The Excavators
The excavation team is out in all weather uncovering and recording clues to our past buried beneath fields, roads and towns. The objects they find are amongst the most vital of these clues. The excavators are the first members of the team which helps to bring them alive. more

The Finds Assistant
Finds assistants provide the critical link between the excavators and the rest of the team. Their job is to clean, label, record and pack the objects before transporting them to the store or laboratory for the next stages. more

The Conservator
Objects which have been buried for a long time are very delicate. Once they are out of the soil they can quickly decay beyond recovery. The conservator's skills help to make the objects stable while revealing detailed clues hidden in each one. more

The Researcher
Each object has much to tell about the past. Researchers try to discover what it is made from, and record its shape or form, any decoration or marks caused by use or wear. By studying, recording and describing the objects we gain an understanding of life in the past on a particular site. more

The Illustrator produces scale drawings of the objects to ensure an accurate record which can then be published. Articles, web-pages, catalogues and books all need good illustrations. Drawings and photographs help to bring the objects alive by presenting details, attempting reconstructions and showing how things worked. more

The Editor
School children, scholars, tourists and people from all walks of life are interested in things from the past. It is the editor's job to help publish the findings of the archaeological team in ways which will appeal to all these different audiences. more

The Curators are responsible for the long-term survival of the collection. The objects might be studied or examined by many scholars or visitors, and the curators ensure this is done without damage to the artefacts or risk to the individuals.
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You
Today more and more people are keen to understand the past and to discover what life was like for our ancestors. They do this through museums, the media, the internet, local societies, books and magazines. Behind the scenes is the archaeological team working to uncover clues, preserve them and to bring the past alive for future generations.