The Durotriges Big Dig 2012 (Archaeology field school) (Short Course)

Course overview

The Durotiges Project - as featured on the BBC's Digging for Britain (series 1 & 2).

The Durotriges Project is an archaeological investigation studying the transition from the late Iron Age to the early Roman period in southern England.

The fieldwork, takes place within Dorset, a county of outstanding natural beauty and one of the best preserved archaeological landscapes in Britain. The project is run as a Bournemouth University summer field school.

Archaeological Background

The invasion of southern Britain by Rome is usually treated as if it was a single, dramatic event, with the Roman legions fighting a lengthy and bitter war of conquest. But, was it really like this? The Durotriges Project is reconsidering the Iron Age to Roman transition through a detailed programme of field survey, geophysical investigation and targeted excavation. In the summer of 2009 excavation commenced (continuing in 2010, 2011 & 2012), upon an enclosed late Iron Age 'banjo' settlement containing round houses, work surfaces, storage pits and the footings of a Roman masonry building.

Student profile

"I found the project to be exceptionally well-run with true professional vigour; from an academic perspective it ticked all the boxes both during the dig and in supplying me with information to complete my own assignments. I would recommend the dig to other students without hesitation; not only did I learn how a professional dig is managed but I have made friends for life and good professional contacts for the future" Jonathan Wyatt, Archaeology student, University of Exeter.