2012 Excavation Bookings
It’s never too soon to start thinking about next year's excavations at Vindolanda! As the 2011 season comes to a close we are already preparing the way for 2012. *You can book online now by browsing the catalogue at the foot of this page*. Do not forget to read the booking instructions first!
Do Not Miss Out!
2012 Excavation Programme
The 2012 season of excavations at Vindolanda promises to be another fantastic year and a culmination of the wonderful effort over the past four years which has been witness to real and tangible advances in our knowledge of not only the site of Vindolanda but also the wider Northern Frontier of Northern Britain during this time. The Vindolanda Trust is pleased to announce that from the 2nd of April through to the 31st of August 2012 there will be 645 individual opportunities to become a member of the Vindolanda excavation team.
The 2012 season is the last seasons work under the current SMC (Scheduled Monument Consent) and it will primarily focus on the extramural excavations at the site now that archaeological fieldwork has been completed inside the north western quadrant of the 3rd and 4th century fort. Here we can expect to uncover some more remains of town houses, shops, workshops, water cisterns and well as well as roadways and all manner of other extramural structures associated with the 3rd century settlement. Where possible the excavations will also continue to explore the defensive ditches and earthworks of the earlier 2nd century forts that were discovered at the end of the 2011 season to the west of the 3rd century bath house. Those that are involved in this work can expect that the wearing of waterproof boots will be an essential requirement for taking part on the excavations as the area we are now entering is one of the wettest parts of the site.
During the months of June and July, and in conjuncture with a field school made up from students and staff from the University of Western Ontario, further work in the field to the north of the site will commence. This work will be aimed at tracking the line of the defensive ditches of the early forts that were picked up during the 2010 excavation season. Up to 10 volunteers will be selected from the main excavation group by Dr Andrew Birley & Justin Blake to join the north field expedition and work directly under the supervision of Dr Elizabeth Greene and Alexander Meyer. This number will rise to 20 per week in the final three weeks of July. It is to hoped that this work will provide a more detailed understanding of the scale of the occupation in the field to the north and that it may be used to inform where the research in this area is conducted from this point onwards.
We can't wait to get started in April 2012 and are very much looking forward to welcoming you on to the excavations if you wish to directly participate in furthering our understanding of Roman Vindolanda- a spectacular frontier fort and settlement on the edge of the Roman Empire.
2012 Booking Season and Slots
Before You Book: Important Information
All excavators must be friends of Vindolanda
To come and dig here in Hadrian’s Wall Country you must be a “Friend of Vindolanda”. Becoming a Friend of the Trust brings you closer to our work (literally if you come and dig!). Click here for more information on becoming a Friend. You can join our Friends scheme when you book if you are not a friend already.
Each person wanting to excavate must make a separate online booking
It is not possible to book online for more than one person - each person wanting to excavate must make a separate booking. If you are booking accommodation in the Hedley Centre and are planning to come along with someone that you would prefer to share accommodation with you can put this through as a request at check out. We will do our best to put you together but cannot guarantee that this will be possible.
No more than five weeks excavating per applicant
You cannot excavate with us for more than five weeks in total. It's up to you how you arrange these weeks - they don't have to be consecutive - but the main thing is that you don't exceed five weeks in any one excavation season.
Some excavation slots are available with inclusive accommodation
For 2012, it will be possible for some excavators to stay here on site with us in our new stunning Hedley Centre - click here for detailed information. If you book a slot that includes accommodation you will be booked in to stay with us from the Sunday evening until the Thursday evening, leaving after the days excavation on the Friday.
Accommodation extras for those who are staying
If you're staying a week with us you can stay over on the Friday night of that week for an optional £25, Bed and Breakfast. If you are buying 2 weeks concurrently (i.e. one after the other) then you can buy accommodation for the Friday and Saturday nights that connect the 2 weeks together for an additional £50, Bed and Breakfast.
Other accommodation nearby
Click here if you want to arrange your own accommodation and see other accommodation providers in the area. Please note that some may require you to bring your own vehicle if they are some way from Vindolanda.
Payment terms
We will be taking full payment online for your weekly dig (£40 each) and a 50% deposit for any accommodation booked in the Hedley Centre (full price £250, deposit price £125). We will collect all outstanding amounts (including any additional Fridays and/or Friday and Saturday nights purchased) 8 weeks before your visit.
Gift Aid
If you are a UK Tax payer, we would encourage you to please tick the “Gift Aid” box when checking out. Gift Aiding will not cost you any more money but will allow us to claim tax back from the government. You know what a difference that can make!
Other extras
All excavators receive a free Vindolanda t-shirt. You can also purchase extra t-shirts, fleeces and thermal mugs online when you book if required. Items will be supplied when you arrive for the excavation.
Cancellations
We understand that things sometimes crop up unexpectedly so when that does occur we have clear cancellation policies to both our excavation weeks and to staying over in our accommodation. Click here to view cancellation terms.
Preparing for Excavations
Once your have made your online purchase you will receive confirmation of your booking as well as links to preparatory information. You can access this information here now if you want to undertake some research before you book.
Other Terms and Conditions
Excavators must be physically fit to participate and agree to comply to our code of conduct. Click here to view full terms and conditions including our health and safety policy.
Sign Up to Receive Notice of Places Available After Cancellations
Due to demand for places, people can sign up to receive notice of cancellations should additional places become available prior to the season. Click here if you would like to receive updates about cancellations.
Book Online Now
Before you book we recommend:
- * You've decided what weeks you want to spend with us - subject to availability
- * You've decided if you want to book the on site Hedley Centre Accommodation
- * You've decided if you want to book additional Fridays and Friday/Saturday week extensions if you're staying in the Hedley Centre on site accommodation
