DIG – An Archaeological Adventure

DIG – An Archaeological Adventure takes visitors back in time to discover the archaeological history of York. DIG is a hands-on archaeological adventure giving kids the chance to become trainee ‘diggers’ and discover the most exciting artefacts from 2000 years of York’s history. The attraction features four special in-door excavation pits, all based on real-life digs in the city. The excavation pits are filled with replica Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds. Children can grab a trowel and explore how people lived in these times.

DIG – An Archaeological Adventure has been developed by the creators of JORVIK Viking Centre.

History of DIG

DIG – An Archaeological Adventure is an educational resource owned by the York Archaeological Trust which aims to increase understanding of archaeology and related matters. The Attraction is located in St Saviour’s Church.

DIG – An Archaeological Adventure experience

Your experience starts in the Briefing Hut where you will learn about the world of archaeology and what you will be doing during your DIG adventure. Following your briefing, it’s time to visit the DIG pits and start uncovering the past. This is where the fun really starts. Each child is handed a trowel to dig in the synthetic (no mess soil) to discover artefacts from the four major periods of York’s fascinating history. An Archaeologist is on hand to assist and answer any questions.

Explore the World of Archaeology

Once you have unearthed the exciting discoveries that await you in the excavation pits an archaeologist is on hand to help you examine real archaeological finds. Look out for animal bones, pieces of Roman house tiles and even a Viking-age poo. Kids can get hands-on with history and actually touch finds from previous York Archaeological Trust digs. Artefacts include pottery, bone and even antlers. You will discover what these artefacts tell us about the lives of people who used them.

Looking Back at Hungate Exhibition

Investigate some of the diverse collection of artefacts discovered during the five-year excavation of Hungate in the city of York. Explore the stories of the people who lived there from Roman times through to the early 20th century. From Autumn 2006 to the end of 2011 a team from York Archaeological Trust investigated the archaeology of the Hungate area of York. What the archaeologists discovered was a rich and changing story, reflecting how people adapted the use of this low-lying parcel of land that sits within an elbow of the River Foss.

Looking Back at Hungate uses artefacts to tell the story of a changing city landscape over the last 2,000 years. View intricate and amazing Roman jewellery that had been placed in graves over 1,500 years ago. Find out how timbers from an Anglo-Saxon ship were remade into the cellar of a Viking-Age house. Explore how people lived in Hungate’s Victorian streets and houses, condemned as slum districts. Examine beautifully crafted pots depicting the faces of humans and images of animals from York’s medieval past.

Looking Back at Hungate is included in your standard DIG admission or is available to view as a stand-alone exhibit.

St. Saviour’s Church

The church of St. Saviour has a fascinating history that can still be explored today. The church has stood on this site since the 11th century. The present building dates from the 15th century, although some earlier stonework survives. During the Georgian and Victorian periods, St. Saviourgate was one of the most fashionable streets in York and St Saviour’s was a very popular place to worship. In 1845, the church was extended to accommodate its growing congregation. By 1901, the parish was in decline and the church bordered on one of the main slum districts of the city. St Saviour’s was eventually declared redundant in 1954, and the medieval glass and church fitments were dispersed.

A new lease of life

In 1975, St. Saviour’s Church was acquired by York Archaeological Trust. It was initially used for the storage of finds. In 1990 the Trust set up the Archaeological Resource Centre (ARC) to complement its existing York attraction, JORVIK Viking Centre. Over the following decade, thousands of people visited the Archaeological Resource Centre. In April 2006, DIG – An Archaeological Adventure was opened. The Attraction continues to showcase the history of York through the amazing archaeology discovered in the city.

Admission Prices and Offers

Purchase your tickets to DIG – An Archaeological Adventure from The Official Website. DIG is a proud member of Blue Peter’s Badge Attractions, any Blue Peter badge holder can gain free entry into JORVIK DIG when accompanied by a full paying adult.

DIG is one of the many attractions fantastic attractions in and around the city of York included with York Pass.

Learn More

The JORVIK Group Pastport

Exploring the history of a city like York can be an expensive day out or short break, luckily The JORVIK Group offer the Pastport. The Pastport admission pass enables you to visit five of the best city-centre attractions in York including Barley Hall, DIG, Henry VII Experience and Richard III Experience, throughout the year, for one discounted price. Pastport covers 2,000 Years of history, 5 York Attractions all for 1 Great Price.

The JORVIK Group Pastport

Exploring the history of a city like York can be an expensive day out or short break, luckily The JORVIK Group offer the Pastport. The Pastport admission pass enables you to visit five of the best city-centre attractions in York including Barley Hall, DIG – An Archaeological Adventure, Henry VII Experience and Richard III Experience, throughout the year, for one discounted price. Pastport covers 2,000 Years of history, 5 York Attractions all for 1 Great Price.

Travelling to DIG – An Archaeological Adventure

York City centre is encompassed by its ancient walls and is accessible on foot. DIG – An Archaeological Adventure is located in the St. Saviour’s Church on St. Saviourgate, right in the heart of the modern city of York. The attraction is well signposted.

Travelling by Train

DIG – An Archaeological Adventure is a 15-minute walk from York Railway Station and the route is well signposted. York Railway Station has great links to major cities across the UK. See the Raileasy website for details.

Travelling by Coach

If you would like to travel by coach we recommend that you try National Express.

Nearby Accommodation

There are lots of places to stay in and around the city of York. Find hotel accommodation at Hotels.com or Travelodge and Britannia Hotels are always a good option for budget hotel accommodation.

If you prefer self-catering, check out some of the lovely places to stay on the outskirts of the City of York on Snaptrip.

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