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Next generation of archaeologists to train on dig

Katy Prickett
BBC News, Cambridgeshire
Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge Two archaeologists on their knees scraping the earth in front of them using trowels. They are wearing hi-vis yellow waistcoats. Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
The project hopes to "retell the prehistory and history of a prominent site in the landscape", said archaeologist Dr Oscar Aldred

Archaeologists are to begin a five-year project to excavate the site of a nationally important Iron Age hillfort and analyse their finds.

The first dig will take place on the protected ancient monument at Wandlebury Country Park, just south of Cambridge, from 28 April to 9 May.

Students and staff from Cambridge University's archaeology department and the Cambridge Archaeological Unit will be taking part.

Dr Oscar Aldred, from the unit, said it was "a really exciting opportunity to train the next generation of archaeologists".

Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge A group of Cambridge University archaeologists and archaeology students in 2024. The men and women are standing in a group, looking at the camera and smiling. Behind them can be seen grass and trees. Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
It will also offer a long-term training project for the next generation of the university's archaeologists

An excavation by the Cambridge team at Wandlebury last year uncovered a later Bronze Age ditch, dating to between 1500 to 800BC, which was reused to support a wooden palisade during the Iron Age.

The five-year project hopes to reveal more about the history and prehistory of the hillfort, which is protected as a scheduled monument.

Trenches and test pits will be dug into the ground, following last year's geophysical surveys - techniques that use the properties of the soil to map archaeology below the ground.

Dr Aldred said: "Our particular focus this year is to prepare the ground to answer important archaeological questions by assessing the inside of the hillfort, how well-preserved it is, as well as begin to gain a better understanding of the possible hillfort entrance."

Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge An archaeologist sitting at a table and facing the viewer. Two children with their backs to the viewer are discussing finds with her. Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge
The last time archaeologists were working at Wandlebury, visitors loved finding out more about their finds, said its estate manager Allan Scott-Davies

Visitors to the country park, which is owned by the charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future, will be able to speak to the archaeologists as they work.

Wandlebury's estate manager, Allan Scott-Davies, said: "We run a popular Iron Age outdoor education programme for schools, so it would be great to share that knowledge with the children when they visit."

A public archaeology open day will be held on 3 May.

Cambridge Past, Present and Future A black and white aerial shot of Wandlebury Country Park. It shows trees circled around the former Iron Age fort, with the buildings of the former stable block towards the middle. Cambridge Past, Present and Future
The site is home to an Iron Age hillfort, as well as an 18th Century country estate, with a walled garden, orchard and ponds

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