How do I qualify?
Applicants must be over the age of 16, although consideration will be given to keen 15+ year old applicants if they live locally. All applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who will take responsibility for them while on the excavation. This person must also apply for an excavation placement and the name must be added to the application in the space provided. All applicants must be in good health. Contrary to television stereotyping, excavation is physically demanding, and good personal fitness and a strong constitution is desirable. No previous archaeological experience is required, as each volunteer will be supervised and guided in the best techniques possible to do the task required of them. Experienced volunteers are warmly welcomed. Throughout your excavation experience at Vindolanda we will endeavour to compliment or increase your excavation and post excavation skills.

To find out what some of the past volunteers have said about there experience at Vindolanda read their testimonials.

How much will it cost me?
£50 Excavation fee (for first 2 weeks).

£15 for an individual membership to the 'Friends of Vindolanda'.

£25 for a Family membership to the 'Friends of Vindolanda' (2 adults + 2 children).

The benefits of this membership to the 'Friends of Vindolanda' are set out on the 'Friends of Vindolanda' Page on this website.

Added to the membership of the 'Friends of Vindolanda', every excavator will receive a Vindolanda 2009 T-shirt. There will be the opportunity to purchase extra T-shirts for the price of £12 per shirt, and these are only available to excavators and can only be ordered in advance.

When can I come and for how long?
One week is the minimum, and two consecutive weeks are the recommended amount of time. Volunteers can be accepted for longer than a two week period, but a £20 fee is required for each additional week after the initial 2 week period. The starting date for the volunteer programme is the 31st March 2009, which is a Tuesday. The excavations will have placements available for volunteers until the 19th September which is the final day of the excavations in 2009.

The excavation places go on a first come, first served basis, so it is recommended that you apply as soon as it is convenient to ensure you get your first choice of dates. Applications for the excavations will close once the places have been filled for 2009.