Archaeology Field Excavation Summer School

Thursday 3rd July to Wednesday 23rd July

Academic Entry Requirements

As the course is open to applicants with no prior experience of archaeological excavation, there are no academic entry requirements for this programme.

English Language Entry Requirements:

Applicants will need to demonstrate that they meet the necessary English language requirements.

We will accept a Statement of Language Level Form signed by their home institution, confirming that the student’s level of English is B2 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages in line with requirements for the Standard Visitor Visa.

Alternatively, we also accept any formal certification from the approved range of official qualifications listed at Undergraduate Degrees - English Requirements | Study Here | The University of Aberdeen (abdn.ac.uk).

These must have been issued within two years prior to planned commencement at Aberdeen.

£4,000

Price Includes:

• All tuition, teaching materials and a transcript.
• Lab and Site Materials.
• Transport costs to and from excavation/field sites.
• 9 nights accommodation (uncatered) in University halls of residence.
• 11 nights accomomdation (including breakfast and evening meals) near the excavation site.
• Leisure and Social activities 

Not included:

• International travel to and from the UK.
• Transport costs to/from the University from within the UK.
• Travel or health insurance.
• Visa costs, where applicable.
• Additional subsistence costs

15 University of Aberdeen academic credits.

This is roughly equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3-4 US Semester credits.

Receiving applications until February 28th 2025

The course is intended for those with no prior experience of archaeological excavation, however, we gladly welcome those who have previous experience and are looking to broaden their skill set.

Training in the skills needed to plan, undertake and report on an archaeological excavation will be provided, helping you to build the foundations for your future education and career in archaeology, but we will try to tailor experiences to the individual participant wherever possible.

Upon completing the course, you will have:

• Understanding of the development of Pictish society and the archaeological traces of the Picts
• Acquired key practical skills in archaeological excavation, survey and recording methods (including geophysical, traditional drawing, laser scanning, drone survey and photogrammetry).
• A good understanding of the aims, methodology and results of an archaeological excavation and an ability to participate in research excavation and understand the logistics involved
• Established experience in how to describe and critically evaluate stratigraphic relationships of archaeological features and deposits.
• Applied knowledge of the conventions regarding archaeological field records, including context sheets, plan drawings, section drawings, artefact drawings, artefact and feature photography, Harris matrices, and a site report.
• Acquired an understanding of the processes involved in post-excavation including processing environmental samples, sorting artefacts and basic conservation steps
• Awareness and experience of the computer skills needed to create maps and digital data for analysis of excavation and survey data

This summer school feeds into the on-going research of the school coordinators, Professor Gordon Noble and Ellie Graham of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Aberdeen on early medieval archaeology, digital skills in survey and excavation, and the emergence of the Picts.

The long-term Northern Picts Project is casting new light on the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ of Northern Britain and Scotland. A central research question focuses on the interactions between Roman and Iron Age communities, the ways in which this led to the development of the first documented kingdoms in Northeast Scotland, and how the powerful Pictish polity which ruled over much of northern Scotland in the first millennium AD changed through time.

The origins of the mysterious Pictish culture and their precursors are poorly understood, despite playing a pivotal role in the emergence of the medieval kingdom of Scotland, but their captivating carved stones are some of the most eye-catching and enigmatic monuments of early medieval Europe.

In 2025 the Archaeology Field Excavation Summer School will take part in excavations at East Lomond, part of a long-term project on a major hilltop settlement which spans the Roman Iron Age and early medieval periods, covering the time period in which the Picts emerged in Late Roman sources and went on to become the largest kingdom of early medieval Scotland.

East Lomond enjoys commanding views overlooking the entirety of Fife, over the Tay Estuary to the north, and to the south to Edinburgh over the Firth of Forth – which represented the southern boundary of the Pictish kingdom. This strategic location made it an ideal location for a regional stronghold of the Pictish ruling elite.

Recent excavations have provided convincing scientific dating evidence, and revealed the importance of the site, with rich occupation material. Finds from the 2024 work highlighted its role on the international stage, with evidence of connections across Europe and beyond including Late Roman amphora suggesting the Pictish elite here were drinking Mediterranean wine. Dense and intensive settlement activity is shown by multiple structures and hearths with evidence of crafting and metalworking, key activities at Late Roman Iron Age and early medieval high-status sites.

This summer school is a field-based programme where you will be undertaking an archaeological excavation and survey activities outdoors. As such, this will involve long spells outside, undertaking physically demanding activity. This includes shovelling and moving buckets of soil, with a lot of time spent bending over on your knees while trowelling. That said, we will try to accommodate those who are physically less able – if you have any concerns do get in touch.

You will be working in the picturesque Scottish outdoors. While known for its beauty, it is also known for its changeable weather, and you should be ready to work in a variety of different weather conditions! You will need to bring clothes suitable for both hot and cold conditions, waterproof jacket and trousers, and a good pair of work boots. We will provide all of the necessary equipment you will need to undertake your excavation, including a trowel.

Finally, we ask that you follow all of the health and safety instructions we give you before and during the excavation, for your own personal wellbeing and the safety of those around you. If you have any further questions about the nature of the work being undertaken on this summer school, please contact us at goabroad.incoming@abdn.ac.uk.

The field school includes a range of field trips and visits, particularly focused on exploring other Pictish sites around northeast and central Scotland, including the northern hillfort of Tap O’Noth and the early royal centre of Rhynie, Pictish stones near Inverurie and elsewhere in Northeast Scotland, the Pictish early Christian site (and modern scenic town) of St Andrews, and the mysterious Wemyss Caves on the Fife coast, home to the largest collection of Pictish carvings cut into the living rockface.