Small scale 'community' digging

[gorilla]

Hi everyone...

Been going through one of those times where I wish I could get back to my roots (to undertake a bit of mud archaeology).

I've been thinking about setting up a sort of 'community' archaeology dig... yet I'm not sure how to go about it (well, the practicalities of initialising one). I've got the people (myself as organiser, my partner and quite a few 'interested' others) and can get hold of the tools and gubbins to undertake the project. What I need is a 'site'! I have no problem in accessing the local HER (I use it in my day job) so I can find 'sites' of interest as a matter of course. Yet, for some reason, I'm not sure how to go about the setting up of the dig and who to contact in the first instance. I don't want it to be a major excavation, just a happy band of like-minded individuals (any level of experience and background) wanting a bit of mud-buddy fun (with obvious pub visits).

Anyone with experience in this? Just how do you go about starting one of these things? Any views and pointers gratefully received.

Cheers

Guerilla

[BAJR Host]

Was in the process of writing a general guide to this...

Funding
Insurance
Type of Project
Equipment
Numbers
Expectations
etc....

Have been a bit sidetracked.

Would be more than happy to chat with you about it..
and perhaps we could come to a deal... we will help in any way we can. and we could look at a brilliant (and well needed) article about the whole thing... why... what you looked for.. what resources were ther to get going... how you put it together... how it worked... then happy bit... the ups the downs, the highs and the pitfalls...

We could then collaborate on the BAJR Guide... ensuring good solid info on what to do...

give me a call...

01620 861643 you will either get MAggie or Me

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[gorilla]

Cheers hosty... I shall be in contact in due course

[m300572]

MIght be worth talking to Norman Redhead at the Greater Manchester Unit - they have done a fair few community digs recently, also try Somerset County Council - Chris Webster used to run a small excavation every year.

[Wibblehead]

Manchester Unit have done some great community work.

We've done a heck of a lot of small scale community archaeology projects at Notts County Council, so i'm certain i can offer advice if you wanted.

What part of the country are you in?

Feel free to mail me. Think my email address is linked on my profile.

~~~~~
Thunder rolled. ... It rolled a six.

[BAJR Host]

Gawd.. does BAJR not give you a warm feeling sometimes... help offered from some excellent places!

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[drpeterwardle]

The first thing is to cost up a budget for the things you cant do yourself eg C14 dating conservation and materials you cant acquire as well as insurances etc and decide if you can afford it! A couple of grand should do it (see thread on permatrace!).

The second things to do in find the site, check it is not scheduled or otherwise protected and then get the permission of the land owner (the freeholder) and the occupier. Similarly you will have to check that there is no ecological reasons why you cant dig there and that an ecology survey is not necessary.

Where are you?

Peter

[monty]

Not sure of details etc but a possible funding source may be a lottery grant ?

[peter noble]

Gorilla,

I am a community archaeologist for the Manchester Unit and if you would like me to arrange a chat/meeting with Norman Redhead and myself just let me know via Host

Peter Noble

[BAJR Host]

Thanks a lot Peter... so glad that there are some top Com archs out there.. and all willing to share their knowledge.


"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton