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2012 Training Excavation near Frome, Somerset.

The Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society (BACAS) will run a Training Course in archaeological fieldwork at the site of the St Algar's Project Group Excavation which will be taking place at West Woodlands near Frome in Somerset. The Director of the Training Course is Robin Holley, an experienced field archaeologist. 

The five-day course is for those interested in taking part in an archaeological excavation and in learning the basic methods and techniques that apply in the field. The courses will run for 2 weeks: Monday to Friday, from August 13th-17th and August 20th-24th. It may be possible to come to the Dig for a one-day 'Taster' course. (See 'Booking' below). 

Students who need to fulfill college/university course requirements who attend the first week may be able to volunteer for the second week for a voluntary donation to the St Algar's Project Group. This is at the discretion of the St Algar's Project Group Director.

Location of the Site

The site is 5 miles south of Frome. This is a rural location and a detailed map showing the site will be sent on booking. 

There is very limited public transport nearby, however arrangements can usually be made for collection and return to the nearest railway station or bus stop. There is off-road parking at the site. 

For those who wish to camp for the duration, the nearest caravan and camping site is the Seven Acres Camping Site, West Woodlands, Frome, Somerset BA11 5EQ. Tel: 01373 464222.

The Excavation

The St Algar's Project Group has been running the research project for 3 years and the project aims to answer specific questions regarding the Roman occupation at the site. The area has a rich history and there is evidence of long continuity of occupation, from the Iron Age through the Roman period, to the Medieval right through to the present day. 

Geophysical survey has indicated that there is an extensive Roman settlement at the site with evidence of a winged corridor Roman villa and enclosed by a ditch with occupation to the north and west. Two seasons of excavation have recovered material from across the Roman period and evidence of industrial activity. 

During the 2012 excavation the training course will be focused on the enclosure ditch where previous seasons have recovered a burial and a vast quantity of Roman material.

Course Outline

On arrival the St Algar's Project Group Director will provide an introduction to the site and the previous work undertaken by the St Algar's Project Group. During the week, the following areas of study will be covered. Firstly, Health and Safety with Site Protocol will be addressed. Safety is a paramount issue on an archaeological site. Basic daily routines will be explained and the general rules of protocol that apply to most sites will be explained and discussed. 

Secondly, basic surveying techniques will be considered. Site and trench location and levelling being the most used survey techniques, the site grid will be explained and the use of co-ordinates for locating areas and finds. Geophysical surveying techniques will be practiced. 

Thirdly, the tools of excavation, digging and trowelling will be explained and used. 

Fourthly, as excavation by its very nature is demolition, it is crucial that meticulous records are kept and various methods are employed to ensure that the site is fully recorded. These include written records, drawings and photographs. This area of study will be extended to look at the records kept for finds and sampling. 

Finally, the finds themselves will be studied. The basics of identification will be explained, what is kept and how it is conserved and also the recognition of what are usually classified as Small Finds and how they are recorded. 

Students will, if necessary, be divided into small groups for some of the activities and the weather, always the unknown factor, will decide when each part of the course is taught. The day will start at 9.30 am and finish at 4.30 pm.

Additional Information

All major equipment will be supplied, but you should bring a small trowel. A four-inch WHS trowel can be ordered with your booking and collected and paid for on arrival at the site. The cost will be £12. Also required are stout boots (either working or walking), gloves and sensible old clothing with something suitable for all weathers. To ensure full participation in geophysical surveying one outfit without ferrous metal fastenings is required. Sunscreen is a priority and you are responsible for ensuring that your tetanus immunisation, which requires a booster every ten years, is up to date. 

Students who continue as volunteers for a further week on the main St Algar's Project Group excavation must have safety boots.

Mid-morning tea/coffee/cold drinks and biscuits are provided, but students should bring their own lunch.

Booking

The cost of the five day course is £150 + membership of Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society (£25 family, £15 single, £10 students and concessions). This must be paid in full at the time of booking. Membership of BACAS for the remainder of 2012 will include a copy of the Society's annual journal Camertonia, which contains articles relating to BACAS' wide range of archaeological fieldwork along with details of events and lectures. For existing members of BACAS the charge for the training course is £150. 

It may be possible, to come on the Dig for a one-day 'Taster Day' course, to take part in whatever activities are running that day. The charge for this is £30 (membership not required). The availability of Taster Days is dependent on the numbers of students booked on each 5 day course and the volume of requests to attend for a day. 

Please complete the appropriate booking form (week or day) and send along with the full payment, with a cheque made payable to BACAS to Ann Martin at the address below.

Training Week Form

Taster Day Form

For more information contact:

Ann Martin 
25 Cautletts Close 
Midsomer Norton 
BA3 2PU 

Tel: 01761 402682

Email: Ann Martin