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The Big Dig Archaeology Weekend


  • The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre 110 Cumberland Street Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia (map)

Ever wondered what it’s like to be an archaeologist?

Following the success of previous Big Dig Archaeology Weekends (2011-2018) Sydney Harbour YHA, in collaboration with Place Management NSW, The Rocks Precinct, will again run this exciting hands-on program for National Archaeology Week 2019. The program is run as a residential weekend experience, giving you the chance to learn more about archaeology by immersing yourself in excavation and conservation work on The Big Dig site, including cleaning and sorting the many artefacts you will uncover.

The program costs between $340 per person, in a 4 bed multi-share en-suite room, to $640 in a private en-suite premier room. The cost includes:

  • Two days of on-site excavation and conservation work, along with artefacts cleaning and sorting

  • Two nights of accommodation at Sydney Harbour YHA, directly above The Big Dig site

  • All meals – breakfasts, morning teas, hot lunches, afternoon teas, dinners (Friday evening at the hostel, Saturday evening at The Australian Hotel)

  • Talk about archaeology and an archaeology inspired movie, after the Friday evening dinner

  • Tours of The Rocks Discovery Museum, Susannah Place Museum and an evening exploring the first weekend of ‘Vivid’, stopping for ice-cream along the way.

This weekend program is suitable for anyone 18 years and older and is a general public interest coursedesigned to appeal to anyone who is curious about archaeology, particularly Australian Historical Archaeology.

Places are strictly limited and are offered through competition only. Applications to take part close on Monday 29th April 2018 and successful applicants will be sent an invitation to register by Friday 3rd May 2018. Conditions apply.

For more information please visit www.thebigdig.com.au or email thebigdig@yha.com.au.

Contact: Alison Frappell, Education and Interpretation Officer, Sydney Harbour YHA

Date: 6pm Friday 24 May to 5pm Sunday 26 May

Location: The Big Dig Centre

Earlier Event: May 24
Trivia Night
Later Event: May 24
Meet the Archaeologists Night