Archaeology Dig at Long Meg and Her Daughters

Free
Lifting delicate remains

Try archaeology and learn to dig while unearthing the ancient story of Long Meg and Her Daughters – an incredible Neolithic stone cirlce within the Eden Valley and Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme area of the North Pennines AONB.

When: Sat 22 October – Sun 30 October 2022 (excluding Wed 26 October) 9am-4pm daily

Where: Long Meg and Her Daughters stone circle, near Hunsonby
Group size: 10
Experience level: No previous experience necessary!
Who join the dig: Anyone can join, but some places are reserved for people who live, work, study, or volunteer within 30 miles of the North Pennines AONB
Lead by: North Pennines AONB Partnership and DigVentures, as part of the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme’s Uncovering the Past project
Cost: Free (this dig is being funded by North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Fellfoot Forward landscape partnership scheme, funded through Cumbria County Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund)
Food, travel and accommodation: Accommodation and food not included but we may be able to support travel costs through our Community Travel Grant scheme

Please note: We may ask for proof that you live within the stated area before the dig begins. If in doubt about whether you can join the dig, please email us before booking.

If you are under 18:
Teen ‘DigClub’ sessions are available for young people aged 12-17 who live or study within the Carlisle or Eden Districts. Please book your spot here.

Our dig site

Bordered on the east by the high shelf of the North Pennines and on the west by the mountainous Lake District, this part of Cumbria is not only beautiful, but absolutely full of fascinating prehistoric archaeological sites.

Since the last glaciers retreated, the Eden Valley has been an important routeway for people moving through the landscape as they followed the path of the river, tracked animals, and eventually, settled and planted crops. The amazing stone circle at Long Meg likely starting being constructed around 5000 years ago in the Neolithic period, and has stood proud in the landscape ever since. It is one of around 1300 stone circles across Britain and Ireland and research is increasingly showing that the Neolithic was a vibrant period of time where people and their technologies for building these huge monuments travelled across the country and beyond.

Why did huge numbers of people come together to build this monument and how did they use it? Long Meg is a fascinating puzzle and archaeology can help answer some of these questions. As part of the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme’s Uncovering the Past project, DigVentures is helping local communities grapple with these questions and explore the archaeology on their doorsteps. In this community excavation we’re incredibly fortunate to have this rare opportunity to investigate a site of such significance and importance.

What we'll do

Excavating a wooden structure

DigVentures has been called in to help answer some very important questions about this nationally important prehistoric monument. If you want to try archaeology, and experience what it’s like to unearth the past first-hand, this is your chance.

During this dig, you’ll help us unearth new clues about prehistoric life in the Eden Valley. To do it, we’ll teach you all the basic skills that a field archaeologist uses on a dig, including how to excavate, recognise new archaeological layers, identify finds, and record your discoveries like a pro.

If you join us for longer, you’ll have opportunities to accrue other archaeological skills too, like more advanced excavation techniques, archaeological photography, and more.

You’ll help us to recover evidence that can help us build up a chronology of the site, including the identification of different stratigraphic layers, dateable artefacts or other dateable material, and figuring out how different parts of the site fit together chronologically.

We’ll work together to unearth our site, and our friendly team of professional archaeologists will be there to guide your search for evidence every step of the way.

By the end, you’ll be heading home with a whole new range of archaeological skills and experiences. And undoubtedly you’ll have contributed to our knowledge of this fascinating and nationally-important heritage site.

Location


Our meeting point is the new car park adjacent to the Long Meg site. From there, access to the site is a short walk down the road.

Additional information

Who can join this dig?

Anyone aged 18+ can join this dig, and you don’t need any previous archaeological experience!

However, some places are reserved for people who live, work, volunteer, or study within 30 miles of Long Meg or the North Pennines AONB.

If you are aged between 12-17 you can join one of our DigClub sessions – more info and how to book here.

Can I join a waiting list if the dig is full?

Yes! We recommend joining our email list to get alerts when places become free, or when we announce new digs for you to join. You can do that here: https://digventures.com/get-involved

Meeting point

Our meeting point will be at the new car park which has been built next to the Long Meg site. We’ll share the precise location with everyone who is registered closer to the time.

Start and finish times

Each day begins at 09:00 and finishes at 16:00.

It’s really important that you plan your journey to arrive at our Meeting Point in good time, especially on your first day. We begin each day with an Archaeological Briefing, and you can only enter the excavation area once you have completed it.

On site access and facilities

Archaeology is fun, but it’s outdoors fun, and this site is particularly ‘rustic’.

Our meeting point is the new car park adjacent to the Long Meg site. From there, access to the excavation site is a short walk down the road.

We will have toilets (portaloos), and shelter (our famous Dig Tent), but little else – you will need to be prepared for an all-day outdoor adventure.

You are welcome to reach out to us at bookings@digventures.com before booking if you have any specific access concerns or requirements – we will always do our best to get you onto site.

What to bring

We’ll provide all of the archaeological tools and training that you’ll need. All you need to bring is a pinch of curiosity and:

  • Packed lunch and snacks
  • Plenty of water or juice
  • Flask of hot drink to warm you up at break time
  • Sturdy, waterpoof boots, such as hiking boots, wellies, construction boots, or Timberland/Dr Marten’s-style boots (trainers and sandals will not be allowed)
  • A pair of light builders or gardening gloves (preferably seamless)
  • Weather-appropriate clothing:
    • If it’s wet, cold, or windy, this includes: waterproofs, jumpers/fleeces, warm hat, warm gloves
    • If it’s hot or sunny this includes: suncream, sunhat
  • Bug spray/midge repellent
  • Camping chair or picnic blanket for a bit of extra comfort at break times

Remember, archaeology is fun, but it is outdoor fun, so be prepared for the weather!

You can view our full kit list and latest COVID-19 requirements on our Safe Dig page.

Food, travel and accommodation

Food, travel, and accommodation are not included. You will need to:

  • Bring your own packed lunch, snacks, and drinks each day
  • Arrange your own travel to our meeting point
  • Book your own accommodation if you are a student or Subscriber who doesn’t live locally

There are enough AirBnBs, B&Bs, campsites, hotels and hostels in the area for you to find an option that suits your budget.

Fellfoot Forward do have a Community Travel Grant Scheme if you would like to take part but would struggle to get to site (i.e. you don’t have access to a car). Please get in contact at jodie@digventures.com for more information and we’ll do our best to help you.

Safe dig policies

In relation to COVID-19, we believe it’s important to do everything we can to keep our staff, our Venturers, and the communities we work in, safe and healthy.

You can read more about our Safe Dig policies during a regional or national lockdown. In short, we will follow sector-specific best practice and government guidelines that are in place at the time of the dig.