From the Trenches: Inclusive Discovery at the Farm Green Dig


From the Trenches: Inclusive Discovery at the Farm Green Dig
By Gemma Ward& Felicity Thompson
In December 2025, we finalized the Impact Study for a project very close to our hearts: the Farm Green Dig in Bevendean, Brighton. What began as an archaeological evaluation of a medieval farm complex quickly grew into something much larger—a vibrant, shared community experience that proved archaeology is, above all, about people.
A Vision for Accessible Archaeology
When we set out to deliver this dig, our primary goal was to ensure that heritage wasn't just something to be observed, but something to be done by everyone. We rooted the project in "playful engagement," breaking down the traditional barriers that often keep community members from participating in professional-level fieldwork.
Over the course of the project, we saw this vision come to life:
 * Intergenerational Discovery: Our participants ranged in age from 3 to 93, bringing a true sense of community ownership to the site.
 * A Space for Everyone: We were particularly proud of the project’s inclusivity. 39% of our home-educated young participants identified as neurodivergent, and 35% of the Brighton Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) members who helped us plan the dig were children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
 * Youth-Led Interpretation: To ensure the project’s legacy, we worked with 23 young people to co-create a digital interactive guide. This youth-led resource allowed them to share their own interpretations of the farm’s history, from the Domesday Book to the 8,000 finds we recovered together.

Meaningful Impact
The results of the impact study were deeply moving. Beyond the 8,000 artifacts—which included everything from toy soldiers to animal bones—the human impact was significant:
 * 96% of participants agreed they had learned new archaeological skills.
 * 91% felt a stronger connection to their local heritage.
 * 86% reported an improvement in their personal wellbeing.
As one local youth worker observed during our Open Day, seeing non-verbal children joining in workshops highlighted that "the community just doesn't expect to have things like this put on for them". Delivering this project showed us that when you create an inclusive environment, the community doesn't just show up—they take lead.

Looking Ahead
While the evaluation phase is complete, the legacy of the Farm Green Dig continues through the digital guide and the project film, which are now freely available to the public.
Our hope for the future is to secure funding to expand this into a full-scale community excavation, continuing to provide NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) pathways and leadership opportunities for the next generation of archaeologists.
We want to extend a massive thank you to all the volunteers, families, and local partners who picked up a trowel and helped us uncover the history of Bevendean.



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