Archaeology: From Dig to Lab and Beyond

Uncover the step-by-step process of archaeological excavation and research

Stonehenge might steal the spotlight, but just a few miles away, the Vale of Pewsey holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

On this two-week course from the University of Reading, you’ll step into the shoes of an archaeologist and follow a discovery from excavation to analysis, and finally, to public display.

From deciding where to dig to interpreting what’s found, you’ll explore the full arc of an archaeological investigation.

Along the way, you’ll learn how artefacts are recorded, preserved, and studied – and how even a fragment of pottery or a human tooth can open a window into the past.

Uncover the full process of archaeological investigation

Begin your journey at the field school in the Vale of Pewsey, where you’ll learn how archaeologists plan and conduct excavations at sites that still hold untapped historical value.

Explore how decisions are made about where to dig, what tools are used, and how each find is carefully documented for further study.

Analyse finds and interpret past lives

Next, head to the lab, where the real detective work begins.

You’ll discover how archaeological finds are cleaned, stored, and studied, and how experts draw conclusions about people’s diets, health, and occupations from objects and remains.

You’ll also dive into osteoarchaeology, the study of human bones, to learn how archaeologists piece together personal stories from burial sites.

Bring the past into the present

Finally, you’ll explore how discoveries are curated, interpreted, and shared with the public in museums and heritage spaces.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how archaeology bridges the gap between the ancient and modern world, discovering the ways even the smallest discoveries can reshape what we know about the past.

This course is designed for anyone interested in studying an archaeology degree at university. However, all those with an enthusiastic interest in archaeology are very welcome to join, as no prior knowledge of the subject matter is needed.

This course is designed for anyone interested in studying an archaeology degree at university. However, all those with an enthusiastic interest in archaeology are very welcome to join, as no prior knowledge of the subject matter is needed.

• Explain how an archaeological dig works, from the planning stages, through excavation, to the analysis and storage of artefacts
• Summarise the basic characteristics of all archaeological periods from the Mesolithic to the post-medieval period (c.8000 BC–AD 1900)
• Describe the main ways in which archaeologists analyse human skeletons
• Debate some of the key issues facing archaeology today
• Understand the transferable skills you will acquire from studying archaeology