An Archaeological Adventure for all – Starts this Weekend!

Saturday 17th July – Sunday 1st August. An archaeological extravaganza is promised this summer, as the CBA’s annual Festival of British Archaeology gets under way.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, the Festival will be the biggest ever UK-wide event focusing on archaeology, and with more events organised for the public to attend than ever before, it promises to be a fascinating fortnight for those inspired by the past. A quarter of a million members of the public are expected to attend more than 740 excavations, guided walks, special talks, family fun and activity days, re-enactments, finds identification days and much much more, discovering Britain’s extraordinary past for themselves.

Public interest in archaeology has never been greater, as highlighted by recent high profile stories such as the discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard, and the Roman Gladiators in York hitting the headlines worldwide. New research by the CBA has identified over 2000 active community archaeology groups all across the UK, with a membership of over 220,000, and it is believed this represents just a small proportion of the UK’s population who have a fascination in archaeology; the annual Festival of British Archaeology is the perfect opportunity for everyone to delve deeper into the past and understand why archaeology really does matter.

The Festival of British Archaeology is coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology and aims to give everyone an opportunity to learn more about the past and to encourage them to pursue this further. It is celebrated both by national heritage and conservation bodies such as the National Trust, English Heritage, the RSPB, Natural England, the National Parks and the British Museum, as well as the hundreds of societies, community archaeology groups, museums and universities that champion the history on our doorsteps. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world.

Witnessing something that has not been seen for 2000 years or more being lifted from the soil just fascinates people

explains Dr. Mike Heyworth, Director of the CBA.

Taking a closer look at the lives of our ancestors through the objects and landscapes they have left behind is an experience no one ever forgets. We hope that by taking part people will be encouraged to explore the past further, whether by visiting museums, joining a local archaeology group or by reading more about their favourite period. All periods of history – and indeed, prehistory – can be experienced too, with events and activities to engage participants in many different aspects of archaeology across the UK, from the Scilly Islands to Orkney and hundreds of places in-between! Events range from caving trips to see prehistoric markings in Somerset and a Roman film festival in Chichester to joining in with the excavation of a Victorian terraced house in Sheffield, guided walks around the Roman landscape of Northumberland, and sampling life as a marine archaeologist by having a go at scuba diving with English Heritage in Portsmouth!

The Festival of British Archaeology kicks off with the British Archaeological Awards ceremony, to be held at the British Museum, which will showcase and celebrate the very best in UK Archaeology, and will be attended by the Minister for Tourism, John Penrose MP.

Full events details can be found on the Festival website events listings, which lists over 740 events, including hands-on activities, family fun days, talks, demonstrations and walks taking place between Saturday 17th July and Sunday 1st August 2010.

Find out what is happening on your doorstep and discover archaeology!

Notes for editors:

To find out more about events taking place and about the Festival itself, please visit the Festival website.

The Festival of British Archaeology is co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, an educational charity founded in 1944 to promote the appreciation and care of the historical environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Festival of British Archaeology is the new name for the extremely successful and popular National Archaeology Week, the annual UK-wide event which encourages people to get involved in archaeology through specially organised events and which has been celebrated and supported by hundreds of heritage organisations since its outset in 1990.

The Council for British Archaeology works closely with colleagues at Archaeology Scotland who organise Scottish Archaeology Month each year in September.

For more media information or photographs, please contact:

Sophie Cringle

Marketing & Events Officer, Council for British Archaeology. Tel: 01904 671417. Email

Festival of British Archaeology photographs are also available, in a range of different resolutions, for download from the Festival gallery