Have you ever wondered how archaeologists map their finds and sites? The answer is archaeological surveying, an important aspect of archaeological fieldwork that records the footprint, profile, and location of a site, as well as the location of any important artefacts discovered.

Come along and have a go with this beginner-friendly survey with guidance from professional archaeologists. We will be recording what we can see from walking over the landscape and looking closely at any features that remain from past lead mines in the Westgate area.

No prior experience is necessary, and all training and equipment will be provided. Suitable for ages 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult).

Surveys dates are:
Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 September
Wednesday 30 September to Sunday 4 October
Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 11 October
The surveys run from 10am to 4pm each day. You can book for as many days as you wish to take part. Places are limited.

What to expect
You will spend the day outdoors learning how to survey and record archaeological sites, contributing to our understanding of how the mine sites changed throughout history. While the work is not physically demanding, you will be on your feet and outdoors walking on uneven ground all day. There may be a short walk to the site and there will not be access to a toilet during the day. You are welcome to book onto multiple days if you wish.

What happens if the weather is bad?
In the event of light rain or wind, we will be continuing as long as it is safe to do so. You will be advised if you will need waterproofs etc. in your reminder email (sent two to three days before). If the weather is bad enough that it is not safe to continue, some days may be cancelled or finish early. Any updates will be communicated to you by 8am on the day of the survey at the latest, but we will aim to give you as much notice as possible.

What you would need to bring
Specific instructions will be sent to the email address you booked with two to three days days before the date that you are booked on. Usual gear would include waterproof clothing, warm layers, sturdy walking boots, a packed lunch, drink, any other snacks you might want for the day, and your enthusiasm. All other equipment will be provided for you.

Why the survey is important
There is a lot known about lead mining sites across the North Pennines, but there is still plenty to learn. This survey will target sites on Middlehope Moor where we suspect there is evidence of mining having taken place earlier than the height of the industry (before the mid 19th century). We will closely examine the different features that make up a lead mine to understand how they interact with one another. For example, if we can see that one feature has been built on top of another, it shows us that the feature on top has to have been built later than the one beneath.

Please email us if you have any accessibility requirements. Book via Ticketsource using the link below