremely hard physical labour. It is also nowhere near as easy as it looks, and no-one is just going to let you loose on a site to dig your own trench unless you know what you're doing. You need a basic grasp of stratigraphy, planning, surveying and soil science to be able to do it properly (edited)
  2. DealPirate's avatar
    Yes, I have. It was hard work, but an interesting way to spend the weekend. The one I did was just organised via the local heritage office (part of the council), they just promoted it via social media looking for volunteers to help out.
    Roger_Irrelevant's avatar
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    Cheers, might try that i.e. look for interesting digs then plan holiday round it. I'd take about a square metre of extra thick sponge I reckon to kneel on.
  3. Toon_army's avatar
    If you do decide to do one and some old man with a walking stick asks you to come visit his park, say no thanks
  4. Timbonagasaki's avatar
    It might be worth looking on the local council website for the area you're thinking of visiting. Here's some info from Norfolk Council.
    norfolk.gov.uk/job…ent (edited)
  5. Pilow's avatar
    [deleted]
    Roger_Irrelevant's avatar
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    What like "digging around" and replying to 10-day old discussions on HUKD.
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