Battle of Worcester

This is a chance for people with an interest in archaeology to get "hands-on" in a real investigation into Worcester's past.

For six weeks, starting on June 21st, archaeology experts will be leading a training excavation in the grounds of The Commandery - a former monastic hospital and Royalist Civil War HQ.

The work follows a survey carried out by the Time Team TV programme, and a small set of test trenches have already been dug.

Now the Museum plans a more extensive investigation which they hope will uncover relics of the centuries-old building’s history.

The City's Archaeologist, James Dinn, says volunteers will be taught how to dig and what to look for.

“We’re not just talking muscle - we'll show people how to dig, how to record what they find, what the artefacts are, and how to tell visitors all about it.

“The success of programmes like ‘Time Team’ and ‘Meet the Ancestors’ are turning TV archaeology into the new cookery, and we’re constantly being asked how people can get to work on an excavation. 

"We’re looking for volunteers who are fit enough for perhaps strenuous digging and are free to spend at least 5 days on site – though this can be anytime over the six weeks of the excavation”

_{The search for the missing hall}

According to the archaeologists, this summer’s excavation is set to concentrate on the site of mediaeval hospital buildings in the gardens at the northern end of the site.

The Commandery in Worcester

This area was electronically scanned by two of Tony Robinson’s Time Team ‘geofizz’ squad Dan Shiel and James Adcock in April.

Now, the archaeologists are assessing the initial results for clues to the location of the aisled ‘infirmary hall’ probably dating to the first establishment of the Commandery around 1200, and they’re hoping the dig will reveal more evidence of the original hospital’s largest structure. 

_{Take a look at our great panoramic pictures of The Commandery by clicking on the links at the top right hand side of this page.}