Recruitment for the 2026 on-site team

Who we need:

Our placements are for 3 or 6 weeks only, In 2026 placements will commence on either 7 June or 28 July. There is no age limit - if you study and/or love archaeology and the outdoors, are fit, healthy and athletic and can cope with heavy physical work on a rough, windswept mountain summit in Mediterranean summer temperatures (up to c. 35 degrees C: work involves moving mounds of stones and buckets of soil weighing 20-25kg by hand every day) in return for first-hand experience of world-class archaeological material and training in excavation, conservation and other heritage skills, please apply by APRIL 15, 2026. Drivers happy to drive stick-shift vehicles in Greece are of particular interest in helping our team move around.  

Preference will be given to those with a serious dedicated interest in archaeology and/or some experience in fieldwork, who expect and are able to undertake reasonably hard physical labour on a challenging site. All participants undertake the same work and post-excavation study opportunities are not currently available for this project, However, as part of our free programme of field trips and tours you will be able to explore the research centre at which our finds study is carried out and see our finds in the process of conservation and documentation. Regular formal and informal feedback on your work and an accreditation system (Archaeology Passport) are offered.

Costs:

You need to supply your return travel costs to Crete and travel insurance. We supply food (usually via a weekly stipend) and shared single-sex accommodation for the whole period of your volunteering with us. A participation fee covers transport, training, some equipment, and some weekend group meals and trips. In 2026 this will be £270.

We will collect/drop you at the start/end of your placement at Malia on the north coast of Crete by car. From Malia you can access Heraklion, the airport and the rest of the island by bus. You must arrive at and depart from the project on a Saturday.

Please contact S. Wallace or K. Nowicki in the first instance. An application form will need to be filled out and interviews for shortlisted applicants will be held via video call throughout the last two weeks of April. Decisions about participation will be made by the end of April 2026. Prior to taking up a place you will need to read and sign a safety, behaviour and learning undertaking with us covering your time on the project. If the terms of this agreement are not adhered to by you during your participation, following standard warnings you will be asked to leave the project and your accommodation at a few days' notice, with no refund of fees, travel costs, etc, in order to preserve a productive working atmosphere on site and to allow a waiting-list participant to take your place.

 The vast majority of participants have stayed the course and enjoyed being part of the team. However, the work is not for everyone, and you should think carefully about what you want before applying. We look forward to hearing from you.