Vindolanda Excavations

COVID-19 Update for Excavation Volunteers (April 6th)

At the Vindolanda Trust, the health, wellbeing and safety of our staff, Volunteers and visitors is our number one priority.

While we’re very much aware and understand staff, volunteers and visitors being concerned about Covid-19, we want to reassure you that the developing situation is being monitored closely and we’re following all advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer, Public Health England.

There have been no actual or suspected cases of the coronavirus (Covid-19) within the Vindolanda Trust. Should this situation change, we will act quickly to protect our staff, volunteers and visitors.

Period 1,2,3 & 4 Volunteer information - 

I am very sorry to tell you that based on Government advice on social separation and for only essential travel and the elevated at risk or passing on the covid-19 virus we are taking the painful decision to suspend the Vindolanda volunteer excavations for the first four periods, covering April 6^th to the 29th of May. This will be hugely disappointing to all of you and we are devastated to have to take this action.

Because this is our decision you are entitled to a full refund on your excavation fees and accommodation at the Hedley centre if you have booked this. Alternatively, if you prefer to transfer your booking to the same time period in 2021 we will honour the booking for you.

Can you please let us know if you would like your place to be deferred to 2021 or refunded.

As a team we are following Public Health England guidelines to ensure that best cleaning practices are always delivered. Both Museums and the site at Vindolanda are currently closed due to the restrictions in place.

Rest of 2020 Excavation season

We currently plan to commence the excavation program on 1st June (Period 5), however this may change depending on guidance and recommendations which are changing quickly, we will be contacting volunteers to update you on should this impact the Trusts excavation program.

Should any Volunteers have any queries, please contact [email protected] in in the first instance.

We ask that you take these steps, which are consistent with government advice:

• Please do not come to the site if you have had a persistent, new cough or a fever (Temperature above 37.8C). Follow government advice and self-isolate for 7 days. 
• Keep your hands clean, wash regularly and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch all coughs and sneezes and then bin the tissue, then wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser which are provided throughout the museums.
• Should you think you may have encountered the virus, please follow the government advice, and self-isolate in the first instance.

We thank you for your continued support in challenging circumstances.

Andrew Birley 

Volunteering on the excavations Vindolanda

The Vindolanda Trust has been accepting volunteers on to its excavations since its foundation in 1970. From then to now, over 8000 people have benefitted from this challenging experience. There are two ways you can volunteer on the Vindolanda excavations: you can either join our excavation team, getting down and dirty in the trenches, or our post-excavation team, handling and sorting through the many materials recovered each day.

The Vindolanda Trust recognises the substantial contribution of its volunteers to our understanding of the site, and therefore Roman Britain as a whole. We are committed to the view that volunteers should continue to have the opportunity to share in the experience of working on one of the most exciting archaeological sites in Western Europe, and part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.

Joining the excavations is both an immensely rewarding and physically demanding activity. It is essential to have a good level of personal fitness and this will be tested over a two week period.