Community Archaeology Specialist Training: Embedding Sustainable Skills and Building Volunteer Communities

Dr David Roberts developed a training model to equip archaeology volunteers with essential skills. This project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account. It was supported by partners including CAER Heritage and the Wiltshire Field Group, and is now ready to be rolled out at a national level.

Over 200,000 people in the UK participate annually in archaeology projects, improving wellbeing, skills, and social connection. A 2018 survey by the Council for British Archaeology identified finds identification as a key training need. Led by Cardiff University, this pilot tested a practical training model to strengthen skills, confidence, and collaboration among volunteers.

The project delivered intensive, two-day training workshops in Cardiff, Devizes, and Exeter. 87 volunteers from 17 archaeology groups took part, alongside wider engagement across Wales and south-west England.

Training focused on animal bone identification, Roman pottery, and digital data management, using hands-on learning and participants’ own material, supported by partners including CAER Heritage and Wiltshire Field Group.

IAA funding made it possible to pilot an in-depth training model using expert specialist trainers and extended workshop formats. It enabled robust evaluation of skills development, supported meaningful engagement with archaeology groups, and generated an evidence base to inform future funding and discussions about national scale-up with organisations such as the Council for British Archaeology.