My trowel scrapes across something smooth. Excitedly, and very carefully, I continue to clear the dirt from the top and sides. It’s a bone! I’m stoked and when the professionals deliberate, they decide that it’s probably from a pig. While I painstakingly dig out the food scrap, another volunteer beside me finds a piece of medieval glass – one so old that it is delaminating into layers so that it looks almost like the mineral mica. It is finally some evidence that this truly was part of an 800-year-old abbey.

I’m at the Strata Florida Archaeology Field School in Wales for a week of camping out, learning about medieval Welsh Christianity, enjoying the delicious catered meals, and, of course, spending my days digging in a trench. During the day we bus to the site and work in shifts, with ample breaks for snacks, water, lunch, teatime and to take some tours of the site. The team is made of a variety of folks, from older adults with an interest in history to younger students who will use the experience toward their professional training.

We tend to walk back to camp at the end of the workday in the pretty summer sun through fields of sheep, and after a shower, a few of us wander down the road to the pub. In the evening, I tuck into my tent and the sheep’s bleating lull me sleep. It’s work, but it’s fun.

You can also plan a unique holiday at an archaeology dig while in the U.K., but don’t expect catered food at most sites. Digs can be single-day experience events, week-long camping adventures or full-month courses. Archaeological work is a rewarding hands-on activity that gives you the chance to learn about history, contribute to real research and spend time outdoors.

  Participation in heritage activities like archaeology have been shown to contribute positively to mental health, especially for military members. In fact, the Breaking Ground Heritage Organization researches and organizes archaeological participation as a support mechanism for military veterans dealing with traumatic experiences or physical injuries. This includes at digs like the one I attended at Strata Florida, where interested people of all abilities are welcome.

Whether archaeology interests you as an outdoor activity, a step toward wellbeing or a way to learn about the past, going on an excavation can be really fun. Most archaeological experiences include the supplies needed to help with a real excavation and instructions about what to do. Sure, you’ll be on the ground digging with a trowel, but there is so much more. Excavation archaeologists train volunteers in many different tasks. There are jobs using specialized measuring equipment or drawing detailed plans of the trenches outside at the dig site and jobs indoors sorting or clean artefacts.

For multi-day experiences, expect to camp out and enjoy the camaraderie of the experience. On some digs, like at Strata Florida, food is included with a simple, catered breakfast and dinner plus a packed lunch brought out to the dig site.

Here are some resources for finding digs across the U.K. that enlist untrained participants. Most digs occur in the summer with signups beginning around the new year.

• At Strata Florida Archaeology Field School you will be helping to uncover a medieval monastery complex in Wales. This school is known for being the most inclusive dig in the U.K. and welcomes people with differing abilities. Plus, the food is amazing! They offer single “Digger Days” and one to four-week courses. 

• DigVentures is a large archaeological organization that offers adult and family DigCamps and teen DigClubs all over England, and online, from spring to fall.

• The Vindolanda excavation near Hadrian’s wall is uncovering the Roman history of the area. They have various one and two-week participation options throughout the year.

• Mercian Archaeological Services has single day or weeklong adventures in the spring, and longer courses in the summer, in and around Mercia but especially in the Sherwood Forest.

• Rampart Scotland offers dig experiences for both archaeology students and the public at both prehistoric and Roman sites in Scotland.

• York Archaeology offers weeklong training digs in the York area that are usually focused on Viking or medieval sites.

Involvement in archaeology isn’t limited to academics or professionals. Many longer field schools will also welcome untrained excavators who are interested in both learning techniques and participating in a research dig. For more options around the world check out the Archaeological Institute of America’s Fieldwork Opportunities bulletin.

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