Lincoln Archaeological Field School 2017

19 th June to 15 th July 2017

www.diglincoln.com

OverviewThe Lincoln Archaeological Field School is open to all students taking history, archaeology, anthropology or related degree programmes who wish to gain transferable academic credits in fieldwork.

This summer, the Field School will continue its investigation of the medieval settlement and landscape of Harpswell, located about 12 miles north of the historic city of Lincoln. Excavation promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s and will revisit the site of a suspected high-status or manorial residence and its associated precinct. The highlight of the 2016 investigation was the uncovering of a substantial masonry structure, which appears to have been part of a formal walkway or approach. The main aim of the 2017 excavation is to discover where the approach led to, with the tantalising prospect that it is the approach to a residence of the Archbishop of York, known to have existed at Harpswell during the medieval period. All training is given by qualified and experienced staff. Practical on-site training will be complimented by a number of workshops both on site and in the University’s Archaeology Lab.

The 2017 season will run from 19th June to 15th July (application closing date is 31st May). The Field School is worth 5 US credits (or 10 ECTS or 20 UK credits). Cost for four weeks training, tuition, examination fees and credits is £1500. Accreditation will be approved upon successful completion of a formal written assignment.

ActivitiesEach season Field School students are given formal tuition in the following activities:

• Archaeological project management including health and safety• Geophysical site survey techniques• Excavation strategy and decision making• Stratigraphic (single-context) recording systems• Completing archaeological context descriptions • Plan and section drawing• Surveying and levelling• Archaeological photography• Processing and recording archaeological artefacts, including basic conservation methods • Processing environmental archaeological samples, including flotation sieving• Introduction to the post-excavation process

Joining the Field SchoolThe Lincoln Archaeological Field School is open to all UK or overseas students taking archaeology or related degree programmes and who want accredited field work experience. The Field School takes place over a period of four weeks and is primarily excavation-based; there are also opportunities for students to participate in geophysical survey and lab-based processing of artefacts and environmental material. Tuition is delivered through a mixture of on-site training in practical skills, supported by formal lectures and workshops.

The Field School takes a number of external students each season who are joined by Bishop Grosseteste’s current undergraduates and postgraduates. In addition, a small number of volunteers also take part, and will help deliver a range of public and community activities.

Credits and AssessmentStudents who successfully fulfil the attendance requirement and complete the assessment task will accumulate academic credit at the following level: 20 UK CATS credits, equivalent to 10 ECTS credits or 5 US credits. The required assessment task includes the compilation of a portfolio including a detailed site report and a critical commentary of training delivered and skills attained.

EnrolmentStudents wishing to join the Field School 2017 should contact Bishop Grosseteste to obtain a joining/information pack which includes an application form and other materials. Completed application forms should be returned to the University by 31st

May 2017. Acceptance is subject to receiving a suitable academic reference. The basic fee for Field School includes daily site transport, formal tuition, on-site and lab-based training, and examination fees, but does not include accommodation.

Students will be taught how to excavate to the highest professional standards by a team of experienced

archaeologists and educators

AccommodationFor an additional charge, self-catering facilities are available in Bishop Grosseteste University’s Halls of residence. Located in the historic heart of Roman and medieval Lincoln, the accommodation comprises individual bedrooms around a shared cooking and living space. The University’s accommodation is located in the uphill district of Lincoln with a number of restaurants, food outlets and other shops within a few minutes walk. Transport will be provided each day between the University and the excavation site, which is a short 20 minute bus ride from Lincoln.

Volunteers Volunteers are welcome to join the excavation for any period of one or more weeks on dates as specified. Volunteers pay a lesser fee which includes basic induction and on-site guidance with regard to excavation and recording methods. Volunteers cannot, however, gain academic credits for their involvement. University accommodation is not available to volunteers. The Field School usually has space for around a dozen or so volunteers per week — please contact us for further information and a booking form.

Accommodation is located in the historic heart of Lincoln, a short walk from attractions such as the cathedral and castle

Students will have the opportunity to work alongside a combination of BGU’s undergraduates, postgraduates, as well as volunteers and community members

Landscape and Community: The Harpswell Investigation ProjectThe principal focus of the current Lincoln Archaeological Field School is the investigation of the medieval and later landscape of Harpswell, Lincolnshire.

Located approximately 12 miles north of the Roman city of Lincoln, Harpswell today is a small village featuring an early medieval church and other historic buildings set within the attractive English countryside. The church hints at the historic significance of Harpswell, the documentary evidence for which dates back to the 11th Century. Archaeological and other evidence, however, indicate that the area has a far longer and important history with evidence for Anglo-Saxon and Roman activity identified in the area.

In the Tudor period, the village was the site of an impressive manor house and formal garden complex known as Harpswell Hall. The hall and designed landscape surrounding it are preserved as a series of archaeological earthworks, the most striking elements of which include a prospect mound and a water-filled moat thought to have reused or adapted an earlier medieval manorial site.

The Lincoln Archaeological Field School seeks to answer key questions about this fascinating site and reconstruct its largely unknown Roman, medieval and later history.

Students will be instructed on the entire excavation process, including survey, recording, and analysis

What will I need to bring?Excavation is a physical activity that requires a little preparation but no particularly specialised equipment. You should however equip yourself with a good pair of boots or shoes, the walking or hiking type are generally best – trainers or other sports-style shoes should not be worn. Please note that for safety reasons sandals or similar footwear are not allowed on site. The British weather is noted for its unpredictability so a sun-hat and sun-screen are essential but so are light-weight water-proofs just in case it rains! (You are strongly advised to obtain suitable personal travel/health insurance especially if you are travelling from overseas). Further information about the practical aspects of joining the Field School will be sent to participants prior to the start date.

The one piece of personal equipment you must obtain before arrival is a trowel. The recommended type is a drop-forged 4-inch pointing/archaeologists trowel (with either a traditional wooden or softer rubberised handle) manufactured by WHS (UK) or the equivalent manufactured by Marshalltown (USA). All other equipment will be supplied on site.

LONDON

Manchester

Newcastle

Edinburgh

Birmingham

Nottingham

Sheffield

BristolCardiff

LINCOLN

Field School Enquiries should be made to:Dr Duncan WrightDirector: Lincoln Archaeological Field SchoolRoom 7, Old School House,Bishop Grosseteste University LincolnLN1 3DYUK

Website: www.diglincoln.comEmail: duncan.wright@bishopg.ac.uk

Tel: (+44) (0) 1522 527347

WALES ENGLAND

SCOTLAND

www.diglincoln.com

Lincoln Archaeological Field School 2017

Humberside45m

East Midlands1h 20m

Robin Hood1h

Birmingham1h 45m

Manchester2h 20m

Stansted2h 10m

Luton2h 15m

Heathrow2h 40m

Gatwick3h 20m

King’s Cross/ St. Pancras

2h

Lincoln is only 30 minutes by rail from the East Coast Main Line, the UK’s main north-south Railway route. If you’re

using the train simply hop off at Newark North Gate and catch the short connection to Lincoln Central.

All of the UK’s international airports are well served by public transport links, so wherever you fly in to you can be

sure that getting to us will be straightforward.