Dig at Roman Caerleon, Summer 2011
20 June 2011
Visiting the dig in 2010. © Cardiff University / UCL
Archaeologists will be working on the newly discovered suburb of monumental buildings outside the Roman fortress at Caerleon from 4 August to 1 September.
The aim of this year’s excavation by Cardiff University staff and students is to investigate the remains of these important buildings – thought to include marketplaces, warehouses, baths and possibly temples – and find out more about when they were built, what they were for, and what happened to them after the legion left Caerleon.
The dig is open to the public who can find out how the archaeologists are getting on during special site tours at 11.00 am and 2.30 pm every day (except Wednesdays). Follow signs from the Amphitheatre car park (access to the site is across fields).
Visitors are welcome throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend (27th-29th, 10 am to 4.30 pm). As well as tours, there will be displays of the latest finds and lots of activities for families to join in – including dressing up as Romans, making pots and sampling Roman cooking.
There are also opportunities for people to volunteer on the excavation and learn more about how archaeologists find out about the past. Anyone can take part - young and old (under 16s with parents only) – and volunteers can join the dig for weekends, the odd day here or there, or just a morning or afternoon. Places are limited and to apply to volunteer at Caerleon in 2011 email Dr Paula Jones, Community Archaeologist, at: JonesPL1@cardiff.ac.uk.
Find out more about Cardiff University’s recent research at Caerleon.