The majority of excavations take place in the summer or early autumn. An increasing number of projects run training courses or field schools as part of their excavation activities. The fees charged may be substantial but cover the cost of tuition, lectures, study tours, food, accommodation etc. Volunteers should take out their own personal insurance against illness and injury. Anti-tetanus vaccination is strongly advised and is obligatory on many sites.
Most archaeological fieldwork involves physical labour and working as part of a team.
Volunteers should be fit, healthy and prepared to muck in and pull their weight. A knowledge of languages is an obvious advantage. Archaeology Abroad is unable to undertake the inspection of sites, but endeavours to publish information only from reputable professional archaeologists and institutions. Although we aim to give as much detail as possible, we can only publish the information received. However exciting the prospect of digging abroad, it is important to be well prepared.