Roman Britain Dig at Hadrian’s Wall

Location: Carlisle, England

Season: April 27, 2026 to May 9, 2026

Session Dates: April 26-May 2 or May 3-May 9, 2026

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.ancientodysseys.com/archaeologydigenglandhadrian

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Project Director:
Frank Giecco

Project Description:

Hadrian’s Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site that marches 73 miles across northern Britain from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway and right through the city of Carlisle. Hadrian’s Wall was built by the Roman army on the orders of the emperor Hadrian following his visit to Britain in AD 122. It was the northwest frontier of the Roman empire for nearly 300 years.

Choose from one of two weeks to join the Roman Carlisle Archaeology dig, taking place at a site that was once an extremely important and well-defended location within the frontier system of Roman Britain and the most northern city in the Roman empire. It lies on the north bank of the river Eden close to a bridge that connected two Roman forts. The fort on the south side of the river, Luguvalium, was established under the Flavians. It was the most heavily defended location on Hadrian’s wall. On the north side of the river was Stanwix Fort which became the largest fort on Hadrian’s Wall, housing 1000 cavalry called the Ala Petriana.

In 2017, an astonishing archaeological discovery was made in Carlisle—the remains of a formerly unknown high-ranking imperial Roman bathhouse, and the largest building on Hadrian’s Wall. There is evidence that the site has direct imperial connections to Septimius Severus who was in residence here in the 210s AD. Could it be that Emperor Septimius Severus and his wife Julia Domna stayed here while in Carlisle?

5-day excavation at the Roman building  site at Carlisle—a site that is buzzing hive of activity during excavation season. You’ll be joining a large collection of local volunteers who are passionate about this astounding archaeological site and how rewarding it is to excavate, clean and catalog finds.

In the past two years, the finds continue to amaze. The site has yielded one of the largest collections of painted wall plaster and imperial tile stones in all of England. High status artifacts, statues and funerary items have also been unearthed. This year, you’ll work on an area south of the Roman Road. There are many unanswered questions and you will be instrumental in helping gather more information to understand how long was this area was in use and how it fit in with the timber buildings recorded earlier. You’ll also be tasked with helping to understand more about the complex series of floor surfaces at the northeastern corner of the site. ​

You will be hands-on for the entire  five days of this excavation and will be encouraged to try as many different archaeological tasks as you like, including:

• Excavation
• Finds processing
• Washing
• Conservation

Period(s) of Occupation: Roman Period

Notes:
Cost for double occupancy is £1565 Single occupancy is £2065 Limited to 10 people only. Includes -All accommodations and most meals -Guided tour and visit of Hadrian's Wall, a nearby Roman Fort and Steel Rigg by project team. -Visit to Tullie Art Gallery/Roman Frontier Gallery Museum. which is featuring an exhibition about the artifacts and history of the archaeological site in Carlisle -Behind-the-scenes tour of Wardell Armstrong Offices and archaeological store to view discoveries from past phases including Intaglios, Carlisle Heads, and other objects.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full week

Minimum Age: 16

Experience Required: No experience required

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodations at a hotel in walking distance of the excavation site is included for 7 nights. Breakfasts and packed lunch are included each day.

Academic Credit:
None