New members experiences

Lincoln Archaeology group has over 100 members. They include "old hands", who have years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to share. There are students, young and old, including several LAG members who have chosen to go back into full-time education after joining the group. We also have a number of honorary members, who work in the field and who have specialist knowledge and expertise to share.

We hope that new members will find us a friendly group

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Josie - My first six months as a member of Lincoln Archeology Group

"I joined LAG earlier this year in May. I had met Avril, the chairperson, at a craft fair, and she told me all about the group. I was instantly transported back to memories of a very young me, digging in my childhood garden and being fascinated by broken pottery ‘finds’. Avril was so encouraging and reassured me that it was okay to not have any prior archeological knowledge. This was good to hear as watching Digging for Britain and visiting museums was all I have done since my childhood garden digs but there was always an interest there, waiting to be rediscovered.

"So, back in May, I joined my first LAG session, and instantly felt welcomed. I joined in with the ‘pot washing’, with lots of guidance on how to correctly clean finds from previous digs. There is a lot of washing to be done, not just ceramic pieces, sometimes animal bone or glass, sometimes human bones. It is always interesting, not least because there are great conversations while we do this. There is such a mix of interests and expertise.

"I have learned so much already from the more experienced LAG members, from the university staff that I have met so far, from the students and from the talks that I have been able to attend. This includes learning about the conventions of drawing/illustrating finds, a fascinating session on identifying glass, a thought-provoking lecture on Space Archaeology, and an informative session on all of the things we can learn from old nails!

"Over the course of the year, we have started to work on a longer-term project linked to Stow Minster (please see further information on the website). I look forward to learning new skills as this progresses: in research, field-walking, digging test pits, working with the local community, using scanning equipment, and recording finds. It’s all very exciting - I feel more connected to history and to the very young me."

All of this from a chance meeting at a craft fair!

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Rebekah - Inspired by a visit to the South Common Community Dig 2025

Rebekah visited the South Common dig organised by the Local Landscapes and Hidden Histories Project in July 2025. This was the excavation of the historic Malandry Leper Hospital site believed to have been built around the same time as Lincoln Cathedral.

"I saw the South Common dig and that got me interested in looking for a group which is when I found Lincoln Archaeology Group.  I got in touch, went to my first meeting and everyone was soo friendly. It was at this group I realised archaeology has so many areas of interest, for example history, geography, pottery, bones and glass to mention a few. 

I have been amazed at how many opportunities I have been able to be a part of. For example, in the second week I was there, I was able to attend a talk about the Lincoln Archaeological Database and how to access it.

"I'm looking forward to joining in with LAG's projects - no experience needed. If anyone like me is looking for a new hobby, this group has so many interesting strands there really is something for everyone."

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