The ongoing community excavation and exhibition project of Carlisle’s Roman Bathhouse, Uncovering Roman Carlisle (URC), has won three prestigious national awards.
URC won awards from the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and the Society for Museum Archaeology last week. URC was nominated by the Council for British Archaeology, Archaeological Achievement Awards in two categories, winning both. The ceremony took place last Friday (24 November) in the De Grey Rooms in York.
The winning awards were:
- Public Dissemination or Presentation (sponsored by the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland). With another Hadrian’s Wall project Highly commended: WallCAP - Hadrian’s Wall Community Archaeology Project.
- Learning, Training, and Skills (sponsored by Archaeological Management Solutions - AMS).
Additionally, URC has won the Society for Museum Archaeology Engagement Project of the Year award. With the project's many positive community outcomes recognised by a national award. One judge commented that: “This project clearly demonstrates the benefits of engaging volunteers with archaeological excavation and museum based post-ex. It is a clear model for how to utilise such archaeological and museum resources to carefully engage with the local, and often hard to reach, communities, and instil elements of pride in local heritage.”
The Uncovering Roman Carlisle is an ongoing programme of community archaeological investigation, exhibitions, and engagement exploring Carlisle’s Roman remains.
The project is delivered by a partnership of Cumberland Council, Carlisle Cricket Club, Tullie, and Wardell Armstrong Archaeology.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“Well done to all those involved in this ground-breaking project. In addition to unearthing some internationally significant finds, the community initiative has provided substantial benefits for the volunteers and partners involved. It’s great that the project has yet again been recognised by their national governing organisations.”
Frank Giecco Technical Director at Wardell Armstrong added:
“We've been so fortunate for Uncovering Roman Carlisle just to be nominated in two categories, Public Dissemination or Presentation and Learning, Training and Skills and hadn’t expected such a great result. People come to support the project rain and shine, but these awards are a recognition of all the hard work of everyone involved who has so kindly given their time, expertise, and experience. As ever thank you to everyone who has made and keeps making URC happen and such a great project.
“Thank you to all the project partners, the Cricket Club, Tullie, Wardell Armstrong, and Cumberland Council. We have been able to make so many opportunities for people to get involved. And it’s great that the Digging Deeper Exhibition at Tullie is extended for more people to see some of the amazing things we’ve found.”
Anna Smalley, Head of Collections and Engagement said;
“We’re so proud that Uncovering Roman Carlisle is getting the recognition it deserves at a national level - it's been a project that has had so many impacts across the community in terms of supporting wellbeing, skills development and fostering a real sense of pride in Carlisle's history. Both the exhibition and tour in 2022 at Tullie and the follow up show - Digging Deeper - have been incredibly popular with our visitors and we're excited to continue being part of this fantastic project as it progresses."
Meanwhile, for those wanting to see some of the significant finds, at Tullie, the Digging Deeping: Uncovering Roman Carlisle, exhibition has been extended to run until December 23. It showcases the “once in a lifetime” recent internationally significant finds from Carlisle’s Roman Bathhouse - including the two huge carved Roman heads, a large collection of carved Roman gemstones, and other finds illustrating Roman life in Carlisle.
The summer phase of excavations in 2023 involved 373 volunteers, with more than 2,000 significant finds, and more than 1,678 volunteer days given by volunteers since 2021.
More than 6,000 people visited the site, including 625 trips from local schools so far in 2023. This high-profile dig, which featured in Channel 4/National Geographic’s Lost Treasures of Rome and is set to be part of the programme Digging for Britain, has captured attention worldwide with the number and quality of discoveries.
Keep in touch with project updates through The Diggers: Archaeology in Carlisle Facebook Page