BGU’s Archaeology Field School returns with a four-week excavation at the site of one of Lincoln’s most iconic buildings.
The Field School will take place between 20 June - 15 July and is open to all adults, or children aged 14 and over with an accompanying adult, and will deliver training in field archaeology and excavation skills, post-excavation finds processing, and recording data.
All teaching and training will be delivered by expert archaeologists and fully qualified supervisors, overseen by a Director of Training and Welfare.
Despite being an important site in the heart of historical Lincoln, only small-scale excavations have taken place at The Lawn, with the most recent taking place in the 1980s, meaning those taking part in the Field School will have the opportunity to further the knowledge of the history of Lincoln throughout the ages.
The Field School will build on the findings from the previous excavation, which found evidence of a potential Roman cemetery nearby, two possible Roman roads, as well as possible pre-Roman activity and important evidence for the transition from the Roman to Early Medieval period.
The grounds of The Lawn were once home to St Bartholomew’s Church, which was first recorded in the twelfth century and is no longer visible on the site, but church wall, the graveyard, and a bell-casting pit were also uncovered in the 1980s.
During the late medieval period, the area was used for carrying out judicial sentences including trials by combat before becoming open fields until 1819, when a ‘lunatic asylum’ opened as The Lawn, which would eventually become the first asylum in the country to abolish the mechanical restraint.
Dr. Derwin Gregory, Programme Leader for Archaeology and Heritage at BGU, said: “Lincoln is a truly unique city that has been a key player during most periods of history, with evidence of Roman, Medieval, Victorian and wartime occupation across the city.
“BGU’s Archaeology Field School is a rare and exciting opportunity to participate in an archaeological excavation at one of Lincoln’s most loved sites and to play a hands-on part in literally uncovering the history of the city.
“At BGU we aim to make archaeology as accessible as possible, so in additional to receiving practical archaeological skills training and academic credits, the course also sets out to use archaeology to promote mental and physical wellbeing and to make it a supportive and inclusive experience for all who get involved.”
More information about BGU’s Archaeological Field School can be found at: https://www.bgu.ac.uk/archaeology-field-school-2022