The courses below are at introductory level and provide a really thorough explanation of the subjects, with lots of hand outs and in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

The lecturer, Dr Jill Eyers, has been lecturing for the Open University, Oxford and others since 1986. The courses are always very hands-on, with a relaxed friendly atmosphere, with lots of the tutor's own collections available as first-hand examples.

There are always lots of hand outs and more details can be seen from the links above:

6th May 2012 (Sunday) Geophysics field day - Jill's 'Time Team' 

This is a whole day training at an archaeological site in the Chilterns (tbd when permissions are in). The equipment to be used will be the resistance meter and magnetic susceptibility. With permission we may use the metal detector also. Full training and instruction, with handouts, will be given. This is training, but it is also real research - not just a trial. We will be investigating Bronze Age to Roman archaeology.  Full results will be sent when processed. 9 am to 4.30. £30.

18 to 20th May 2012 (Friday evening to Sunday). The Ice Age in Norfolk

This weekend field trip will show the best geology along the Norfolk coast. Based in a nice hotel in Mundsley with trips to West Runton, Happisburgh, Cromer, Overstrand and Blakeney esker. Cost to be confirmed but c. £190 for single room (B&B with 2 course dinner for two nights); £115 to £130 per person for the 2 nights if sharing a standard or executive room. A £30 deposit per person is required to make the booking. Contact Jill first to see if there are still places. Contact Jill 

30th July (Monday)  Field trip to the Cretaceous seaside

A fascinating tour back in time 115 million years to the Cretaceous world of Bedfordshire. The quarries of Leighton Buzzard reveal an intriguing story – that story can be ‘read’ in the rocks and through the fossils found there. Fossil handout provided. Picnic lunch in quarry. Leighton Buzzard, 10.30 am to 2 pm. £25

25th August 2012 (Saturday).  Fossils – the what where and when.

A morning hands-on session using lots of real fossils followed by a field trip to a disused quarry to find your own fossils. What is a fossil? How do they form? How do you identify them and where can they be found? These plus many more interesting areas will be covered, with an opportunity to learn what they tell us about ancient environments. Nr Buckingham. Worksheets provided. 10-4 pm, £30.

1st September (Sunday)  Vale of the White Horse

A field trip to this beautiful locality. Archaeology and geology combined. Sites visited will be using the Ridgeway path and include: Uffington Castle, Wayland Smithy, the White Horse and the Medieval village of Woolstone. Full handout provided. 10am to 4pm £25.

16th September (Sunday) Stone tools and ancient lifestyles

This workshop will use stone tools to explore how people lived from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic plus a little of the Bronze Age. How do you recognise a chipped flint from a tool? How did people make the tools and what were they used for? How can we date tools?  What can archaeologists do with them? Real artefacts make this a very interesting day. Lots of handouts. Near High Wycombe (the venue will be chosen when the numbers are known). 10 to 3 pm. £30

tbd (Sunday) late September A walk in time - the building stones of Oxford.

A morning's walk across some of the most interesting buildings of Oxford. Handouts provided. 10 am to 1 pm, £15

6th October (Saturday)  Life and death in a Roman villa.

This is a first-hand account of the story of Roman Hambleden - as seen on BBC television on Digging for Britain. It will be led by the archaeologist in charge of the project. The morning will be an illustrated talk followed by a hands on workshop with artefacts, followed by a walk around the beautiful Hambleden Valley to visualise what lies hidden beneath this landscape. Hambleden. 10 am to 3 pm. £30.

March date tbd 2013 (Sunday)  Woodland Archaeology.

This is very much a hands-on and 'how to do it' course. It will be based either in Hambleden, Bucks or nearer Henley, Oxfordshire, tbd. Maps will be provided as will a good set of handouts. During the day we will learn about features of the woodland - both natural and archaeological. We will search for features, then measure them and mark them on maps. From this work a detailed interpretation will be possible by the end of the day. This knowledge can then be used anywhere else! 10 am to 4 pm £30

date tbd April  (Sunday)  Romans in Bucks - workshop and field trip.

Morning indoor workshop looking at life in Roman Bucks from archaeological evidence including a collection of real artefacts. Then the afternoon will be a field visit to burial mounds and the remains of a Roman villa on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. Handouts and maps provided. Nr Buckingham to Milton Keynes. 10-4.30 £30

There will be more field trips put into the programme shortly. Group rates can be arranged.

Contact Jill for more information or to book a place: Contact Jill

13 Pusey Way, Lane End, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3LG

If sending a cheque to secure a place, then please make it payable to 'Chiltern Archaeology'.