Archaeology Group Volunteer

After having completed an exciting National Lottery Funded Project to restore Staunton’s Regency landscape, enhance community facilities for visitors and increase our volunteer offer, our volunteers have been instrumental in helping us to restore and maintain the park, to ensure it is at its best.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors and uncovering the history of the park, we have a new community archaeology group, which forms part of the wider heritage group, who support us in investigating the history of the park.

Archaeology is all about understanding the past through the physical evidence left behind. Working in the community archaeology & heritage group, you will spend time with experienced archaeologists and other volunteers to identify and excavate archaeological sites across the park. 

You do not need to have experience in archaeology, however, volunteers do need to be able to work independently, after guidance is given, therefore a certain level of initiative and independence skills will be required.

Typical tasks and duties:

• Learn what archaeology is, what types of things we find, and what they mean.
• Assist in any research/fieldwork to identify the possible location of identified archaeological sites.
• Under supervision carry out hand excavation to explore what lies beneath the ground.
• Assist in the recording of any archaeology discovered, with supervision.
• Work in accordance with Park Health and Safety requirements.
• Undertake assigned finds processing tasks under supervision.

Skills

Skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Hardworking, with a positive flexible attitude to learning.
• A Team player with an ability to get on with others.
• Able to cope with some physical demands, such as lifting objects and using tools, for example a trowel, pickaxe, shovel, and wheelbarrow.
• Willing to work outdoors and in varying weathers.

What is in it for you?

• Meeting new people.
• Joining a welcoming and friendly small group of archaeology volunteers.
• Making a difference to Staunton Country Park and seeing the results of your hard work.
• Enhancing existing skills and learning new things.
• Recognition and appreciation for your contribution to the history of the park.
• Access to other volunteer activities including socials and relevant trips out.

When: Weekly sessions on a Tuesday and monthly on a Saturday or Sunday. During the winter this may move to 2 weekly or have a small break period depending on the winter weather. 

Commitment: Flexible. Opportunity to sign up for set activities based on your availability.