Archaeology Dig in the North Pennines AONB (Carlatton Cairn)

Free
Lifting delicate remains
A woman digs a line of stones in a trench

Try archaeology and learn to dig while unearthing the ancient story of Carlatton cairn – a striking prehistoric monument within the Eden Valley and Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme area of the North Pennines AONB.

When: Sat 25 June – Mon 4 July 2022 (excluding Wed 29 June)
Where: Carlatton cairn, near Cumrew
Group size: 12
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 The National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme and the Cumbria Community Foundation)
Food, travel and accommodation: Not included

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. Contact jodie@digventures.com for more information.

Our dig site

A woman digs a line of stones in a trench

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.

As part of the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme’s Uncovering the Past project, DigVentures is helping local communities here explore the archaeology on their doorsteps. In this community excavation we’ll be investigating an over-looked monument, Carlatton cairn.

No-one really knows how old it is or what secrets it might be hiding, so join us as we try to find some answers once and for all.

If its history stretches all the way back to the Bronze Age, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for stone tools and evidence that people may have once buried their dead here.

What we'll do

Excavating a wooden structure

DigVentures has been called in to establish when Carlatton cairn was built, and whether it was used as a burial mound. 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 settlement fit together chronologically.

Will we be able to figure out when Carlatton cairn was built? Does it date back to the Bronze Age? Was it used as a burial mound? Or will an altogether different and more complex picture emerge? That’s what you’ll be using your new archaeological field skills to help us find out…

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 (fingers crossed) you might even have helped us to solve a real-life archaeological mystery…

Location

Please note this is an approximate location. We will send you the precise location and meeting point once you sign up.

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 Cumrew or the North Pennines AONB.

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 between Cumrew village and Hall’s Tenement. 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 17:00.

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 between Cumrew village and Hall’s Tenement. From there, access to the excavation site requires walking through fields which may be muddy, and hold livestock such as sheep.

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.

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.