DIG

What was it really like living in Viking times?

York Archaeological Trust, the same educational charity who developed the famous attraction JORVIK, have recently been awarded a £750,000 funding grant from the Millennium Commission to develop a new tourist attraction in the centre of York. The Archaeological Resource Centre at St Saviours Church in York will close in July 2005 and will reopen as Dig! in March 2006. JORVIK is currently in its 20th year and has recently welcomed the 14 Millionth visitor – York Archaeological Trust are confident that they can launch another innovative experience that will capture the public’s imagination as JORVIK does.

Nearly everyone believes that it is critical to educate our children about the past (98%, MORI1.), however the opportunity to learn about the science behind studying the past is rarely on offer at heritage sites. Dig! will be an important centre for learning. John Walker, Chief Executive of York Archaeological Trust, commented, “As an educational charity we are delighted to offer visitors the chance to use archaeological techniques and equipment not otherwise available to the public. This new venture will also show how important science and history are in our everyday lives.”

Dig! will provide a unique and exciting archaeological experience. St Saviours will be transformed into a simulated archaeological investigation including an excavation, site hut, and science laboratory and research library. Visitors can excavate parts of a Roman fortress, Viking City, Medieval burial site and Victorian workers cottages. They will find real artefacts that have been discovered by the archaeologists from York Archaeological Trust in York over the last 25 years. Once an interesting object has been uncovered, the visitors will go to work to find out what they can discover about life in the past from their artefacts.

Dig! will also be an attraction that celebrates local history, ending with a 3D reveal area which will talk through the history of York and how life would have been through the different time periods studied.

The ARC is owned by York Archaeological Trust, a Registered Charity (No. 509060), which uncovered the beautifully preserved remains of Viking-Age Coppergate. The income generated by JORVIK enables the Trust to fund future archaeological activity, including education, excavation, research and the publication of books and papers.

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.orgor visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org