2 week excavation course details

Please note: there will be discounts of 10% on course fees for former trainees, and for Friends of YAT.

The aim of the 2-week excavation course is to develop competence in the range of methods and techniques currently used on archaeological excavations in Britain. Main activities: excavation (trowelling, mattocking and sieving), site recording (written record, planning, levelling and section drawing), stratigraphic analysis (including Harris matrix), finds processing and environmental sampling. In addition to free admission to JORVIK and Barley Hall, this course includes lectures, seminars and visits.
Trainees who have already completed a 2-week excavation course at St Leonard's Hospital can also receive training in surveying, photography and building recording by arrangement.
*Typical programme:
WEEK ONE
Monday
Introduction, lecture on the St Mary's abbey precinct dig, site tour and lecture on excavation techniques a.m. Excavation (digging, sieving, site recording) p.m. The excavation team (staff and trainees) also tend to go out for refreshments in the evening.
Tuesday
Excavation or associated work all day except for 1h finds seminar. 7.30p.m. lecture/tour on the archaeology of York.
Wednesday
Excavation or associated work all day except for 1h conservation seminar.
Thursday
Excavation or associated work all day except for 1h pottery seminar.
Friday
Excavation or associated work all day. End of week food and drinks in the evening.
Saturday
Free day.
Sunday
Free day. Changeover day at the accommodation

WEEK TWO
Monday
Excavation or associated work all day.
Tuesday
Site work all day, except for 1-2h long stratigraphic analysis seminar.
Wednesday
Excavation or associated work all day.
Thursday
Site work all day, except for Conservation Laboratory tour.
Friday
Excavation or associated work all day. End of week food and drinks in the evening.


If we have an active excavation within the City it may be possible to pay a visit and see commercial archaeology in action.

Courses available: any two week period during the excavation
Cost: £370 or £495 with accommodation provided (from 19th June)

*Please note: the order of these activities may be subject to change due to weather conditions and the rotation of the training.

Click here for the booking form (Word document or pdf document)