Join our CIfA approved training: PAST Archaeological Field School 2020
The Professional Archaeological Skills Training (PAST) Field School has been designed by Bournemouth University’s Archaeological Research Consultancy – BUARC, to provide a unique opportunity for participants to get first-hand practical experience of being a professional archaeologist. PAST2020 is suitable for all levels from those starting out in archaeology wishing to gain to gain some practical experience to those seeking to develop and strengthen their skills to pursue a career in archaeology.
The PAST Field School has been approved by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists as delivering high quality training which meets CIfA criteria and is mapped to appropriate National Occupational Standards.
In this outstanding project you will experience the excitement of being an integral part of an archaeological investigation, working with our specialists to uncover the prehistoric past.
As a member of the team you will take part in the on-site excavation, survey and recording of a range of archaeological features, working with artefacts and environmental samples, learning about health and safety, and digitise your site drawings with AutoCAD.
Using the Archaeology Skills Passport you will receive dedicated training from our experienced team of archaeological professionals on all aspects of archaeological investigation. From day one you’ll be in the trench getting stuck in with the rest of the team.
The site
PAST2020 forms part of The Durotriges Project which is dedicated to on-going research of a nationally significance prehistoric and Roman site in Winterborne Kingston – dubbed ‘Duropolis’, after the local Iron Age tribe the Durotriges.
Previous seasons of investigation have uncovered over 150 roundhouses dating from around 100 BC, substantial storage pits, animal pens, a stone-built Roman villa, corn drying/malting ovens and a small enclosed cemetery.
To find out more: https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/research/projects/durotriges-project
What you will learn
- How to excavate archaeological features;
- How to produce accurate site drawings to an appropriate scale;
- How to produce high quality site photographs;
- How to complete archaeological site records;
- How to use archaeological survey equipment, including geophysical survey (magnetometry/fluxgate gradiometry), GPS and dumpy levels;
- How to take and process soil samples;
- How to recover and treat artefacts on site in the Finds Hut;
- Archaeology Health and Safety considerations;
- How to digitise archaeological drawings using AutoCAD;
- How to communicate your findings to the rest of the team.
Through a mix of on-site training and classroom sessions you will get hands-on training from our team of professional archaeologists.
When
1st June – 3rd July 2020
| Week 1: | 1st – 5th June 2020 |
| Week 2: | 8th – 12th June 2020 |
| Week 3: | 15th – 19th June 2020 |
| Week 4: | 22nd – 26th June 2020 |
| Week 5: | 29th – 3rd July 2020 |
Where
PAST2020 will take place at Winterborne Kingston, Bere Regis, Dorset. Basic details about where to meet, what to bring, and other information is available in the FAQs on this page.
Cost
£250 per participant per week
How to apply
There are no prerequisites to take part in the project, just an enthusiasm for archaeology and a willingness to learn, however a basic standard of physical fitness is required.
All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance, their own Archaeology Skills Passport to document their skills, and a superbly designed PAST2020 T-shirt. All participants also get a credit in the official site report and additional credits if their digitised drawings and photographs are used in the report.
To apply
For more details or to apply to be part of the PAST2020 team please email heritage@bournemouth.ac.uk to register your interest, setting out which weeks you are interested in.