Alexandria Archaeology's Family Dig Days

Event Date

Saturday, August 2, 2014 - 1:30pm
Event Location
Alexandria Archaeology Museum

RSVP Link

Family Dig Day sessions run for an hour and a half, and cost $5.00 per person. Reservations are required. Dig Days are held several times a year between May and October. For this summer’s schedule, please see the section above, or view our Calendar.

All the necessary equipment will be furnished, but please wear comfortable clothes, boots or sturdy shoes (no sandals), and bring a water bottle.

The event is presented in three parts, beginning with an introduction to the history and archaeology of the Shuter’s Hill Site, followed by a site tour, and finally gathering around the screens to sift through excavated soil collecting artifacts. The bags of artifacts will be sent to the laboratory in the Museum for processing.

The Shuter's Hill site has a long and varied history. The oldest artifacts found relate to early Native American occupation and include a quartzite hand axe, quartzite projectile points, and pottery fragments.Other artifacts found include bottles, rusted cans, broken china, car parts, and a 1920 Mercury dime. The remnants of several buildings have also been uncovered. These structures date before, during, and after the Civil War.

Guided Site Tours are also held on occasion. The public is invited to observe archaeologists at work, and to learn first-hand the steps to excavating a site. Meet the City Archaeologists and trained volunteers for one-hour guided tours. Learn about the site’s history and the artifacts. Site tours are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. See the Calendar for this year’s schedule, and call 703.746.4399 to sign up.

Reservations Are Required

To accommodate the large demand for the popular Family Dig Day program, the following policy has been established:

  • Reservations may be made with receipt of the full non-refundable payment ($5.00 per person) for your selected session. Sessions may already be filled, so please call 703.746.4399 or contact us by email to check availability before mailing your payment to:

Family Dig Days
Alexandria Archaeology
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

  • Walk-ins can NOT be accommodated. Space is limited. Everyone’s name must appear on the reservation list.
  • If a Dig Day you are interested in has filled up, we keep a waiting list in case of cancellations.