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ow’s your chance to get your finger nails dirty and be in with a chance of unearthing an historic relic buried for thousands of years at the Roman dig at Vindolanda.

For six months each year, hundreds of volunteers descend on the Roman forts, which were occupied as far back as AD 85, to continue the archaeological excavation.

And you don’t have to be Indiana Jones or a grade-A archaeology student to take part as long as you’re fit, interested and willing to get stuck in.

Over the course of a week or two, you’ll develop a whole range of excavation and post excavation skills, receiving as much guidance as you need. You could find yourself wielding anything from a shovel to a fine brush as you delve deeper into the past.

Back in 2009, the team uncovered an impressive religious shrine dedicated to a Roman god. For your chance to experience that rare buzz of discovering some age-old artifact then visit the website and get signed up.

And don’t worry if you can’t make it this year, current estimates predict that it will take another 150 to complete the examination of Vindolanda.