Uncovering Roman Carlisle: Autumn Big Dig 2024

These are the words from just one of the hundreds of volunteers who have taken part in Uncovering Roman Carlisle (URC). URC is an ongoing programme of community archaeology, engagement, and exhibitions, exploring the internationally significant Carlisle Roman Bathhouse on Hadrian’s Wall.

Our aim with URC is for a unique, free to access, urban excavation that can engage new audiences with heritage, enhance participants wellbeing and skills, and improves Carlisle for residents and visitors.

Read the story of how Carlisle’s Roman Bathhouse was discovered, and about the Uncovering Roman Carlisle Project here.

The project has just concluded the Summer 2024 season from 11th of May to 15th of June 2024, and a Mini Dig which took place in August 2024. The award-winning Uncovering Roman Carlisle (URC) will now return to Carlisle’s Roman Bathhouse for an Autumn Big Dig from 21st September to the19th October 2024 while our important post excavation work continues behind the scenes.

In September we return with the kind permission of Carlisle Cricket Club, to further enhance our knowledge of the site.

At the end of the Summer 2024 excavation we found some evidence of funerary activity (a cremation burial and possible mausoleum structure) so we want to better understand what was happening in this area, south of the Roman Road we excavated in 2021 and 2023/4.

We will also continue our excavation from the summer mini dig in 2024 to help us understand more about the complex series of floor surfaces we have ancountered in the north eastern corner of the site.

We will have 3 areas open this season (CRI-L):

• Area 1: Work will carry on the northern terrace to investigate the sequence of the 6 cobble floors we revealed during the mini dig. For the first time ever on this project we didn't need to backfill this area as we knew we would be back shortly!

• Area 2: To investigate the western corner of the Severan building and possible portico area, and to understand the rebuild of the Severan drain and earlier drain connection from the north.

• Area 3: To investigate the sequence of activity to the south of the road. So far we have discovered a possible mausoleum/shrine and associated cemetery; how long is it in use and how does it fit in with the timber buildings we recorded during CRI-H? So many questions! It should be an extremely interesting season!

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.

The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit

The site of the Carlisle Cricket Club occupies what was once an extremely important and well-defended location within the frontier system of Roman Britain and most northern city in the whole Roman empire. It lies on the north bank of the river Eden close to a bridge that connected two Roman forts.

The fort on the south side of the river, Luguvalium, was excavated between 1997 and 2001 and found to have been established under the Flavians. Roman control of this strategic river crossing was consolidated with the establishment of Uxelodunum, known today as Stanwix fort, on the high ground north of the river when the turf stretch of Hadrian’s Wall was built in the early 2nd century AD. Making this the most heavily defended location on Hadrian’s wall. The fort at Stanwix was eventually expanded to become the largest of all the forts on Hadrian’s Wall, eventually housing a 1000 strong cavalry regiment called the Ala Petriana.

This small piece of land, measuring just a few hectares, was protected on its northern side by Hadrian’s Wall and on all other sides by a sharp meander in the river Eden. It is very likely that this area was occupied by an extra-mural settlement associated with Stanwix fort, the community which lived in the settlement being closely associated with the Roman military and close to where Hadrian’s Wall crossed the river Eden at its confluence with the river Caldew.

We will try incredibly hard to meet all the needs of our diggers. We want everyone to have a blast learning about archaeology and digging into the real deal with us! Just know, while you're having fun and learning, you're also helping out real archaeologists with their research. Archaeology can be tough! Weather, different schedules, and tricky conditions underfoot are all part of archaeology adventures. Remember, these challenges make digging super memorable!

Cancellations:

If you are unable to make a day you have booked then please make sure you contact us in advance. We realise life sometimes gets in the way, but as much notice as you can offer will allow someone else on our extensive waiting lists an opportunity to get involved.

If you do not contact us to let us know you cannot attend, and you do not show up - we will cancel any and all future bookings you have made for the dig season. This may affect you and others you have booked on behalf of.

If the weather is bad (let's face it we are based in Cumbria) usually activity on site will continue unless our team believes it has become unsafe to continue. If that is the case we will do our best to reschedule your volunteering slot, if possible.

Children aged 16-18 accompanied by an adult guardian, who has also booked a place are welcome to take part. Children under 16 unfortunately cannot take part without express discussion with your volunteer leads.

Keep in mind, we will ask you to leave site (remove anyone) who:

• Doesn't follow instructions about archaeology processes, safety, or how to treat others on site.
• Doesn't follow instructions about what can be shared about the digs.
• Breaks any of our Health and Safety, Social Media, or Dignity on Site policies explained during orientation.
• Tries to mess with our intellectual property, spreads false info, or misuses our archaeological data.

It is your responsibility and obligation to ensure that you have adequate insurance covering personal belongings and health. It is essential to confirm with your insurance provider that you are permitted to work in a voluntary capacity under their terms and conditions.For information about this event, please contact the volunteer event organisers via the website contact page.

Host or Publisher Chloe Brownlee-Chapman