Archaeological Finds Intro

Post-Excavation Taster Weeks

Dates: September 9th to 13th

Bookings are currently OPEN for the post-excavation taster weeks. No previous experience is necessary just bring along an enthusiasm to learn.

PLEASE NOTE: this is subject to the BRP receiving enough bookings to make the week viable (more information on this below).

What is post-excavation?

Archaeology is not all about digging. In order to turn the data gathered through excavations or surveys (for example) into information that can be used to interpret a site and/or plan further investigations, archaeologists must process this data during the ‘post-ex’ phase.

This includes recording the artefacts recovered, processing the environmental samples taken, digitising the drawings and survey information, for example. This work generates a physical and digital archive, which connects all the pieces of information together. It takes far longer (in most cases) than the actual field work and often takes place in the lab or at the desk.

Post-Ex at the Bamburgh Research Project

Here at the BRP we have generated a lot of post-excavation work in the last 20 years. We undertake much of the initial post-ex on site, where we wash and process the small and bulk finds, we process our environmental samples and we catalogue much of the records and photographs we take. However, there is still much work that is undertaken during the off-season by our staff and more that is sent away for specialist analysis. After running a successful week last year we are bringing some of this ‘behind the scenes’ work back to the Castle and share it with a small cohort of interested individuals for two seperate weeks this year.

What is the Post-Excavation Taster Week?

We offer quality training in archaeology with an emphasis on practical hands-on experience. The post-excavation taster week will use the BRP’s extensive archive, which consists of material from the prehistoric to the medieval periods, as the basis for an introduction to the different post-excavation techniques and research methodologies employed by the project.

We are still planning the daily schedule but the week will include:

a general introduction to finds processing (bulk and small finds)
hands-on training to record, draw and photograph artefacts from the site
live demo and handling session with a medieval textile specialist
introduction to environmental sampling and processing
guided tour of Bamburgh Castle and the archaeological work to date
guided tour of the Anglo-Saxon burial ground and the new ossuary and Bamburgh Bones exhibition
live demo and handling session with a human osteology specialist (May)
live demo and handling session with a zooarcheology specialist (September)

Please Note: we may also be able to organise visits to the excavation at Yeavering and Lindisfarne in September again but these are yet to be confirmed.

Who is it for?

Our training is open to people of all skill-levels and abilities, so no need to have a background in archaeology all you need is and interest to learn. In fact we particularly wish to offer a fun and educational experience to beginners and non professionals.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about access, facilities, etc.

BRP is open to anyone aged 18 and over.

Who will be teaching me?

Professional field archaeologists and post-excavation specialists.

How much does it cost?

The post-excavation taster week costs £350 pp and covers 5 days of training in a small group of between 6-8 people. This covers the cost of the tuition and castle and burial ground tours.

How do I book a place?

Fill out the Application Form
You will then receive an email from the BRP staff to confirm availability
Pay the deposit to secure your place (see below for more information)
Any remaining balance needs to be paid by September 6th.
Joining information will be sent at the beginning of September.

Deposit

To secure your place at on the post-excavation taster week we ask for a refundable deposit of £150 at the time of booking.

There are multiple options for payments:

Paypal (Available to all students, transaction fee of 5%)
Bank Transfer
International Draft in sterling
Cheque (UK residents only)

Completing Your Payment

Bookings must be paid in full by September 6th 2024 sepending on the week booked. Failure to make advance payment in full will result in the loss of your deposit, unless there are exceptional circumstances (BRP discretion). If you are unable to make your final payment by the due date please email Graeme (see below) to discuss arrangements. There are no automatic refunds made against spaces booked but not taken once the week is fully confirmed.

All payment made will be fully refunded if the taster week is not viable due to low take-up. Participants will be informed a minimum of a week in advance. Should you be travelling and non refundable flights are involved please do contact us to discuss options.

Contact details for the project can be found on the Contact Us page.

Any questions? Email: graemeyoung@bamburghresearchproject.co.uk