We Dig Derventio
We DIG Derventio returns to Little Chester to see what else we can uncover of the Roman town of Derventio. What will participants find this year?
Working with Derby Museums, we will welcome students and archaeology enthusiasts to help uncover more of the Roman town of Derventio near the River Derwent. This year we hope to find evidence of pottery-making, food production, and everyday life in the settlement.
The dig will run on weekdays for four weeks, from 3rd to 28th August 2026, giving participants plenty of hands-on excavation experience.
Families are welcome too! If you have children interested in archaeology, check out our Family Weekend activities for a fun introduction to digging and discovery as part of the CBA’s Festival of Archaeology.
What Have We Already Found?
Past digs have already uncovered some fascinating Roman remains. In 2013 and 2014, the ‘Our City Our River’ project dug test trenches to reduce flood risk while protecting Derby’s heritage. These trenches revealed a well-built Roman road, along with nearby buildings, workshops, and evidence of metalworking, including iron tools and quernstones/ millstones.
Some buildings had stone walls and solid floors, while rubble from collapsed structures was scattered across the site. Small ditches may have marked fields for farming. Together, these discoveries show that a lively Roman settlement once stood here.
Last year’s dig also uncovered 20th-century materials, such as bottles, pottery, and other waste, spread across a series of long pits running east to west.
We don’t yet know their exact purpose, though they may relate to farming or drainage. The pits were cut into river-deposited clay. Dating was difficult because the layers contained materials from the Romano-British period through to the 18th century. On the final day of excavations, a Romano-British demolition layer was revealed below the clay, possibly indicating a collapsed stone building on top of the remains of a cobble surface. A number of finds were recovered, including pottery, a hair pin and coins
What Will We Do?
Archaeology studies the lives of people in the past through the objects they left behind. This includes rubbish, ruins, or items that were deliberately buried. It helps us understand the everyday lives of people that history often didn’t record.
As a training dig, participants will learn the basics of archaeological excavation. This includes troweling, shoveling, and cleaning. You will also learn how to record a site using plans, levels, and section drawings, and how to process finds—washing, sorting, and analyzing objects and environmental samples.
Specialist sessions will include metal detecting and identifying different artefacts, giving everyone a chance to try professional archaeological techniques.
Our aims for the dig are to
- Reinvestigate and expand the trenches started in 2025
- Test the preservation of potential surfaces and structures, and understand their form and function
- Learn how the Roman town (called a vicus) grew and how large it became
- Give students and the public hands-on experience and skills for future archaeology careers.
Book your place on the We DIG Derventio training dig today! Spaces are limited.
The Training Dig
You can take part in the dig by booking either a taster day or a 1 or 2 week training course. Because of the technical nature of the work and the depth of some trenches, participants must be at least 14 years old. Those aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a full-paying adult. Spaces are limited, with just 14 paying places available per day.
Sponsored Taster Places
With the wonderful support of local businesses, we are able to offer a limited number of free taster days on the Derventio excavations this year to members of the local community who might otherwise struggle to access the training dig.
Is archaeology something that interests you, but you have never been involved before? Are you thinking about trying it as a career but finding it hard to access opportunities because they are too far away or too expensive? Or are you looking for a new hobby in retirement, or a way into employment?
If so, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete our application form to apply for a free taster day.
Please Note: These places are for Derby residents only
Taster Days
Taster days are ideal for anyone who wants to try archaeology but cannot commit to a full week. During a taster day, you’ll get a hands-on introduction to excavation work and have the opportunity to experience basic archaeological skills in a real field setting.
The Courses
The 1 week course offers a more detailed, practical experience of archaeological fieldwork. You will take part in excavation and recording, learn essential field techniques, and receive health and safety guidance on the first day. The week also includes seminars and workshops led by specialists from York Archaeology and the City Museums, along with a guided tour of the City Museums to show how archaeological knowledge is interpreted and shared with the public. For a full view of what the week entails, see the provisional schedule below.
We DIG - Derventio 2026 Provisional Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 – 10:15 AM (meet outside Chester Green Community Centre) | New trainee inductions and day’s schedule | New trainee inductions and day’s schedule | New trainee inductions and day’s schedule | New trainee inductions and day’s schedule | New trainee inductions and day’s schedule |
| 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Pottery and Roman finds handling session. Hand excavation skills | Excavation, sieving, finds processing Photography skills training Introduction to Archaeobotany | Excavation, sieving, finds processing Plan and section drawings training | Excavation, sieving, finds processing Harris Matrix and context sheets training Metal detecting introduction | Excavation, sieving, finds processing Survey Skills Drone Survey |
| 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | As above | As above | As above | Pack up site Museum visit and tour | As above |
| 4:00 PM | Pack up site | Pack up site | Pack up site | Pack up site |
This schedule is provisional and may change, particularly if the weather is poor or unforeseen circumstances arise. Other activities during the dig could include an introduction to the Portable Antiquities Scheme with the Finds Liaison Officer for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, a small finds handling and identification session, and hands-on Heritage Craft activities.
Prices
Full Paying Adult 16+ One Day – £95
Full Paying Adult 16+ One Week – £440
Full Paying Adult 16+ Two Weeks – £820
Returnees from 2025, Students, 14-16 year olds, One Day – £85
Returnees from 2025, Students, 14-16 year olds, One Week – £400
To qualify for the reduced rate, participants must provide proof of age, a student ID, or evidence of participation in last year’s dig by emailing [email protected] before the dig.
Book online here or by phone on 01904 615505
For assistance with booking contact us on 01904 615505
For enquiries specifically about the training, contact us at [email protected] or on 07767238756
