Placements

Placements are available to previous trainees on any of the earlier Archaeology Live! training excavations, or to archaeology students with practical experience of single context recording who want to pursue a career in the profession.

Tom explaining single context recording. Summer 2014.

There is often confusion as to what a ‘placement‘ is and people will sometimes use the term ‘placement‘ when they mean ‘trainee‘. Within the Archaeology Live! project a ‘placement‘ is somebody who has already been trained in archaeological excavation and has appropriate archaeological experience.

The placements will be assisting the trainers on site and helping out wherever else is necessary. This is a very good opportunity for those who feel they would like more experience in how an archaeological site works.

Matt takes trainees through the levelling process using a dumpy level. Summer 2016.

Becky (right) is on hand to help with trainees excavating a grave. Summer 2015.

Over 100 previous placements have found professional work because of the reference they have received from the excavation. Below are a few testimonies from current and past placements discussing what they gained from their time at Archaeology Live!

“It has made me more confident as a person through working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and being a placement with Arch Live has allowed me to gain a higher understanding of fieldwork on urban sites. It has been helpful at university as I know how commercial sites are worked and the standard to which I will have to achieve.” – Ellen Denison, student at the University of Winchester.

Katie (centre) and Ellen (right) help a trainee, Rosemin, plan a feature. Summer 2015.

“I applied for the placement on Arch Live after 5 weeks over three seasons as a trainee, when I felt comfortable in my own ability to assist the staff. I’d gained all I could from being a trainee – the placement became more relevant as I started looking for professional work for when I finished my degree. Many hiring units/companies ask for a few months minimum practical experience. I did 8 weeks in 2015 and 10 weeks in 2016, and was hired by YAT in September 2016 mostly on the grounds of the placement I had done with them” – Katie Smith, Site Assistant, York Archaeological Trust.

Gary explaining how to create an accurate plan drawing. Summer 2015.

To apply for a Placement position on the excavation, a CV with an accompanying covering letter must be sent (e-mail is acceptable) to the contact address below. Make sure that you say why you want to be a placement and why you would be good for the project within your cover letter. The selection process may include an informal telephone interview.
For more information contact:

E-mail: trainingdig@yorkat.co.uk