Public Participation on Archaeological Excavations – A Case Study

Abstract

For many, becoming an archaeologist is a childhood dream. However, when faced with choosing a career, many people opt for a “more secure” job. Thanks to numerous opportunities for volunteers it is possible to participate in excavations in Great Britain even without a degree in archaeology. In other countries, for example in Germany and Austria, there are currently comparatively fewer possibilities to actively participate in archaeology. Experience with “excavation tourists” from these countries gained as part of Bangor University's excavations at Meillionydd (North-West Wales, United Kingdom) shows that public participation is in demand. Some people are even willing to pay for the opportunity. To better understand the motivation and expectations of volunteers and tourists a survey was conducted in April 2015. The results will be discussed in this paper.