Ribchester Revisited 2016

Last year saw the successful first season of the Ribchester Revisited excavations, a joint archaeological project between the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Ribchester Roman Museum.

Ribchester Revisited Jim and Duncan, who lead the dig activities for UCLan, are looking forward to returning to Ribchester. This year, as well as UCLan students, they will be joined by students from other British universities and colleges, American universities and the National University of Australia. The group will be arriving in Ribchester on the 20^th June and leaving on the 18^th July.

Last year a number of local residents volunteered on the excavation and they would like to extend that opportunity to as many people as possible his year.

The team will be taking volunteers on most days from Wednesday 22^nd June to Saturday 16^th July. Based on feedback from last year volunteering opportunities have been split into morning (10am-1pm) and afternoon (2pm-5pm) sessions. An archaeological excavation involves much more than digging, there are finds that need cleaning and cataloguing, environmental soil samples to process and this year the project will be undertaking some geophysics to the east of the village.

To volunteer with the excavation this year please complete the volunteering form indicating which morning/afternoon sessions and the type of archaeological activity you would like to partake in. Some activities are only available on certain days and all are subject to the vagaries of Ribchester’s weather. Anyone under 16 years old will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. There is space for around four volunteers a session and the team will try to fit everyone in. With this in mind, they are asking that people initially volunteer for a maximum of six sessions. Spaces will be distributed on a first come first served basis.

If you wish to help out with the excavation but do not fancy getting muddy, donations of cakes and biscuits are always welcome for tea breaks. Archaeology can be hungry work! The dig will also be open for visitors and tours 10am to 6pm every day except Monday (which is their day off), from Wednesday 22^nd June to Sunday 17^th July. On the last Saturday, 16^th July, there will be a site tour at 2.30pm by Duncan followed by a talk in the village hall at 3.15pm by Jim to summarise this year’s findings.

Jim and Dumcan would like to extend their thanks to everyone in the village for being so supportive of this project and we look forward to welcoming old friends and new to the excavation this year.