Period 5

Here we will post regular updates on the current excavations and post excavation taking place on site here at Magna Roman Fort during Period 5 of the 2026 excavation season.

You will hear from our archaeologists and volunteers as they share news and thoughts about what is being uncovered, the challenges and the highlights of the excavation season.

1st June

As our new team of volunteers get settled in onsite tackling the southern ditch and northern half of the praetorium, we have some lovely finds from the end of last period to cheer us up through the very damp weather. 

First is the end of a hairpin found in the antiquarian backfill. Although not complete what makes this a particularly interesting example is it appears to be made of tusk rather than the typical bone we have found previously in this area. 

Our second find is a fragment of stamped ceramic building material (CBM), also from within the commanding officer’s house. The letters ‘COH’ can clearly be seen, telling us the tile was produced by the military.

Sadly, the rest of the stamp is broken off, meaning we can’t say which cohort was making these but I’m hopeful we might find the other half this week! Rachel

3rd June – Celebrating Volunteer Week

It’s Marta writing to you, the Deputy Director of Excavations for the Vindolanda Trust. Although I am very fond of the Vindolanda Excavations, I never miss an opportunity to spend some time at Magna Roman fort, admiring the progress the team has made. 

I am always amazed at the incredible community that the Magna project has managed to create. From excavation to post-excavation and environmental processing, to guiding and activities, there is something special about offering your time and skills at the forefront of Roman excavations on the Wall.  The cast of characters is varied- see if you can identify yourself!

The mud monster: perennially engulfed in waterproofs, can expertly estimate the arrival time of a storm from a combination of air pressure, wind direction and smell of grass. Their trowel is, however, spotless.

The Trustee: while usually an indoor species, a trustee or former trustee is a volunteer of many competences. They generously gift their time and their skills to the organisation and are not averse to a wheelbarrow where needed. Their strongest asset is their mind, but they like to also flex their muscles.

The collector: This volunteer has decided that they will take part in every season of the Magna project, in any capacity, come rain or shine. They are profoundly loyal to the cause, and bring gifts of cake, waterproof, knitted goods…

The Cicero: Weather inside in post- ex, or outside with a guided tour, or even at the trenches’ edge, this volunteer is a fountain of knowledge. Their special skill is translating complex information into useful tid-bits for all ages. The public engagement hero!

The cheerleader: Never spotted without a smile, this is the ‘personality hire’ of volunteering. Everyone wants to be in their trench, and those who are not like to excavate or wash finds in their general directions. This species can also manifest itself as ‘The podcast’: they always have a story, it’s never twice the same one, and it’s always quite funny.

The lone wolf: This pack of one joins the programme to enjoy some peace and quiet. It thrives in remote trenches that need a deep clean, or in rainy days in the archaeological centre with earphones, a bowl of muddy water and a pile of neatly labelled finds.

The local hero: This team members trundles up from just down the road, knows a farmer who can fix anything and has all the tips for the best pub. Because they are only a few steps away from home, the local hero pays frequent visits, just to keep up with things.

Whatever type they might be, and we certainly have missed some, volunteers are at the heart of what we do at the Vindolanda Trust, and particularly at the core of our Magna Project. Volunteers do not only get involved in hands-on activities-  we also rely on them as our research partners too. For example, we recently completed some work on the role volunteers play in communicating the impact of climate change on heritage. You can download the toolkit we created here: Climate Change and Volunteering: A Toolkit – Roman Army Museum

In this national volunteer week, we wanted to celebrate everyone who has volunteered for the Magna project, and for the Vindolanda Trust in general. Your time, skills and company are appreciated by all the team.- Marta