Background

York Archaeological Trust is an independent charity, founded in 1972, which investigates the past for the benefit of present communities and future generations. Linking professional skills and expertise in the practice of archaeology with broadly based background knowledge and experience, it carries out carefully targeted and cost effective archaeological recording, excavation and research for a broad range of clients and partners. The results are made available in a number of innovative ways.

The Trust is well known for its investigations of the deeply stratified and well-preserved urban archaeological deposits of historic York, some of which led to the creation of JORVIK, the world renowned Viking centre. Over 14 million visitors have been welcomed to JORVIK, DIG (formerly the Archaeological Resource Centre) and Barley Hall. Through them and other festivals, events and activities, the Trust makes a regionally important contribution to education, and provides an attraction for both residents and visiting tourists.

The Trust has an impressive portfolio of published and ongoing work on historic buildings, extensive landscapes, urban investigations, artefact assemblages and environmental studies. Its specialist services - artefact studies and curatorial skills, archaeological conservation, publication and IT - are available to clients not only locally and regionally but nationally and internationally.

Popular and more detailed books continue to bring the Trust's findings to a large audience and the Internet offers new ways of continuing this tradition. The Trust's charitable objectives are also fulfilled by supporting the work of many Community Archaeology groups in the region, and offering training and education programmes for all levels.