Need a last-minute gift for the archaeology lover in your life? We’ve got you covered!
From artefact-inspired trinkets we’ve quietly bookmarked for ourselves (shh) to merch supporting the coolest community archaeology team around (that helps fund real digs in the process) there’s a present for everyone who loves the past this holiday season.
We can’t guarantee you won’t treat yourself along the way…
1. The writer
Credit: English Heritage
Pewter Feather Quill And Stand (£40) | Give your favourite wordsmith a taste of medieval drama…This gloriously dramatic quill and pewter stand lets them scribble shopping lists, diary entries or epic verse with flair. Even a to-do list has never felt so poetic!
2. The history bookworm
Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History (£12.99 / $31.99) | Eagle-eyed Venturers will recognise this brilliant new book by Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid, who joined us for Archaeology Book Club back in November. Dive into the world of ancient Mesopotamia, and uncover its human stories through the fascinating lens of cuneiform tablets.
3. The graphic t-shirt enthusiast
DigVentures Archaeology Slogan T-Shirt Lucky Dip (£18) | A gift that supports great archaeology and makes it possible to do it in style. Our iconic slogan tees broadcast a love of archaeology while helping make real digs happen! Choose the size, and let the slogan be a surprise. DigVentures’ last shipping date for 2025 is 17 December.
4. The festive history fan
Credit: Historic Royal Palaces
Henry VIII and Six Wives Hanging Christmas Decorations Set (£70) | For Christmas tree decorations with a difference, this plush Tudor set features six powerful, ambitious women united by their marriages to Henry VIII: Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr.
And if you choose not to hang Henry on your tree…we don’t blame you.
5. The Lindisfarne lover
DigVentures Archaeology Badges (£3+) | Perfect for the loved one who just can’t let Lindisfarne go (we know, we know). Our exclusive embroidered badge celebrates a decade of DigVentures’ discoveries on Holy Island. And why not bundle it with our cheeky Life’s A Ditch badge to show off your contribution to uncovering the past? DigVentures’ last shipping date for 2025 is 17 December.
6. The unconventional gamer
Credit: The British Museum
Roman Turricula Dice Roller (£90) | For classic gamers or history lovers who already own every board game under the sun, this luxurious ancient Roman-inspired turricula dice tower is the perfect curveball.
Based on ancient originals designed to prevent cheating with rigged dice, it sends your roll tumbling through hidden twists before ejecting it at the base – meaning no more fights around the kitchen table on game night. Archaeology meets board game chaos, in the best possible way!
7. The medieval strategist
Credit: National Museums Scotland
Lewis Chess Set (£116) | This twist on the classic game of chess is a full set of replica Lewis Chessmen, cast from laser scans of the original 12th-century pieces discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis. A gift with serious gravitas!
8. The fashionista
DigVentures x Tatty Devine Archaeology Necklaces (£25+) | Whether they love Bronze Age torcs, prehistoric flints or Anglo-Saxon helmets, this quirky collection created with Tatty Devine offers a memorable archaeological charm for every taste. Perfect for fashion-forward fans of history and heritage.
9. The trowel trendsetter
Credit: TephraArts on Etsy
Gold Trowel Earrings (£9) | Wear your love of archaeology loud and proud with the most crucial tool of the trade. Perfect for any stylish Venturer who wants to make a statement…or just show everyone that digging isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.
10. The strategic storyteller
Credit: Stout Stoat
Carved In Stone: A Storyteller’s Guide to the Picts (£50) | This beautifully illustrated and comprehensive book is perfect for anyone intrigued by Scotland’s early medieval past, and especially for tabletop roleplaying fans looking for inspiration.
Explore the world of the Picts in the late 7th century, with over 350 historically informed illustrations, showing everything from their language and beliefs, to the food they ate and the weather they braved.
11. The family in need of an adventure
Credit: DigVentures
DigVentures Family Subscription (£5 per month or £55 per year) | Archaeology isn’t just for adults! Spend next summer rolling up your sleeves and digging into real DigVentures excavations as a family. Learn new skills, uncover finds, share unforgettable moments in the trenches, and enjoy member perks for DigCamp and DigClub.
12. The ancient architect
Credit: LEGO
Great Pyramid of Giza (£119.99) | Travel back in time to Ancient Egypt with this impressive LEGO model of the Great Pyramid of Giza. At 1,476 pieces, it offers a glimpse into the skill, planning and sheer imagination behind this ancient wonder.
Recreate the main tunnels and chambers, lift off the outer shell to reveal the internal system believed to have moved huge stones, and even add LEGO versions of the ancient feluccas that sailed the Nile.
13. The mood maker
Credit: The British Museum
Roman Oil Lamp Replica (£19.99) | For lovers of ancient history, classical art or simply haters of The Big Light, this Roman-inspired oil lamp replica brings a warm, atmospheric glow with a touch of the past.
14. The fan of immersion
Archaeology Dig Experience Gift Certificates (£190+) | Know someone who dreams of digging up the past? Give them a chance to join a real DigVentures excavation in 2026! Whether it’s a day, two days, a week or even two, they’ll join a fully immersive, hands-on dig with training from top archaeologists.
From uncovering a Roman farmstead to investigating a Neolithic monument, there’s plenty to dig into in 2026. Nothing beats uncovering real archaeology alongside fellow history nerds who love it just as much as you do!