An Interview With… Dan Worsley, fieldwork archaeologist

Dan is an experienced fieldwork archaeologist who currently works for SWAT Archaeology as a Site Supervisor. I began by asking Dan to tell us about his background:

RT: What got you interested in archaeology?

DW: From being a young child, I have always had a keen interest in history. During my years at secondary school in Canterbury, my attention was kept fueled by enthusiastic history and classics teachers plus the opportunities for school trips to amazing international world heritage sites.

One of my history teachers studied archaeology, and so many of our lessons were taught through an archaeological perspective. As cliché as it is, Time Team being on TV had a significant impact and opened my eyes to the possibility of doing this as a career. After I left school, I did a small amount of volunteer work at ‘A Town Unearthed’ at

Folkestone, and it cemented the idea of pursuing this as a job.

RT: How did you find your way into commercial archaeology?

DW: After completing my MA in Environmental and Landscape Archaeology and returning to Canterbury, I contacted several Archaeological units in Kent, and one of the first responses was Paul Wilkinson of SWAT Archaeology, which was five years ago now.

I started as a trainee, and after working with and being taught by some great archaeologists, as well as being given the opportunities to progress, I am now project managing two excavations in Kent.

RT: Tell us about some of the more challenging excavations you’ve been involved with.

DW: Some of the most challenging and exciting excavations have been sites that have produced high-status grave assemblages that have contained items we have lifted such as complete ceramic and glass vessels, as well as more complex items such as block lifting the remains of boxes and furniture. Though it’s often stressful due to every lift having its own set of challenges, what makes it rewarding is working alongside conservators and having to think about how to approach the lift and overcome the obstacles. In terms of running a site, the most challenging situation I have had to deal with to date was managing the Margate Caves community-led excavation, which involved guiding numerous volunteers from the local community, in which most did not have any previous archaeological experience just lots of enthusiasm and teaching them the basics of archaeological excavation. It was a great experience coming from a commercial archaeological background to get to work with enthusiastic locals and get them involved with their archaeology. The freshly baked cakes that were dropped down to site were a real bonus.

RT: As a Site Supervisor on commercial excavations, describe your day-to-day role.

DW: As I’m currently running two sites my day starts with visiting the first site in which I check: how the team are; I run through what needs to be achieved that day; if they have any issues that need sorting out. When everything is in order, I go to my second site where my day will involve a mixture of archival work, fieldwork and administration with the clients from both sites, KCC and the SWAT office. The morning will typically involve getting the team started and letting them know features we will be focusing on today, while I’m also doing my own fieldwork throughout the day, I will make sure each member of the team is on track and sort any problems they may have. There is a lot of pre- planning with the developer and KCC on-site logistics to ensure that schedules can be adhered to where possible. Working in winter and spring throws up a whole new set of challenges due to the wet weather; it’s not uncommon to have to come up with different approaches to how we work across the site.

Work doesn’t finish when the site closes, with progress reports to write and any emails that I have received throughout the day that I didn’t get an opportunity to reply.

RT: Are there specific skills or characteristics you would say are essential to a Site Supervisor?

DW: I would have to say organisation and planning are essential to be able to keep track of where the teams are and the progress of sites, to keep to the deadlines that are agreed with the developers. Patience and diplomacy are also crucial as situations don’t always go to plan and we are dealing with clients who do not have archaeology as their priority; you have to be able to explain the reasons why we’re doing what we do and why it’s essential to be able to create a realistic schedule to record the archaeology to a high standard but not to interfere significantly with their timeframe.

RT: What would you say are the main differences between a commercial excavation and, let’s say, a volunteer- run project excavation?

DW: Even though I have worked on community-led projects, the majority have all been within the sphere of commercial archaeology, with that comes the demand of keeping to strict deadlines and dealing with external pressures.

In the instances where I have been involved with volunteer-run projects, it’s enjoyable to have the time to work alongside people who are enthusiastic and passionate, to share experience and to get engrossed and enjoy a project.

RT: I’ve noticed you are meticulous when it comes to the integrity of the site archive – perhaps you can explain why a thorough and accurate site archive is, in your view, essential?

DW: The importance of commercial archaeology is that we are brought onto sites to preserve the archaeology on the development via recording because, in most instances, this will be destroyed when the building phase commences. The archive is that record, containing all the information needed to be able to reconstruct and understand the landscape that would otherwise be lost forever. Therefore, comprehensive, accurate records are essential to be able to achieve this and need to be recorded precisely so anyone outside of the site can read through the archive and understand the archaeological landscape. The archive is also a great tool to keep track of the progress of the team and checking it regularly not only catches problems before they potentially get bigger but also allows you to understand where people might need help.

RT: Would you recommend fieldwork archaeology as a career?

DW: Yes, of course, if you have a real passion for it, then there is nothing better than being to do something you enjoy every day. Although, be prepared for working in awful weather conditions for half the year.

RT: How do you view the relationship between the KAS and the commercial archaeological sector?

DW: In my opinion, there should be more communication and contact between the commercial sector and KAS. There are so many local archaeological and history groups that are doing really important projects that are furthering our collective understanding of regional archaeological/ historical knowledge, which would be beneficial to the commercial sector.

I have been working on sites, and it’s only through my interactions with local archaeological and history groups that they have provided me with a wealth of invaluable background information that puts our site into the perspective of a broader landscape.

RT: Any message for the KAS Leadership Team?

DW: Keep spreading the word of the important archaeology we have here in Kent and impassioning new people to get involved.

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Fig 1: Dan forensically excavating grave goods

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Fig 2: Dan (right) team-excavating a cremation burial