This will be the 16th season of work at the Silchester Town Life Project, which was shortlisted in the ‘Research Project of the Year’ category of this year’s Current Archaeology Awards. The site is particularly interesting because, unlike most other large Roman towns in Britain, it was completely abandoned during the 5th century.
Applicants of all abilities and levels of experience are welcome to help tell us the story of this fascinating Roman town, from its origins in the Iron Age to its abandonment.
The cost includes all food and campsite facilities as well as expert tuition and guidance from our team of archaeologists and specialists. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, so early application is advised to avoid disappointment. Minimum age 16.
This excavation has been nominated within the ‘Research Project of the Year’ category of the prestigious Current Archaeology Awards 2012
SILCHESTER
The project at Silchester is an extremely interesting dig with a great atmosphere. I attended the dig when I was sixteen with practically no knowledge of archaeology. Yet by the end of the two weeks that I attended, I could use both trowel and mattock and plan including, taking levels. The tuition is excellent and on-site there is always a supervisor nearby and there are always other friendly diggers to help. There is also a rota to help out with finds washing or with the on-site floatation tank. There are also talks on various subjects run throughout the week, such as animal bones, and roman metalworking.
If you camp on site you stay literally next to the excavation and meals are included in the cost. Also being a dig attended mainly by university students there are lots of social activities to fill up the evenings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Would you recommend it? Yes