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The University of Bristol's annual archaeological excavations at Berkeley Castle aims to build up a detailed picture of the history and archaeology of the castle and the associated settlement of Berkeley.

It gives first, second and third year students from Bristol's Department of Archaeology and Anthropology the chance to put into practice what they have learned during their time in the classroom. For many first year students, this is the first time they have ever been on an archaeological excavation and provides a valuable opportunity for them to get to grips with what practical archaeology is really about. 

 Dr Stuart Prior, Reader in Archaeological Practice and one of the site directors, says: "Our current focus can best be described as ‘Minster, Manor & Town’. By combining the results of detailed archaeological fieldwork with information contained in the castle’s impressive collection of 20,000 historical documents, the project will add greatly to our knowledge and understanding of the early medieval period and the subsequent changes in landscape and society that occurred with the coming of the Normans and the erection of a castle on the former minster site.

The 2019 excavation will run from the 20th of May to the 17th of June.

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