Derby Museums

We Dig Derventio! An Archaeology Training Project at Darley Playing Fields, Derby

Join us for an exciting roman archaeological excavation in Derby this August!

What Is Derventio?

Derventio was a Roman fort built next to the River Derwent, in what is now the north-east part of Derby. It was about one kilometre from where the city centre is today. Over time, archaeologists have found many exciting remains from the Roman period nearby. These include parts of the old Roman town, an underfloor heating system called a hypocaust at Parker’s Piece, and even signs of Roman industry and burials near Derby Racecourse. Across the river is Strutt’s Park, where an earlier fort stood between AD 49 and 80. Later, the Romans built Derventio and surrounded it with an earthwork enclosure, then added a stone wall. The site grew and changed over the next few hundred years.

What Have We Already Found?

In 2013 and 2014, archaeologists dug small test trenches near the fort. They found a well-built Roman road just below the surface of the field. On either side of the road were remains of buildings and workshops. Pieces of iron working equipment and grindstones showed that people here were busy making things and working with metal. Some of the buildings had stone walls and even metalled floors. Rubble from collapsed walls still lay scattered across the area. There were also signs of farming, like small ditches that might have marked out fields. All of this shows that a lively Roman settlement once stood just beyond the fort.

What’s the Plan Now?

We’re returning to this area to learn more – We are excavating one trench measuring up to 75²m over the projected remains of a Romano-British civilian town or Vicus that grew up alongside the soldiers’ fort. This new excavation focuses on land just east of the fort, close to Ryknield Street. We hope to discover who lived here, what they did for work, and how the town developed over time. Each new find helps us better understand everyday life in Roman Derby!

The Volunteer Role:

As a Public Outreach volunteer, you are going to be:

• Engaging with the public and answering their questions regarding the history of the site and the excavations
• Showing members of the public images of previous works on site
• Showing members of the public artefacts as they are removed from the ground.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY – as a thank you for volunteering as a trench guide, we will offer you the opportunity to join us in the dig for free! For each half day you volunteer as a trench guide, you'll be able to sign up to a half session excavating.

Training you'll receive to help with the role:

• You'll get a handy trench guide information pack prior to the start of the dig to provide you with information on archaeological methods, key terms, tools and the project’s aims.
• Daily new updates during a morning briefing, making sure you are fully abreast of the excavation findings.
• information on a selection of found artefacts that can be shown to the public, including basic ID for each of them, and information on the significance of them.
• A helpful team with further information nearby if difficult questions are asked

Session information and time ask: 

• The digging takes place between 3rd-28th August (weekdays). You are welcome to join us for one or more sessions during this period- all shifts will be available on Better Impact. 
• The site day runs from 9.30am to 4pm with 45 minutes for lunch from 12.30 to 1.15pm. We will work in two shifts – 9.30-12.30 and 1.15-4pm. No afternoon shifts on Thursdays. You can book on the morning shift, afternoon shift, or all day. It can be hard work so think carefully before you book on for the whole day.
• When you arrive on site, you will get a short briefing as to what has been discovered the previous day so that you have the most up to date information
• Deturfing and set up will take place on the 30th and 31st of July. If you are available to help with set up, please let us know!