In 2026 UCL IoA will be carrying out excavations on an area of land to the east of Aveley Lane, Alpheton, Suffolk (NGR 587619 249357). Roman material has been recovered from the field since the 1980s. Metal detecting and fieldwalking has produced coins and pottery dating from the mid-1st to the 4th century. Trenches in 1989 and 1992 identified various ditches and pits, and large quantities of Roman finds including evidence for a villa-type building, mainly from the brow of the hill. Further excavations were carried out by a local amateur history group in 2018 and in 2025 by UCL. The 2025 campaign opened three areas exposing a bath house, an aisled building and linear enclosure ditches. See report of findings here: https://journals.uclpress.co.uk/ai/article/id/3697/

The 2026 campaign will return to the bath house and aisled building, as well as opening trenches over a large building lying outside and to the east of the enclosure, close to the river, and on the southern boundary of the villa. The project will be directed by Stuart Brookes, supported by experienced IOA and ASE staff. During the field school participants will be equipped with essential excavation and survey skills. These skills are benchmarked against those outlined in the CiFA Archaeology Skills Passport.

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Please note that you must complete the UCL IOA Health & Safety & Dietary requirement form.