Archeoscan is offering the opportunity to excavate at various interesting archaeological sites throughout the year. We have recently surveyed a number of sites
in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. We currently have a number of sites for excavation generally from April to October each year.
Please see the Digging Dates page for those sites that are open for booking
Dig for a Day (or more)
£40.00/person/day
We will normally be on site from Sunday to Thursday each week of the dig weather permitting (check individual site details)
DIGS FOR 2025
Bookings for these digs are now open. Please email your requested days to
archeoscan@hotmail.co.uk
Guiting Power, Gloucestershire Cotswolds
A medieval manor complex
Background to the dig: Over the past few years through geophysics and excavation we have discovered the extensive remains of a medieval manor at Guting Power in
the Cotswolds. Dating from the post Norman Conquest period we have located the remains of a large manor house with associated buildings arranged in a courtyard. The walls are very
substantial and the building probably started life as a defended medieval tower and has been modified over time. The site has remained open over the Winter so we are ready to start on new
archaeology straight away.
The 2025 excavation: The focus of the 2025 excavation will be to work on the Northern range of the building to see what type of buildings sit there. We have some
substantial walls running towards this wing from our main building so they may be connected. Moreover, the archaeology is shallow here as witnessed by the evaluation trenches.
Excavation dates: The dates that we plan to be excavating on the site are (inclusive):
Sunday 29th June to Thursday 03rd July
Sunday 06th July to Thursday 10th July
Sunday 13th July to Thursday 17th July
Slimbridge, Gloucesterhire Early Roman Villa
Session 2:
Background to the dig: Over the past few years through geophysics and excavation we have
discovered an extensive Iron Age and Roman landscape at Slimbridge that could be a trading/port on the banks of the River Severn. It is now clear that a large Iron Age
settlement of the Dubonnic tribe was located here, possibly living and trading on the river before the Roman invasion. In 2024 we focussed on excavating and understanding the
chronology of a large Roman compound located on a spur of land that potentially formed part of the ancient shoreline of the River Severn. Pottery and
coinage recovered here indicate a late 1st Century AD date for initial Roman occupation. A well-appointed bath house was constructed within the compound, potentially as
a second phase of activity, although excavations have not yet located any significant domestic structures that may accompany the baths. In the mid-3rd Century AD the pottery sequence stops
and Radiocarbon dating of burnt layers suggest a destructive event and a significant change of use for the compound. A very large aisled building was constructed over the baths; possibly for
large-scale storage. The foundations of this building were raised on plinths suggesting that environmental conditions may have been wet in this marginal location.
The 2025 excavation: The focus of the 2025 excavation during the first session was to uncover the Northeast corner of this
building and to look for the domestic accommodation that accompanies the bathhouse. We managed to identify the Northeast corner of the compound and aisled barn and further explored
the large ditch to the North. Towards the end of the session we uncovered what is possible a large bloomery kiln outside of the East wall of the compound. We anticipate exploring to the South of the
trenches during this session to try and uncover the domestic accommodation that accompanies the bath house.
Those on the first session will know that we have has a 'Digging for Britain' diary camera on site. We are expecting to be visited during our second session by the
production team and presenter.
Excavation dates: The dates that we plan to be excavating on the site are (inclusive):
Sunday 03 to Thursday 07 Aug
Sunday 10 to Thursday 14 Aug
Sunday 17 to Tuesday 19 Aug
Sunday 24 to Thursday 28 Aug
Sunday 31 Aug to Tuesday 02 Sep
Thursday 04 Sep
To be placed on the mailing list email us.
We notify the mailing list of dig opportunities before they are relased on the website so contact us to hear
of the digs at the earliest opportunity
There may be some short notice opportunities that will be notified to the mailing list
first
Digs are very popular and places sell very quickly
Please contact us on archeoscan@hotmail.co.uk or digenquiries@archeoscan.com.
Provisional bookings for digs will be confirmed by email along with a Participant's Charter detailing where the dig is and what to expect on the day.
Places will be confirmed on the dig on receipt of advance payment.
Excavations are subject to the vagaries of the weather and agricultural regimes. We will attempt to give plenty of notice in the event of any variation to the planned digging dates. In
the event of poor weather refunds will be made in accordance with the cancellation policy that will be sent with your booking.
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