AOC Archaeology Group

14/09/2026

Archaeology has always had stories to tell.

We tell stories of discovery...

Of people...

Of places...

Of the evidence beneath our feet, and what it can tell us about the world around us.

We’re finding a new way to tell them.

AOCTV

01.10.2026

14/09/2026

13/09/2026

We're back for more than "Self Care September". Instead we're pushing a bit further as part of this campaign because it's also , serving as a powerful catalyst for awareness, prevention, and connection.

We understand that this is a potentially triggering and delicate subject.

But your advocacy matters.

Silence doesn’t save lives – conversation does.

It is important to read up on the warning signs, listening nonjudgmentally, and it is highly encouraged to talk to a mental health professional or crisis resource.

Something as small as checking in with someone and giving the space to talk freely can make a massive difference.

The Samaritans UK helpline 116 123 provides free, confidential, 24/7 support by call or text.

Here are some easy and accessible additional resources which offer professional help:

For helplines in Scotland, visit ‘NHS inform – surviving suicidal thoughts’
For helplines across the UK, visit ‘NHS - help for suicidal thoughts’
For information on mental health and support, visit ‘Mind UK’

We are glad you are here.

12/09/2026

It's been a while, but we're back for some Site Stories this Saturday!

Today, we're taking a look at training, which is sometimes not desk-based. In June some of our London Geoarch team (Alex Allardice, Natalie Hamilton) and Inverness FW team (Carter Nicol, Noah DiStefano) were out on some lovely upland peat bogs doing some in person and hands-on training on peat coring / sampling delivered by Paula Milburn from our Edinburgh PX team. Some things are worth the walk...

09/09/2026

Self-care isn’t just for September at AOC.

Across our sites and offices, we want AOC to be a place where people can do great work, enjoy the people they work with and look after themselves along the way, both mentally and physically.

Sometimes, that can be as simple as creating a little space for fun.

We’re rather fond of a friendly internal competition, and this one brought together two things: supporting our teams during the World Cup and putting our photography skills to the test.

The result? A brilliant collection of images, a bit of friendly rivalry and another excuse to connect with colleagues beyond the day-to-day.

Looking after ourselves at work can mean many things. Sometimes it’s support, sometimes it’s slowing down, and sometimes it’s simply finding reasons to laugh, connect and get involved.

07/09/2026

This September, we’re putting self-care on the agenda.

From busy sites to busy offices, looking after ourselves matters. And yes, we take it seriously.

Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing practical tips, small reminders and simple ways to make wellbeing part of the working day.

Follow along for .

08/08/2026

With thanks to the help from all our participants, we’re wrapping up our Uncovering the Tweed excavations at Sprouston this week.

We’ve spent the last four weeks working to untangle the crop mark and survey evidence for this exciting multi-period site. The excavations have revealed evidence for early farming communities along with a series of large ditches and later prehistoric fence lines surrounding a terrace overlooking the River Tweed.

We’ve also been uncovering evidence of an early medieval hall nearby which gives us a fascinating insight into the scale of the early medieval town.

Over the course of the project we’ve engaged and provided training to over 70 individual participants including young people, locals, and the wider archaeological community. We’ll now take our data and samples away for further analysis - if you’re interested to hear on our post-excavation workshops and other events then sign up to our mailing list by emailing [email protected]

This project is funded by Historic Environment Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and Fallago Environment Fund.

destinationtweeduk

05/08/2026

In Trench 1 at Sprouston, we have identified two separate ends of the enclosure, divided by a narrow strip of untouched gravel. Later, somebody returned and cut another shallower ditch over the top.

So why was the gap left there originally? Was it an intentional way into the enclosure? Was the ditch abandoned before it was finished? Or did the people using the site decide to alter their plans?

In Trench 2, we’re targeting a much wider break in the enclosure. This one may have formed a more formal entrance, and we’re now investigating the nearby features for clues about how people moved into, out of and around the site.

Meanwhile, inside the enclosure, Trench 3 has revealed the remains of a building. Deposits within it contain worked stone tools, animal bone and charcoal, valuable evidence that could help us establish when the building was occupied and what people were doing there.

The story of Sprouston is beginning to take shape!

This project is funded by Historic Environment Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and Fallago Environment Fund.

01/08/2026

At Sprouston, the team have done a great job identifying two palisades which run along the internal side of our enclosure ditch. These would have been long trenches which posts were then set in to form a fence or large timber wall. Since they follow the line of the ditch, it seems likely this would have been visible during their construction. Through careful recording, we can also try to identify the size and spacing between the posts. Radiocarbon dating should help to narrow down exactly when these date to and how they relate to the ditch.

We’ve also had a great open day today giving tours of the site to members of the local community. Thanks to everyone who’s come out despite the unpredictable weather!

This project is funded by Historic Environment Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and Fallago Environment Fund.

destinationtweeduk

31/07/2026