How to Join
We are happy to welcome volunteers with all levels of experience and ability, please do get involved! There is always plenty of work for volunteers, both in the field for those keen to dig and in finds processing. We sometimes have environmental processing work available for volunteers who want to try their hand at floatation or residue sorting. There are also limited places available on the field training school for those who wish to learn new skills, though this is subject to availability. We provide the same training as is given to the CCCU students for their undergraduate degree course.
To join us for the next excavation season, register your interest by filling in the application and health and safety forms below. Email these to join@culverproject.co.uk and we will get back to you with regards to availability. We do charge a small fee for participation, and this goes towards the cost of bringing the research to publication, whilst also contributing to the maintenance and running costs of the excavation.
2022 Summer Excavation 30th May to 8th July
Training Course 30th May to 10th June (with option of 2 furthers weeks on site)
Monday to Friday 9.30-5.30
Subject to further Covid restrictions we plan to have more normal volunteer participation .
Unfortunately, we are not always able to cater for children and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Younger volunteers are welcome, but there must be suitable work available for them to complete during their visit, a situation which is changeable so please ask in advance.
If you have any other inquiries, please do not hesitate to ask - information@culverproject.co.uk
Volunteer application form
Health and safety questionaire
Current price lists can be found below, along with a description of the facilities available on-site and a list of what you will need to bring with you.
participation costs
Volunteer Only
£30 for up to 5 days
£50 for up to 10 days
£100 for whole season
Volunteer with Camping
£50 per week
includes dig fees
and use of showers, toilets, kitchen, rest room and laundry
Field School Training with Camping
£600 for comprehensive
2 week training course
30th May to 10th June
with optional 2 extra weeks on site
See details below
Volunteering Monday to Friday: Training Course Monday to Friday: Day 9.30am to 5.30pm
Facilities
Culver Project volunteers, students and campers have access to a purpose built facilities block a short walk of the campsite, the excavation site and the finds processing unit/lecture hall.
Facilities include:
Full working kitchen with;
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Oven/hob/microwaves
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Fridge/freezers
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Toasters
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Kettles
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Dishwashers
Bathroom facilities with;
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Hot water
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Showers
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Flushing toilets
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Hand-washing facilities
Common area with;
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Indoor seating
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Tables
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Electricity supply
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Archaeological library
There is NO WIFI at the site
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There is also the use of a washing machine and tumble dryer
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Limited parking is available
Camping is in a designated field at Bridge Farm
What to Bring
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4" WHS trowel
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Sturdy footwear
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Water bottle
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Hat
All volunteers and students must have a current tetanus vaccination and should have read our Risk Assessment and Control Plan documents, see below:
If you are planning to camp, you are required to bring your own equipment. Meals are not provided, though there is full self-catering facilities and there are pubs within longer walking distance selling hot food.
Campers are advised to be prepared for all weather conditions- the nights can be fairly cold, even in June/July. Sleeping mats are recommended and ear plugs can be beneficial for light sleepers. Don't forget to bring a torch, you will be in the country!
It is recommended that all volunteers read our site manual, To CAP it all, (see below) and will be required to read Section 3 on Health and Safety on Site before being allowed on the excavation.
Risk Assessment
Risk control plan
Safety on site
To CAP it ALL
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Waterproof clothing
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Sunscreen
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Lunch/snacks (self-catering)
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Gardening/work gloves
Field school
The CAP field school is predominantly run for the first and second year undergraduate archaeology students of Canterbury Christchurch University. However, there are a limited number of places available for volunteers and students from other institutions who wish to improve their excavation skills, learn about different fieldwork techniques, or be trained in how to use the range of different tools and equipment often used on archaeological sites.
The fieldwork training is equivalent to that received by undergraduate students completing degree-level courses at university and is provided by a range of different specialists. The aim is to give participants a good overview of different field methods used in archaeology, whilst also engaging them in current research. During the first two weeks, participants spend most of their time learning new skills in both classroom-type sessions and during hands-on practical training exercises. The final two optional weeks are mainly spent in the field, putting these new skills into practice and working alongside volunteers, students and experienced excavators to contribute to the research project. Much of the course is based on directions given in our site manual, To CAP it all, which is available for free download from our publications page.
We cover the following techniques/skills (subject to weather conditions and availability):
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Site health and safety
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Excavation techniques
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Magnetometry survey
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Resistivity survey
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Use of 'total station' and 'dumpy' level
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Excavation recording
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Plan drawing
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Section drawing
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Site formation
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Environmental archaeology
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Finds processing
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Archaeological photography
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Site grid set-up
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Standing vernacular buildings
Follow this link to a video of CCCU students at Bridge Farm: https://youtu.be/6IRAkXkkhjI
Training course programme
Training course application form
Health and safety questionnaire
Send completed forms to join@culverproject.co.uk
