What is stable isotope analysis?
What are isotopes? Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have an equal number of protons and an unequal number of neutrons, giving them slightly different weights. They can …
Course: Archaeology: From Dig to Lab and Beyond
What next?
We hope that this course has provided a taster of archaeology, both during a large excavation and after, in the lab. Want to study further? Now that you’ve mastered some …
Storage capacity in museums
In this video, Rhi Smith explains why it is vital that we think about the process after an excavation. How do we ensure that the discoveries made on a dig, …
How can stable isotope analysis help identify migrants to medieval cities like William Westoby?
In Step 2.8, we learned that stable isotopes are incorporated into our bones and teeth through the food we eat and water we drink. The balance of strontium isotopes contained …
What can bones tell us about an individual?
In this video, Mary Lewis analyses the teeth and bones of a skeleton in order to identify the age and biological sex of the individual. You may also find this …
Excavating in the Vale of Pewsey
In this video, Jim Leary explains why we chose to dig within the Vale of Pewsey, which is crucial in our understanding of the nearby historic monuments at Stonehenge and …
The story so far
Both the Avebury and Stonehenge landscapes have seen considerable research over the last decade or so, substantially expanding our knowledge of these areas. They both sit within protected landscapes and …
The Marden floor
The other wonderful discovery made on site – arguably the greatest of all – was the Marden floor surface. This unique and fragile discovery provided us with a chance to …
The Skeleton
The discovery of the remains of a teenage boy from deep within the Wilsford henge ditch was undoubtedly the most celebrated discovery of our work in 2015. Human remains are …
The arrowhead
As we discussed in Step 1.5 the majority of work for any archaeological site takes place after the digging has finished; during the post-excavation stage of the project. This is …
Storing, handling, recording and transporting
The discovery of any artefacts are split into two categories; either bulk or small finds. Each category follows its own meticulous process, in order to preserve the integrity and journey …
What was life like in the Neolithic?
What is The Neolithic? The Neolithic (or ‘New Stone Age’) is a term used for the period in our past when the shift from hunting and gathering wild animals and …
Excavation techniques
As you have seen from our previous Step, we listed some of the key roles within the Field School. But what skills can you gain from working and learning on …
Archaeology: Excavation Job Roles
The Field School has over 100 people working on the site every day, who live and work together for a defined period of time. This requires a lot of planning …