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UCL Institute of Archaeology students begin ASE placement year

16 October 2024

A record five(!) students have joined Archaeology South-East this term, as part of their BA Archaeology with Placement Year degree. What have they been up to so far at the IoA, and what are they excited for on their placements?

Cut outs of five people smiling and doing archaeology placed against a dark teal background. Text reads Students begin ASE placement year (2024-25!)

Welcome Luka, Charlotte, Dorothy, Jacob and Wendi!

What archaeological experience do you have?

All of the students have been at archaeological field schools run in collaboration between Archaeology South-East and the UCL Institute of Archaeology. Wendi has been involved in the excavation of a WWII air raid shelter in Greenwich. Dorothy, Charlotte, Jacob and Luka have all been out at site at Norton, digging Roman archaeology. Charlotte says, “My first dig was in Norton at the start of last summer where I had the privilege of excavating a Roman horse skeleton”.

As well as other sites in the UK our students have been excavating much further afield. Wendi says “This summer I spent six weeks on the Greek island of Chios, three of which were involved in Survey fieldwalking and the other three weeks working on illustrations at the museum.” Hopefully their year of excavating in the South East of England will give them at least some comparable weather!

A woman crouches on the ground trowelling a pit with another archaeologist behind her.
A woman standing on a rocky cliff holding a record sheet smiling at the camera. A view of the ocean and coastline behind her.

Do you have a favourite period/ artefact type/ archaeological specialism?

The placement year at ASE aims to give students an excellent grounding in commercial archaeological fieldwork, as well as introducing them to loads of other processes, specialisms and careers in archaeology. Unsurprisingly our students are excited to try everything, but they’ve also come to us with really varied interests. Wendi particularly enjoys illustration and photography; Luka is keen to explore her interests in zooarchaeology, survey and public engagement; and Charlotte’s main interests are in the medieval and post-medieval period. But as she says, and the other students echo – “I’m happy to dig at any site!”.

Jacob is particularly interested in conflict archaeology, especially related to WWI and WWII. He says this is because “the impact of these two events on the present day cannot be understated and the archaeology relating to this period can be traced back to specific individuals, whose details and lives we know about – information that is somewhat unusual for archaeology.”

Dorothy has a strong interest in the integration of archaeological technologies such as digital survey, photogrammetry, 3D reconstruction and Archaeogaming. She says, “I’m fascinated by how these methods can enhance our understanding of archaeological sites and artefacts by creating detailed digital models, analysing landscapes, and visualizing ancient structures.”

Two women laughing in a big field. On the right, the professor explains to Luka (left) how to use geophysics equipment shaped like a white H, carried on a harness.
A woman in stands next to a trench on an open grassy field, holding a muddy trowel and a hand shovel. She is smiling up at the camera.

What are you looking forward to about your placement – and what do you hope to get out of it?

Fieldwork anticipation is high for our new students! Luka is keen to get back in the field, saying “I have missed long days on a site so cannot wait to be back out there!” Jacob is looking forward to the physicality of digging, and all are keen to get more experience in excavation. Dorothy is even hoping for a bit of a lifestyle change – “Getting up early and having active days outdoors should help me build better habits – and maybe make me a morning person (fingers crossed)!”.

A man kneels with thumbs up at the camera in front of the shallow trench he is digging.

Many hope to come away from their placement with a better understanding of their own interests and the potential career paths that archaeology can offer. Wendi wants to “come out with a plan for my future career, and a clearer goal when choosing my postgraduate course”.

Students also expressed particular excitement for their Taster Weeks. This intense fortnight sees our students get introductions to all the different finds specialisms ASE has in-house, from animal bone to pottery, and other office-based roles like illustration, photography, outreach and project management.

What’s next for our students?

After a few days induction in our Sussex office getting some essential training and familiarising themselves with ASE working practices, the students have headed out to site! We’ll be checking in with them as they progress throughout the year so stay tuned to find out what they’ve been up to.

Interested in doing a placement year at ASE?