You’ll arrive in Carlisle on the afternoon of Sunday, October and stay at the Cumbria Park Hotel which is walking distance to the site. Carlisle itself has a history that spans millennia. The city was established as a settlement to serve castles along Hadrian's Wall in Britain. Due to its close proximity to Scotland, Carlisle and its Castle became an important military stronghold in the Middle Ages.

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You'll meet your dig companions tonight for a Welcome Dinner and then join the archaeologists for a drink at a local pub before heading back to the Hotel to settle in for the night. Tomorrow starts the real adventure!

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Accommodation: Cumbria Park Hotel,  Double Occupancy​

Meals: Dinner

The next morning begins your six-day excavation at the Roman building and bathhouse site at Carlisle—a site that is buzzing hive of activity during excavation season. You’ll be joining a large collection of local volunteers who are passionate about this astounding archaeological site and how rewarding it is to excavate, clean and catalog finds.

 

And there have been many finds at that dating from the Mesolithic through the Roman era. In fact, the discoveries made since 2017 at this Roman building and bathhouse are so numerous, it’s impossible to list them all. And that’s even after much of the site was robbed during the Middle Ages to build Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle Castle, and the City Walls. Among some of the more important artifacts found by archaeologists and volunteers are: 

• Two monumental carved Roman Heads, possibly representing theatre masks which formed part of the building’s pediment. Found by a volunteer on their first day excavating! Read more about this find here.

• Carved inscription to the Empress Julia Domna who was married to Septimius Severus

• Imperial stamped tiles that were commissioned for the emperor

• A solid piece of Tyrian Purple Dye which was used for dying imperial robes and clothes and for bathhouse paints. During the Roman era, the dye was literally worth more than its weight in gold, and the one found in Carlisle is the only example ever discovered in Northern Europe. Read more about this find here.

• North African style vaulting tubes for roof construction

• Hundreds of stunning glass beads, gaming pieces, hair pins and a rare Roman doll’s foot.

• 70 intaglios (carved gemstones belonging to Roman Signet Rings). This is the largest collection of intaglios from any single context in the UK. Read more about these finds here.

• 700+ Roman coins from centuries of occupation, including the oldest coin discovered in Carlisle predating the Roman Empire.

 

2024 is the first year that international volunteers are being invited to join these excavations in Carlisle. This year, work is aimed at discovering the size and extent of the building and bathhouse and the east and west walls. Work will also include an exploration of the burial ground and further sections of the Roman drains.

 

You will be hands-on for the entire six days of this excavation and will be encouraged to try as many different archaeological tasks as you like, including:

• Excavation

• Finds processing

• Washing

• Conservation

The team is happy to tailor your day’s activities with your particular areas of interest and your comfort level. All tools, padded kneelers, gloves and Hi-viz waistcoat are provided.

 

Make no mistake, archaeology can be tough! Weather, different schedules, and tricky conditions underfoot are all part of archaeology adventures, but these challenges make digging super memorable! The archaeologists leading this dig are focused on the research and also dedicated to ensuring all participants truly experience the joys of discovery. You’ll be welcomed with open arms into "The Diggers" community of Carlisle.

 

Upon completion of the program, each participant will be awarded:

• A British Archaeological Skills Passport

• Certification from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

• Uncovering Roman Carlisle logo’d fleece jacket, t-shirt and site book

During your time in Carlisle, you’ll be staying at accommodations in the Carlisle City Center, which is walking distance the the archaeological site.

 

Breakfast is served at your hotel daily and you’ll be provided with a packed lunch and snacks to take each day. The hotel is only a ten minute walk to the dig site.

 

During your time excavating from Monday through Saturday,

• You’ll be met at your hotel by a member of the dig team and take the 10 minute walk to the site for a 9am start time.

• You’ll meet with the lead archaeologists for a daily brief, site introduction and update.

• You’ll then be assigned to an area and an archaeological supervisor.The group breaks for packed lunch together, You’ll be bringing your own lunches and snacks, but onsite, you’ll find an ample supply of teas, coffees, hot and cold drinks, as well as ice-creams.

• The day onsite concludes at 4.30pm.

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You have the option of joining guided excursions, and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the city’s most historical locations, all led by archaeologists and experts including: 

 

• Visit to Hadrian's Wall site and guided tour by project team. FREE

• Behind-the-scenes tour of Wardell Armstrong Offices and archaeological store to view discoveries from past phases including Intaglios, Carlisle Heads, and other objects. FREE

• Visit to the 12th century Carlisle Cathedral FREE

• A visit to Carlisle Castle, a stone keep medieval fortress near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall. It was first built during the reign of William II in 1092 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122. The castle served as a prison for Mary, Queen of Scots in 1568. Cost: £10

• A guided visit to Carlisle’s first learning centre, Tullie £15

 

Accommodation: Cumbria Park Hotel,  Double Occupancy​

Meals: Breakfast and a packed lunch each day

Sunday night Welcome Dinner is included and there is a celebration on Oct 19th onsite at the Cricket Club.

Monday through Thursday evenings, dinner is on your own.

The weather in Northwest England is variable (it’s no wonder the West Coast is nicknamed the "Wet Coast."). Usually during this time of year, the weather is favorable, but it’s always smart to be prepared. Make sure you wear clothing that can get muddy. Please bring:

 

1. Trousers or shorts (that are long enough to bend down in)

2. Either long or short sleeved shirts

3. A jacket is ESSENTIAL

4. Layers for temperature changes

5. Waterproof trousers in case of heavy rain

6. Sturdy boots

7. A sun hat and/or a hat with a wide brim while not essential, can also really keep the rain from going down your neck.

8. Sun cream which is suited to your skin. We advise factor 30+

9. Proof of health and travel insurance are required by each participant. (The digsite only maintains public liability insurance)

 

As mentioned, you’ll be bringing in your own lunches and snacks during excavation days. There is a refrigerator onsite for special foods or medicine.

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Click here for more details on what to expect on a archaeology dig. 

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we'll bid farewell as our time excavating the remains of Roman Carlisle has come to an end.

 

Transportation to and from the airport in Glasgow can be arranged in advance for an additional fee. There is also a train that runs from Glasgow Airport to Carlisle. 

 

Meals: Breakfast ​

1.  What makes this site significant?​

In 2017, construction at Carlisle Cricket Club discovered a high-ranking Roman building with a bathhouse—the largest building ever found along Hadrian’s Wall. Subsequent investigation by archaeologists and volunteers has found many artefacts of very high significance. Building upon on the continued public interest, Uncovering Roman Carlisle has revisited the site annually since 2021 to engage volunteers in a community excavation in an urban location. Over half of those who have taken part has never done in a heritage project before.

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2.  What has been most surprising about your discoveries in Carlisle?

There have been many surprising finds, but probably the most significant is the discovery of the Tyrian Purple Dye, which during the Roman era, was literally worth more than its weight in gold. The monumental size and scale of the Roman Bathhouse itself is impressive, as its connection to the emperor Septimius Severus, Julia Domna and the imperial court.

3.  What are your current research objectives at this site in Carlisle?

Our work in Autumn of 2024 is aimed at discovering more about the size and extent of the building, more correctly considered a building with a bathhouse. Its currently estimated at 50m x 60m (164ft x 196ft), but we still haven't found the west or east walls. We will also be exploring the burial ground we discovered at the end of the last dig where a cremation urn was discovered, and further sections of the Roman drains.

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3. What was the most important or rewarding find at this site?​

There are too many to choose from! But, we found a carved dolphin head that was truly amazing. And the two monumental stone carved heads were just breathtaking.