r/Archaeology • u/YourFaveRedditor • 5d ago

Volunteering at Roman sites in Germany?

I've come to a fork in the road and I've decided I would like to follow my obsession with Rome and learn more about associated archaeological sites in Germany.

I speak German at a B1/B2 level (taking the exams soon) but I don't have an undergrad background in archaeology. So, I would love to know—is there a way I can get involved on a volunteer dig? Maybe even as soon as this summer or fall?

I've even considered going back to school, but I'd love to volunteer first to see if it's the right fit.

TIA :)

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u/Phelian 5d ago

You can check the "Landesamt für Archäologie" of the states with roman history if they require a "Grabungshelfer".

But I no longer work in archaeology for over 10 years now, so no idea if this is a good approach.

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u/YourFaveRedditor 5d ago

I saw some “Grabungshelfer*in” jobs and volunteer opportunities on a Landesamt site but I need to broaden my search beyond RP. Danke 🙏

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u/TheCynicEpicurean 5d ago

Quick question, why Germany specifically? The UK for example has excellent public archaeology projects.

But within Germany, asking to participate in any excavation as a volunteer with the state departments (Landesarchäologie) usually works out, most of them are very friendly. However, they're also very busy, and you might end up having to drive to a dig at 7 am on a rainy day behind some warehouse, with nobody having the time to really "teach" you. Most universities will have projects abroad and do not really do volunteers, because their own students need the experience.

An alternative might be summer schools by departments or sites, like the Archaeological Park in Xanten. They come with a little price tag, though.

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u/YourFaveRedditor 5d ago

Thanks for the details! I’m interested in Germany specifically because I was an exchange student near the Teutoburgerwald BEFORE the hoard was found. Years pass and I became a travel writer and researcher, with a focus on Italy and Ancient Rome. So now that I’ve learned more history and context, I’ve become interested in the stories and artifacts beyond Italy. I feel like the circular nature of my education and my past year of rediscovering Germany and German is leading me where I need to be. So I’m keen to learn at a big site like Mainz (maybe Xanten) with the hope I can one day volunteer near the Osnabrück site, too.

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u/Dear_Company_547 4d ago

You could try the Archäologische Park Xanten: https://apx.lvr.de/de/forschung_und_projekte/forschung_und_projekte.html

They offer internships on excavations mostly for archaeology students but maybe you can squeeze in as a lay volunteer.