The Bishop Big Dig used innovative archaeology ‘intervention’ to restore people’s mental health and sense of belonging. Durham University partnered with The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity committed to social and economic change, and 13-14-year-old students from a Bishop Auckland school. The staff and students from Durham’s Department of Archaeology and volunteers from The Auckland Project provided specialist training to the pupil from King James 1 Academy, so they could support in the miniature excavations. The team dug 100+ test pits in local gardens and fields, finding thousands of objects.

The aim of the project was in part archaeological - an exercise in conducting urban contemporary archaeology - and in part a community undertaking designed to enhance ‘cultural capital’ through engagement with local history and archaeological skills.

The results provide new evidence for the location, depth and date of archaeological deposits as well as for the evolution of the town. Participants felt that their mental health improved and their sense of belonging and pride in their town was re-energised too.