Community excavation

In 2007, archaeologists from the University of Exeter were undertaking geophysical survey near St Andrew's Church, Calstock when, to their suprise, they revealed the plan of a previously unknown Roman fort. In 2008 the University of Exeter conducted its first excavation at the site of Calstock Roman fort and there were subsequent excavations in 2009-2011. Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Understanding Landscapes project provides the resources to run three month-long Community Excavations in 2019-21.

The next Community Excavation will take place between Monday 13th July and Friday 7th August 2020, and we now welcome applications for volunteer places.

For those who do not wish to volunteer but would like to visit the site, their will be a public Open Day on Saturday 1st August 2020, between 10:30am and 3:30pm.

 

Who can take part?

There are volunteer training placements available during each week of the excavation, which will provide an experience of excavation, drawing, photography and record making.

In addition, we are seeking a small number of volunteers to undertake the careful washing of finds and processing of environmental samples, on site, during the excavation.

We require all volunteers to commit to the five-day working week.

We hope to be able to offer each applicant at least one week-long placement. If there are spaces avaliable after all applicants have been allocated a week, then it may be possible to offer additional weeks if desired. You will be asked to indicate preferences on the application form.

The minimum age for volunteers is 16.

Previous experience of working on an archaeological excavation is not necessary as all relevant training will be provided.

 

Dates

Week 1: Monday 13th - Friday 17th July

Week 2: Monday 20th - Friday 24th July

Week 3: Monday 27th - Friday 31st July

Week 4: Monday 3rd - Friday 7th August

 

Working week

Volunteers work Monday to Friday, 9:15am to 4:15pm, with a 15 minute morning break and 30 minute lunch break.

 

Conditions

There will portaloos on site, and portacabins for provide shelter. You will be working outdoors for seven hours a day, in all weathers so you must bring suitable clothing including steel toe-capped boots, waterproofs, gloves, a sun hat and sun block.

Most excavation work is physical to some degree and will require some measure of fitness.

Tea and coffee are provided, but you must bring your own food.

 

Apply

To apply please return a completed APPLICATION FORM to Chris Smart by email to c.j.smart@exeter.ac.uk by no later than Friday 27th March 2020