Training excavations are normally run by university departments or large contractors and employ professional
archaeologists
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...
to teach the basics of archaeological methodology, including
photography
Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employed ...
,
stratigraphy
Stratigraphy is a branch of geology concerned with the study of rock (geology), rock layers (Stratum, strata) and layering (stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary rock, sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks.
Stratigrap ...
,
illustration and draughtsmanship as well as survey and finds treatment.
The main element of a training excavation is the student or paying volunteer. Often the
excavation site is large and
rural
In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are describ ...
, and can be worked on over the summer period for several weeks, with many groups arriving over the period for training. Many sites are only excavated due to this type of practice, where development is not pressing for completion and more time can be taken in the long term investigation of the site and training of new archaeologists. The standard of training on an
excavation can be variable, with some sites run by academic archaeologists who are not up to date with current practice.
External links
In the UK there are many places to work on a training excavation, and three websites provide details:
''Current Archaeoogy''''UK Archaeology Opportunities''''British Archaeological Jobs Resource''
Methods in archaeology