Education

Strata Florida Archaeology Field School

The Strata Florida Trust Archaeology Field School, which will return for its second year next summer

The school will run for six weeks throughout June and July at the site of Strata Florida Abbey, an internationally significant Medieval Monastic site a few miles from Tregaron, in Mid Wales. The field school is ideal for anyone eager to learn about the techniques of archaeological excavation or considering a future career as a field archaeologist.

The course will be delivered by the Strata Florida Trust and builds on established archaeological research and training programmes conducted at Strata Florida between 2004 and 2015. Support for the field school comes from The Prince’s Foundation, Allchurches Trust, University of Wales Trinity St. David, Breaking Ground Heritage and Sacred Landscapes Research Project.

This is a unique opportunity for people both young and old, from all different backgrounds, to take part in an archaeological excavation at this important historical site. No archaeological experience is necessary to complete the course. In addition, the training is being made as accessible as possible so people who never thought they could participate in archaeology (perhaps because of physical or mental health challenges) are welcomed and encouraged to sign up.

Duration

29th June to 25th July 2021

Participants are expected to book a minimum of two weeks.

Location

Strata Florida Abbey, Ponthrydfendigaid, Ceredigion, Wales, SY25 6ES.

Course overview

Led by Strata Florida Trust’s fully qualified and experienced staff, the field season will focus on excavating in the yard of Mynachlog Fawr farm and doing wider landscape surveys and ‘ground-truthing’. The farm was built over the remains of other structures, some of which go back to the early years of the Abbey’s foundation in the Middle Ages – and perhaps even earlier. In addition to field-based learning, the Strata Florida Trust will provide field trips to local sites and monuments and talks from experts on local history and archaeology.

Participants will complete an Archaeology Skills Passport which lists various archaeological excavation and recording techniques and breaks them down into individual tasks and activities. The Passport is recognised by many archaeological employers as proof of experience and competence and helps trainees track their mastery of core techniques and more complex skills.

For those who already have fieldwork experience, the Passport enables existing skills to be built upon in a comprehensive manner. The Strata Florida Trust hopes in future years to be able to introduce additional qualifications, such as university credit and NVQs.

How to apply

Full details of the field school, including timetable, fees, accommodation and FAQs are available through Strata Florida Trust’s comprehensive brochure and can be downloaded from their website stratafloridatrust.org/join-the-dig. People can register for a place via the website. Both the brochure and website are bilingual - in Welsh and English.