Field School Activities

The sixteenth season of work on Insula IX at the Roman town of Silchester will take place between 2 July and 12 August 2012.

The Sichester excavation was a nominee for the Research Project of the Year category of the prestigious Current Archaeology Awards 2012.

The 2012 Field School is now full. If you would like to be added to a waiting list for 2013 please email a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Training

The initial week's training programme introduces each group of participants to the basic techniques of excavation as well as the recording system used on site and finds processing. This training is followed up by an individual programme of activities intended to give everyone direct experience of all the activities. Recognising, cleaning, recording and excavating archaeological contexts are complemented by sessions working on finds, helping with environmental processing and explaining the aims and discoveries of the project to visitors. As well as technical expertise, these activities help encourage observation and understanding, teamwork and the ability to communicate.

Excavation

During their time on the training excavation, every participant will, of course, learn how to dig! Each person is assigned to a particular area of the site and a supervisor with whom they will work throughout their stay. The supervisor will ensure that each person is trained in the processes of excavation.

Different context types may require excavation by different means, not always with a trowel; a small post-hole might require the fill being removed with a teaspoon, whereas a larger spread might warrant removal with a mattock, shovel and wheelbarrow.

Planning and Section Drawing

Participants will be taught how to draw the features they excavate - both in plan and in section (profile). Planning is usually carried out with the use of a 1 metre planning frame and at a scale of 1:20.

Participants will learn elementary on-site surveying. This is an essential aspect of planning and involves working in pairs to add spot heights to plans.

Environmental

Depending on the quantity of environmental data produced, time will be spent on environmental processing. Samples of soil are passed through water to locate small items such as seeds, charred grain, fruit pips and nut shells which can then be used to piece together information about past environments and diets.

Find Processing

All participants will have a chance to work with artefacts recovered during the excavation. This work will involve washing them and marking them with their find and context number. It is a chance to handle a range of objects which have been found during the excavation of the Roman town and not just the limited area in which you dig.

Tour

Each week Professor Fulford, the Project Director, gives the team a guided tour around the site. As participants are assigned to a specific area for their time on the excavation, this tour gives everyone the opportunity to see what has been happening on the rest of the site.

Site Maintenance and Communal Duties

All Field School participants are expected to participate in maintenance duties such as making the tea for tea breaks, doing the washing up and keeping the site clean (including the portaloos!)

Most participants choose to camp for the duration of their stay. The campsite is located within the Roman town walls and is next to the excavation. Participants must bring their own tent and camping necessities such as sleeping bag, torch etc.

Visitors Open Day on site.

The Silchester excavation holds two Open Days each season. Although the public may visit the excavation any day of the week except Fridays, these Open Days provide special events for visitors. In the past these have included 'sand pit' excavations for the children, site tours by the excavation Directors and demonstrations of activities such as Roman blacksmithing. For further details about the Open Days, including dates, see our visitor information.

Participants in the excavation will also show members of the public around the site during the working week.