This accredited programme is designed to give participants their first experience of the archaeological excavation process and has a particular focus on the retrieval, recording and initial processing of human remains. You will take part as a team member on a research excavation at the site of a medieval friary, the Blackfriary in Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland. You will experience all key tasks routinely performed on an excavation site and in an on-site post-excavation lab, including engaging with the treatment of archaeological human remains. In addition to the on-site work, you will also take part in the initial post-excavation processing of artefacts, environmental samples and human remains, and you will gain valuable skills. With expert tuition from the Programme Team as well as from visiting specialists, the programme is run as a four-week full-time block outside of normal college semester time. The medieval town of Trim is less than an hour from the capital city Dublin. It is located in the Boyne Valley, one of the most scenic and historic areas of Ireland, and home to the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site and you will visit a number of key sites in the area as part of your stay.

 

This five-week intensive programme aims to give students of archaeology/anthropology and others an opportunity to gain accredited practical hands-on experience on a live archaeological excavation site. Unlike its sister programme, the Certificate in Archaeological Excavation and Recording, this programme places particular emphasis on best practices in dealing with human remains in an archaeological context. No previous field experience is required, as you will be introduced to all procedures and techniques routinely carried out on an archaeological excavation as well as being given an introduction to the key approaches to post-excavation analysis as well as the appropriate techniques and protocols required for dealing with human remains.