Whether its Howard Carter and King Tut’s tomb, or the Sutton Hoo Treasure in Suffolk, many of us have been fascinated at some point in our lives by the intriguing and mysterious discoveries found by archaeologists.

In July 2022 the Surrey County Archaeological Unit, together with the National Trust, organised a dig at a site in Runneymede in which the Chertsey Museums’ Young Archaeologists Club was invited to join. Young people from the age of 8 to 16 were encouraged to be involved. The operation was focused on St Mary’s Medieval Priory, the Tudor Garden, Manor House, and Georgian conversion. Work was centred on excavating the Cloister where pieces of terracotta, animal bones and glazed tiling were found.

Being my first experience with archaeology it was a hands-on approach to learning. This was fun and informative, providing a glimpse into local history. Afterwards I wanted to learn more about how young people who are interested can get involved or pursue a career in the area.

So who better to answer my questions than Harry Farmer, National Trust Assistant Archaeologist and Emily Dove, Chertsey Museum Education Officer & Assistant Curator who were at the dig.

Both being fascinated at an early age believe that you are never too young to get into archaeology and recommend joining your local Young Archaeologist’s Club. For those considering archaeology as a possible career there are university courses and apprenticeships. Job opportunities range from field work, curation in museums and in education.

Some of the things that Harry enjoys most about his job in the industry is discovering “How ordinary people lived and interacted with each other, their environment and possessions is often lacking from historical sources but when we undertake an archaeological investigation, we are able to gain some physical proximity with these stories of the past.”

One or two things Emily suggest that you keep in mind when choosing a career in this field is “If you are going to be a commercial archaeologist, be prepared to be outside in all weathers! In heritage and museums there are fewer jobs around so you might find it hard to get your dream job.”

The burning question was, why is it important for young people to get into archaeology? Harry summed it up perfectly with… “At its core, archaeology is a learning discipline. It is therefore pivotal to constantly challenge, research and further investigate established theories and concepts. This relies on fresh perspectives and new points of view which are often brought to the profession by new archaeologists and heritage professionals. The very essence of archaeology is the story of humanity and our relationship with the environment throughout the ages. Therefore, it is essential that young voices, passions, and insights come through to help uncover, interpret, and communicate these ever-expanding stories in new and exciting ways.”

Keen to know more?

Try reading “Archaeology is Rubbish: A Beginner’s Guide” by Mick Aston and Tony Robinson or search Carenza Lewis’s Dig School.