Achill Archaeological Field School

Tawnaghmore, County Mayo Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland

Achill Archaeological Field School has run for over three decades and offers a wide range of archaeology courses designed to suit all interests and budgets. This year’s dig will focus on a deserted settlement of 16 houses at Tawnaghmore, a short walk from the campus in Dooagh. The excavation aims to identify the site’s timeline more precisely.

€850 – €5500

Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP)

Sedgeford, Norfolk, UK Sedgeford, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Established in 1996, SHARP is one of the largest independent archaeological projects in Britain and is firmly rooted in the local community. The 2023 season will continue excavations of a series of Anglo-Saxon malting buildings (see CA 379). New malting kilns were identified last season, and this year the project aims to investigate more.

£150 – £480

Elsyng Royal Palace

Forty Hall, Enfield Forty Hall, Enfield, United Kingdom

This summer marks the 20th season of Enfield Archaeological Society’s excavations at Henry VIII’s royal palace of Elsyng in the parkland surrounding the early 17th-century Forty Hall, Enfield. This year’s exploration of this scheduled ancient monument will focus on the inner gatehouse, which would have been one of the largest buildings in the complex.

Free

The Sherwood Forest Archaeological Training Field School

King John’s Palace Sherwood Forest, United Kingdom

This field school offers experience in many aspects of archaeological excavation and hands-on training from archaeological professionals in the heart of Sherwood Forest. The field school will explore the history and archaeology of Sherwood Forest, including the designed royal hunting landscape and Palace at its heart.

£90

Cerne Abbey

Cerne Abbas, Dorset Cerne Abbas, Dorset, United Kingdom

Founded in AD 987 by Æthelmaer the Stout, Cerne Abbey sits at the feet of the famous chalk-cut figure of a club-wielding giant that dominates the village of Cerne Abbas. Ground Penetrating Radar survey has provided the first-ever evidence for the medieval abbey, and potentially its Anglo-Saxon predecessor beneath. Excavation this summer will investigate these results, targeting buildings potentially belonging to the abbey precinct and exploring for the earlier 10th-century monastery below.

£80

Caerfai Promontory Fort

St Davids St Davids, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom

The DigVentures team is unearthing the story of Caerfai, a prehistoric coastal fort that is being eroded into the sea. Within Caerfai’s ramparts, there are important clues that can help to reveal its history including roundhouses, hearths, metalworking debris, tools, and more. Join the team to rescue what is left of Caerfai and discover its archaeological story.

£350

King’s Park

Stirling, Scotland King's Park, Stirling, United Kingdom

The King’s Park is the oldest Royal Park in Scotland, surrounding the country’s ancient capital, Stirling Castle. Current investigations are exploring a late prehistoric fort located in the park. The excavation is part of a long-term series of projects designed to explore the late prehistoric settlement patterns of the Forth Valley.

£55