Already, some digs are beginning to prepare for the year 2000 and to start looking for volunteers.

These are the ones we have heard of, people who have emailed us with their hopes and dreams for the coming summer.

Here are the details, raw and unedited. If you feel you are interested, if you feel that this might be the dig for you, do contact the people concerned

But remember: email, or write offering help, send your details, but be patient if the arrangements have not yet been made, the dig is not yet finalised.

Good luck!

And if you are planning to organise a dig, and would like it to be added to this list, then just email us.

Burren Archaeology Research Expedition

82 Cowleigh Rd., Malvern. Worcs. WR14 1QN. United Kingdom.

email: burrenarch@hotmail.com

web: www.burrenarch.com

We are investigating a Neolithic landscape in the Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland. Approximately 370 acres of field systems have been mapped, several megalithic tombs discovered, and a habitation area excavated. In 2000 excavation will continue of a court tomb (c. 3500B.C.)

Excavation mid-June to end August. Two and four week sessions. Cost per two week session, £980, cost per four week session, £1510. Academic credits from California State University are available for the four week session.

Our research is funded through the contributions of volunteers and listings such as this one have been invaluable in attracting volunteers. Alix Gilmer.

Herstmonceux

I am running a site in Sussex and may shortly be looking for volunteers

The site next to Herstmonceux Castle, where I have been digging for two seasons now.
Although the castle is scheduled,the field in which we are working is not within the schedule and of course English Heritage is aware of us!
I am running the site with help from volunteers mainly from the CCE course in Practical Archaeology run by Sussex University, and also input from the local professionals and the County Archaeologist.

The castle is owned by Queens University, Kingston Ontario and is used as an international study centre.

We have closed the site for the winter but I plan to get started again after Easter. We will then be working at weekends till the summer, when the site will be worked continuously through July and August, and that's when I'd like volunteers to come for a minimum of a week or so at a time.

I am still in negotiations with the castle about accommodation for volunteers/ costs etc.

I hope this will give you some idea about us!
This project is very volunteer based, but we are very enthusiastic and work hard to do a 'professional' job!
If anyone is interested, please write, enclosing brief cv to:

Jenny Compton,
11 Brown Jack Avenue
Polegate
BN26 5HN

Billown, Isle of Man

Bournemouth University, under Professor Tim Darvill, will be continuing work on this mysterious neolithic site (Is it a henge? Is it a causewayed camp? No, its RITUAL!)

Dates are June 12th - July 16th.

Costs are £80 per week for volunteers, though there is tuition available on a validated course for £575 - full American validation offered.

For details of the site, see article in CA 150.

Aerial view of excavations. The excavation is in a quarry: the quarry is the white area to the right, and it is surrounded by an L-shaped area where the top-soil has been scraped off, and the excavations are taking place. Note the crop marks in the field beyond.

For further details of this summers dig, including application form, click on the university site.

Cressing Temple

Cressing Temple, in Essex, is, as its name suggests , a former preceptory of the Knights Templar, and is today known for its two magnificent medieval barns - see Current Archaeology 135.

For the past two years, excavations have been taking place, not on the medieval site, but on an adjacent site of a Late Iron Age/Romano-British farmstead and its associated enclosures.

Excavations, conducted by the Essex County Council, will run for 4 weeks in late July and August 2000 (precise dates to be announced). Cost £100 per week.

Click here for last years details - this years will probably be much the same.
The format of the Field Archaeology School will very much be as for previous years; a structured series of week-long courses introducing techniques of archaeological excavation. No prior experience necessary.

Further details and booking forms will be available in February/March. To receive these please contact:

Mark Atkinson, Field Archaeology School 2000, Field Archaeology Unit, Essex County Council, Bocking Place, Courtauld Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 9BG.

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Updated: 15th December 1999