Fieldwork
Location: 16 Sycamore Hall, Bainbridge, Leyburn DL8 3HF, UK
Season: September 9, 2024 to December 20, 2024
Session Dates: 2024 Dates: Week 1: 9th - 13th September, Week 2: 16th - 20th September
Application Deadline: September 15, 2024
Deadline Type: Contact for Details
Website: https://mercian-as.co.uk/bainbridgetrainingdig.html
Program Type:
Field School
RPA Certified:
No
Affiliation:
Mercian Archaeological Services CIC
Project Director:
Andy Gaunt
Project Description:
Join Mercian Archaeological Services CIC in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for this week-long training excavation, which focuses on the teaching of archaeological excavation methods.
As well as offering the very best in archaeological training and support, this training excavation is tailored towards enabling attendees to fulfil requirements of the Archaeological Skills Passport.
Archaeological Training Excavation:
This course is suitable for all levels from beginner to experienced digger.
This training course focuses on the skills of archaeological excavation. You will receive training and experience in many techniques of excavation, including many Core Skills listed in the Archaeological Skills Passport:
Handtools (Trowel etc), Handtools (Spade, Mattock etc), Site Formation Processes, Stratigraphic Excavation, Context Sheet Recording, Site Photography, Dumpy Level and Staff, Archaeological drawing, Artefact Recovery, Recording & Storage, Site Safety.
This training course focuses on excavation and recording skills but there will also be a chance to undertake a number of techniques that make up the Secondary Skills of the Archaeology Skills Passport including:
Finds Processing.
All techniques are taught and experienced throughout the week, a mixture of classroom sessions and hands on training from our Archaeological experts.
The beautiful village of Bainbridge was formerly the administrative centre of the medieval Forest of Wensleydale, and the magnificent Bolton Castle near Leyburn dominates the valley to the east. A Roman fort looms large over the village on the eastern side.
The site of the excavation is overlooked by a Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age Slight Univallate Hillfort. This fort occupies the high ground at the top of a steep slope on the southern side of the site.
We will be concentrating our excavations on the possible medieval manorial complex to the north of this fort, which has been identified from earthworks and recently discovered pottery (see below).
The area is famous not only for its beautiful landscape, but also it world famous cheese, and as the backdrop to the Television series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.
This course focuses on excavation, it is suitable for all levels from beginner to experienced digger.
For those wishing to develop their skills, for students and post-graduates seeking to fulfil the practical experience requirements of their courses… for those wishing to pursue a career in archaeology, or improve their knowledge to give them the edge at work… for those looking to acquire cross-transferable skills… for volunteer diggers wishing to raise their game, impress their friends, and increase their enjoyment of archaeology and heritage through a greater skill set and knowledge base…. through to people simply wishing to learn for the love of learning…
Everyone is welcome… no previous knowledge or experience is required…
You will receive training and experience in many techniques of excavation,
including many Core Skills listed in the Archaeological Skills Passport:
This training course focuses on excavation and recording skills but there will also be a chance to undertake a number of techniques that make up the Secondary Skills of the Archaeology Skills Passport including:
As well as the above all school attendees will receive the following:
Evening field visits:
*Please note accommodation is not provided*
Period(s) of Occupation: Medieval (+all periods)
Project Size: 1-24 participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 1 week
Minimum Age: 15
Experience Required: No Experience Required
Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodation not provided
Andy Gaunt
Staffordshire House Beechdale Road
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG8 3FH
United Kingdom
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