Roman Fort on Tyne

  England

• North East England: 
South Shields

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Inquire for specific dates.

Description: Research Mission
Uncover the remains of a major Roman garrison at the edge of the North Sea.

Situation Report
South Shields, England - Two millennia ago, the Roman Empire stretched all the way to northern England, once considered the edge of civilization. At Arbeia, the site of a Roman garrison and harbor a stone's throw from Hadrian's Wall, a local settlement became part of one of the largest and busiest supply depots in the northern empire. How did the two cultures adapt to each other and coexist? The answer has corollaries throughout history and lessons for today. You can help a seasoned team of archaeologists, led by Paul Bidwell, Dr. Nick Hodgson, and Graeme Stobbs (all with the Tyne and Wear Museums), excavate Arbeia and its environs to show how Romans changed the face of Europe and, in turn, were changed by it.

Meals and Accommodations
Your team will retreat to local guest- houses a five-minute walk from your work site in this pleasant, coastal resort town. The guesthouses provide shared bedrooms, hot showers, and easy access to parks, beaches, pubs, and restaurants. You'll be fortified by picnics of sandwiches and fruit at the excavation site, with the North Sea at your feet, and enjoy full English or continental breakfasts and hearty dinners at the guesthouse. You may even experience the treat of a traditional English Sunday lunch.

Highlights: On the Expedition
This extraordinary excavation site is in a quiet residential area with views over the River Tyne and the North Sea. Ten years of Earthwatch teams have mapped more than 1,000 square meters of pre-Roman and Roman settlement here, turning up jewelry, armor, game boards, and ceramics. You will work in groups of four or five, rotating among many available tasks. You are sure to become proficient at a wide range of activities, including stratigraphic excavation using a trowel and brush, recording techniques, site surveying, and sampling, cleaning, and processing finds. When you're not digging deeper into social change through the Roman era, the most impressive stretches of Hadrian's Wall, and the historic cities of York, Durham, and Edinburgh are all within easy visiting distance.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,646

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18 - 90

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to England Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 3-20

Scholarships are Available. Fellowships may be available, mainly for high-school students and educators. Visit our website for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971