Excavations

Archaeological excavation is the controlled and systematic examination of a site to uncover and record buried deposits, features, and artefacts. It is a destructive but necessary process where archaeologists carefully dig, measure, and document everything they find to reconstruct past societies, rather than just collecting objects. 

• Systematic and controlled process: Unlike random digging, excavation is a slow, carefully planned, and organized process. The goal is to record the context of every find, understanding what is above, below, or next to it.

• Destructive nature: Excavation is a form of controlled destruction because it alters the site permanently. This places a heavy responsibility on archaeologists to record all information to make the most of the single opportunity to study the site.

• Recording is crucial: The primary goal is not just to find objects but to document their exact location and relationship to other finds and the surrounding layers of soil, which is known as stratigraphy.

• Wide range of tools: While shovels and trowels are used, archaeologists also employ a variety of tools, including brushes, buckets, tape measures, and more specialized equipment for surveying and documentation.  If this is the first time you've dug don't worry you won't need to bring all this equipment yourself, a short list of what you'll need to bring is given below.  

• Beyond common artefacts: Excavations recover a wide range of materials, including pottery shards, stone objects, animal bones, plant remains, and human remains. This information is used to understand diet, environment, and other aspects of past life.

• Purposeful: Excavations are conducted to answer specific questions about a site's history, scope, age, and the nature of the people who lived there. We will always agree a Project Design Document with the Landowner before any excavation and provide copies to the Suffolk County Council Archaeology Services Unit and any members of the group working on the project.

• First time digger?  Don't worry we're happy to show you what to do.  The only equipment you will need (here unsuspectingly modelled by Mary one of our members) is - 

  • A bucket

  • A hand shovel

  • A 4" pointing trowel (don't worry if you don't have one - the group usually keep a few spares for new members to borrow on the day)

  • Gloves

  • Kneeler or knee pads

  • A sturdy pair of shoes or boots

Also always come dressed for the weather - coat and waterproofs, if rain is forecast or hat and sun tan lotion if its going to be a sunny day.  You will be out in the open in the middle of a field with very little or no shade/protection from the elements.  We are a hardy bunch and have even dug in the snow before.  Oh and don't forget that folding chair, drinks, snacks and your lunch!

As well as running our own digs we are very proud to have had the opportunity to assist the Rendlesham Revealed Community Archaeology Project that was run by Suffolk County Council Archaeology Service between 2020-2023.  Many of the group members joined the dig, with the more experienced acting as 'mentors' helping any new volunteers on their first dig. 

You can find out more about the project on the Suffolk Heritage Explorer website - 

https://heritage.suffolk.gov.uk/rendlesham

We hope to be involved in future Community Archaeology Projects run by the County Archaeology Service.