Discover the archaeology of the Nottingham Castle site with We Dig the Castle 2017.
Our research and training excavation uncovers new information about the castle site while offering people of all backgrounds the opportunity to receive high-quality training in archaeological techniques.
A partnership between Nottingham City Council, Trent & Peak Archaeology and Historic England, We Dig the Castle offers members of the community the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills of archaeology, excavating in the outer bailey of the medieval Nottingham Castle.
With our timetabled day of induction, skills tutorials, task-based workshops, and excavation, even absolute beginners will be excavating within an hour! Our programme of close tutor support and carefully designed hands-on workshops will allow you to quickly gain skills in areas such as excavation techniques, site recording, survey and laser scanning, post-ex, processing artefacts and managing environmental samples. A changing daily programme allows trainees attending for 2 days or more to develop and practice skills in a variety of areas, and those coming for a taster to select the days most suited to their interests.
We Dig the Castle is for people with all levels of skill, experience and existing knowledge, whether you have or are working towards a qualification in archaeology, want to try something new, or are looking for new avenues of research for your local history group.
Weekdays, 9.30am-4.30pm. Ages 14-plus (under-16s with an adult). Book the length of training and dates that suit you (we offer from 1 or 2 day taster sessions right up to 1-5 week study places). Weeks can also be divided, to work around your commitments.
We offer special reductions for ages 14-17, students, return trainees, and people who have volunteered at any time alongside Trent & Peak Archaeology on community projects (to name but a few, Ey Up Mi Duck!, Toton Unearthed, Life Goes On, the Lenton Priory Project, Dig for History!, A&E Heritage Rescue, Derby’s Big Dig, Newark’s Hidden Heritage, the Martinmas Fair and Burgage Manor Uncovered).
Other highlights:
- Book a visit to the excavation with your group (no digging required!): join a We Dig the Castle archaeologist for a private tour of the Castle site. Hear about recent excavations and discoveries, watch the dig underway, and see the finds uncovered so far. Adapted for your group’s interests, knowledge and mobility. Available between 17 July and 18 August (weekday daytimes).
- Our We Dig the Castle archaeologists can speak at your group: We offer talks on a variety of archaeological subjects related to Nottingham Castle and its site, and will bring finds from the We Dig the Castle excavations. Talks given so far include the history and archaeology of the Castle site, past excavations, and We Dig the Castle and its discoveries so far. Available weekday daytimes and evenings, and some weekends (subject to availability), year round.
- Special Saturday training day – 5 August: Our Saturday training session offers the same high-quality training as our weekday sessions, to provide an additional way for people with weekday commitments (such as work or childcare) to get involved in archaeology. Come along as a one-off, or combine it with other days at the dig (whether these are together or broken up).
- Free family day on Sunday 23 July: Our We Dig the Castle family day on Sunday 23 July allows families of all ages to get involved in digging, washing finds and sieving in this real life archaeological dig at the world-famous Nottingham Castle. Part of the Festival of Archaeology. Watch out for more information (advance booking required).
For more information about any of these activities please get in touch with Alison on 0115 8967400 or at nottinghamcastle@yorkat.co.uk
See our Facebook page at facebook.com/wedigthecastle, and our website at tparchaeology.co.uk/wedightecastle.htm, or book a training place online at https://yat.digitickets.co.uk