Soldiers take part in ground-breaking archaeology project in Wales
An award-winning project using archaeology to aid the recovery of injured soldiers has taken place in Wales.
Operation Nightingale - which has been recognised by the British Archaeological Awards for its innovation - has seen soldiers excavating the remains of a Roman building at Caerwent Training Area, near Newport.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Defence Archaeology Group worked with a number of units including The Rifles to create the unique and hugely successful programme, which gives injured Military Personnel the opportunity to learn a series of excavation, land survey, drawing and mapping techniques.
The soldiers, who join the programme voluntarily, also produce a report of their findings which helps enhance their publication and presentation skills.
The majority of soldiers who took part were serving personnel, however there were also a number of injured veterans on the programme, including from the Falklands conflict. The participants had suffered a broad spectrum of injuries including physical and psychological trauma.
The excavation work took place under the supervision of archaeologists from the DIO, Defence Archaeology Group and the University of Leicester, which support the project. A group of students from the university also worked alongside the soldiers.
Other partners including Cadw - the Welsh Government’s historic environment service - and the Army’s survey unit,135 Geographical Squadron are also helping to deliver the programme.
The excavation at Caerwent started on March 24 and has involved a total of 18 soldiers working to uncover a stone building, thought to date back to the 3rdor 4thCentury AD.
Caerwent Training Area covers an area of approximately 1,500 acres, which is largely covered by woodland and industrial building. Investigations which took place at the site last year uncovered Roman artefacts including coins and a hypocaust – Roman heating system.
Richard Osgood, DIO’s Senior Historic Advisor, said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces. There are long-standing connections between the profession of archaeology and the military. This work draws on a number of important skill-sets to give the soldiers an enduring interest in heritage and their environment.
“The project has proved of immense value thus far in assisting the recovery of soldiers in The Rifles and other units, while at the same time accomplishing some great archaeology”
Sgt Diarmaid Walshe, who is also a qualified archaeologist, said:
“The feedback from Service personnel who have attended the programme so far is that every single one has enjoyed themselves and gained a positive experience that has helped their recovery.
“The key to the success of the project is that the soldiers undertake many different activities, from digging to surveying, photography and finds processing. The programme gives them something useful to do which can help rebuild their self-esteem, provide them with a sense of purpose and give them something positive to strive for.
“This programme is also about giving something back to the local communities around Chepstow and South Wales who have shown strong support to our injured personnel.”
Professor Simon James of the University of Leicester said:
“We are pleased to be lending our continued support to Operation Nightingale which offers unique opportunities for both the soldiers and the students of the University of Leicester who are working together on the dig.
“Operation Nightingale projects like this give injured soldiers the chance to build on their military skills to explore a novel and rewarding activity, our students help teach them archaeological techniques, while learning from the soldiers how to look after themselves in the field.”
An award-winning project which uses archaeology to aid the recovery of injured soldiers is taking place in Wales.
Operation Nightingale - which has been recognised by the British Archaeological Awards for its innovation - has seen soldiers excavating the remains of a Roman building at Caerwent Training Area, near Newport.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Defence Archaeology Group worked with a number of units including The Rifles to create the unique and hugely successful programme, which gives injured Military Personnel the opportunity to learn a series of excavation, land survey, drawing and mapping techniques.
The soldiers, who join the programme voluntarily, also produce a report of their findings which helps enhance their publication and presentation skills.
The majority of soldiers taking part are serving personnel, however there are also a number of injured veterans on the programme, including from the Falklands conflict. The participants have suffered a broad spectrum of injuries including physical and psychological trauma.
The excavation work has been taking place under the supervision of archaeologists from the DIO, Defence Archaeology Group and the University of Leicester, which are supporting the project. A group of students from the university are also working alongside the soldiers.
Other partners including Cadw - the Welsh Government’s historic environment service - and the Army’s survey unit,135 Geographical Squadron are also helping to deliver the programme.
The excavation at Caerwent started on March 24 and has involved a total of 18 soldiers working to uncover a stone building, thought to date back to the 3rdor 4thCentury AD.
Caerwent Training Area covers an area of approximately 1,500 acres, which is largely covered by woodland and industrial building. Investigations which took place at the site last year uncovered Roman artefacts including coins and a hypocaust – Roman heating system.
Richard Osgood, DIO’s Senior Historic Advisor, said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces. There are long-standing connections between the profession of archaeology and the military. This work draws on a number of important skill-sets to give the soldiers an enduring interest in heritage and their environment.
“The project has proved of immense value thus far in assisting the recovery of soldiers in The Rifles and other units, while at the same time accomplishing some great archaeology”
Sgt Diarmaid Walshe, who is also a qualified archaeologist, said:
“The feedback from Service personnel who have attended the programme so far is that every single one has enjoyed themselves and gained a positive experience that has helped their recovery.
“The key to the success of the project is that the soldiers undertake many different activities, from digging to surveying, photography and finds processing. The programme gives them something useful to do which can help rebuild their self-esteem, provide them with a sense of purpose and give them something positive to strive for.
“This programme is also about giving something back to the local communities around Chepstow and South Wales who have shown strong support to our injured personnel.”
Professor Simon James of the University of Leicester said:
“We are pleased to be lending our continued support to Operation Nightingale which offers unique opportunities for both the soldiers and the students of the University of Leicester who are working together on the dig.
“Operation Nightingale projects like this give injured soldiers the chance to build on their military skills to explore a novel and rewarding activity, our students help teach them archaeological techniques, while learning from the soldiers how to look after themselves in the field.”
Ends
With picure. Caption: DIO Historic Environmental Adviser Philip Abramson and Capt Paul Johnstone-Armstrong excavate the Roman building
Notes to Editors
1.The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2.Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, our heritage is protected and to achieve our environmental goals.
3.DIO was formed on 1 April 2011 when the former Defence Estates (DE) organisation was brought together with other property and infrastructure functions within department to form a single organisation. DIO manages the MOD’s property infrastructure and ensures strategic management of the Defence estate as a whole.
4.The Rifles is the largest infantry regiment in the British Army, consisting of five regular and two territorial battalions.Defence Archaeology Group has been set up to help oversee Operation Nightingale, to help harness and raise the awareness of service personal in matters connected with archaeology and heritage. For more information visit www.dmasuk.org
Contact Emma Sloper, Communications Officer 0121 311 2418
