About
Throughout 2022 we excavated over a hundred test pits in gardens and green places across Bishop Auckland, uncovering thousands of artefacts telling ancient and modern stories about the ways that people lived, ate, played, decorated their homes and disposed of their waste. To read more about our findings, please follow the link below to read the full report.
Now we are embarking on an exciting second part which you are invited to take part in. Using the things we have found, we want help telling these stories in a series of free exhibitions. We are inviting people to take take part in a Citizens Assembly, where you can help craft the narratives you want told from the things we have found. To find out more, please fill in the form at the bottom of the website. All ages, genders and ethnicities are welcome to enquire.
To find out more about BBD Part 1, please watch our new documentary film made by Megan Olshefski.
The young people from King James I Academy won Team of The Year at the 2023 Bishop Auckland Town Council Youth Awards!
The Bishop Big Dig has been shortlisted for the 2023 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community.
The Bishop Big Dig won the Emerald Publishing Award for Real Impact 2022/23
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Click on the pictures to find out more!
Facts and Figures
107
Test Pits dug in gardens and greenspaces across Bishop Auckland
10,000
artefacts discovered, from Roman pottery to modern vapes
38
homeowners allowed us to dig in their gardens and greenspaces
100+
Durham University archaeology students learnt to dig with us
25+
local volunteers ranging from gap year students to retired professionals dug with us
15
year 9 pupils from King James I Academy dug with us every Thursday for a year
