Vindolanda Excavations

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 archaeologically sites in Western Europe, and part of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site.

How To Get Involved

Participation is a minimum of one period, which consists in two consecutive weeks. Volunteers can be accepted for a maximum of two periods (4 weeks) in the season. The two periods do not have to be consecutive, but each period of two weeks should be uninterrupted so you can enjoy the best possible experience.

The excavation places go on a first come, first served basis: it is recommended that you apply as soon as it is convenient once the programme details are announced. The applications will go live on this website at the beginning of November for the following years excavations and post-excavations.

What_we_provide.pdf

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Information about the SMC

Whats involved when excavating

Latest

Lectures

The Lecture Programme for 2019 is based around the research that is currently being done at Vindolanda. All take place at Roman Vindolanda in the Hedley Centre.
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Getting here

How to find us no matter how you like to travel.
Rainbow Writing Tablets

14th - 16th & 21st-22nd April
Have a go at writing in ancient cursive script at the Roman Army Museum this Easter. A fun event for the whole family.

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Scanning Skulls

A number of specialists visit the Vindolanda Trust every year during the winter season, in order to conduct research on our artefacts. One of them is Rhys Williams, a graduate tutor and PhD candidate at Teesside University who is studying the processes of preservation in bone, and specifically the chemical and microbiological reasons for which certain bones buried in certain conditions are better preserved than other
Roman Army Museum

Lying in magnificent countryside next to a sweeping section of Hadrian's Wall and based at the site of Carvoran Roman Fort, the Roman Army Museum is an authentic and dramatic tribute to Rome’s extraordinary military legacy. Step into the life of a Roman soldier and experience life on the front line of Emperor Hadrian’s formidable British frontier.
Altars back in the landscape

Replica altars to the Roman God Jupiter Dolichenus placed back in religious shrine at Vindolanda enabling visitors to see them in their original setting for the first time in 1,800 years.
Vindolanda Archaeology Centre

We have launched an ambitious campaign to raise funds towards a much needed on site excavation and post-excavation facility at Roman Vindolanda. The Robin Birley Archaeology Centre will replace three wooden sheds which are sadly in a state of disrepair with a purpose built centre which can be used all year round. Can you help us?
Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum

Visit Roman Vindolanda today and you will find one of the North East’s most famous and not to be missed tourist attractions lying in the beautiful landscape of Hadrian's Wall Country. Formerly a key military post on the northern frontier of Britain, Vindolanda is the home of Britain's 'Top Treasure' - the Vindolanda Writing Tablets - and is one Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites, with live excavations taking place every year.
Rare Bronze Hand Discovered

A small, child sized, and eerily life-like bronze hand has been discovered during the excavation of a Severan fort ditch at Roman Vindolanda.
Work for us

Find out about any opportunities to join the award winning teams at Vindolanda and the Roman Army Musuem.
Day Planner

This is a suggested day planner for your visit to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum.
Fundraising ideas

You can help us raise money towards our campaigns by doing a sponsored walk, cycle, run or swim. Individuals or groups can support our work and set up a fundraising page on our website.