Debbie Frearson

@archaeologyuk Festival Coordinator, @ArchAncHistLeic PhD student & haphazard gardener.

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

The Festival of Archaeology returns for 2026! 🏺🌲

From 18th July to 2nd August, the UK’s largest celebration of archaeology is back, and this year we’re exploring the connections between archaeology and nature.

From landscapes shaped by human activity to the plants, animals, and environments that shape archaeological sites, this year’s theme invites fresh ways of seeing the places around us.

We’ll be kicking off the Festival on the 18th July in a very fitting setting: @WestonbirtArb. As home to one of the world’s most significant tree collections, Westonbirt brings together nature, research, landscape history, and long-term environmental change. The perfect place to explore how people and the natural environment have shaped one another over time.

Alongside hundreds of events across the UK, this year’s Festival will include:

🖍 Youth Day & Youth Activity Day
▶️ This is Archaeology online lectures
🌼Theme Day activities
🏆@MarshAwards for Community Archaeology
❓Ask an Archaeologist and A Day in Archaeology will also be returning in a brand new form.
➕ And more!

Keep a watch on our socials and website for more updates!

Find out more about the Festival here 👉 https://t.co/FT8gXfKoTu

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

Really enjoyable talk by Mathew Morris of ULAS about 500,000 years of archaeology found in Leics & Rutland. Organised by Sarah Ross part of #FestivalofArchaeology for https://t.co/1WmRAfxCo0 @archaeologyuk hard work paid off as a full house in venue even met another Frearson🙂

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

Red Team are off to be Building Detectives with our very own @DebbieFrearson out @ChesterHouse_UK.

Lots of great buildings to explore on the site. I'm sure our Lidted Casework Team will be very jealous!!!
2/

[Joanne Kirton @Archaeo_Jo]

It's been a busy busy day @ChesterHouse_UK exploring archaeology and wellbeing for this year's #FestivalOfArchaeology.

We had loads of fun and learnt a few things along the way. @DebbieFrearson turned me into Building Detective 🕵️‍♀️ with her great activity.

Till next year....

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

Amazing opening at @JewryWallRoman, saw
@ArchaeologyUK president @Raksha_Digs, great interactive film and exhibition
#FestivalofArchaeology

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

@archaeologyuk @AskAnArchDay @RutlandLHRS #AskanArchaeologist @archaeologyuk

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

@archaeologyuk @AskAnArchDay #AdkAnArchaeologist Elaine Jones from Uppingham, she was an amazing mentor and had travelled & worked extensively worldwide. Cheered me on and put me on committees, shared her work with me. She ran @RutlandLHRS arch group. Sadly killed by drunk driver along her husband Clive.

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

Question from Reddit: How often do listed buildings burn down, and how often do they 'burn down'? @AskAnArchDay #AskAnArchaeologist

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

I will leave that to others to find🤣 #AskAnArchaeologist

[Claire Corkill @clairecorkill]

@archaeologyuk @AskAnArchDay There's a whole new world of space archaeology that's developing and I think the technology we use rather than what we find will be the next big thing
#AskAnArchaeologist

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

@archaeologyuk @AskAnArchDay I just finished making the Indiana lego set in order to gift (it was very old) Indiana lego figure was a very good observer to someone else doing the site work on this occasion, and every other site in the movie! #AskAnArchaeologist

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

@archaeologyuk #AskAnArchaeologist I did a session with young people and they put a light sabre, a D&G character and a phone in their hypothetical monument to themselves.

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

Calling all curious minds! Today is #AskAnArchaeologistDay, your chance to ask anything you’ve ever wanted to know about archaeology!

📱 Join the conversation on X, BlueSky, TikTok, and Instagram, just use the hashtag #AskAnArchaeologist or ask your question in the comments

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

🎁 Psst… want to win some archaeology-inspired goodies?

Guess how many Festival events ran 2020 - 2024 to enter 👉 https://t.co/e6y9Gic0Ji

Closes 31 Aug | UK | 18+

[Debbie Frearson @DebbieFrearson]

I enjoyed curating @archaeologyuk #FestivalofArchaeology Theme Day, interviewing people who have wonderful collections and producing a mindfulness museum of you session with Chris Jeavons of @uniofleicester . The YAC resources are amazing. https://t.co/RWUrBH0GzW

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

🪙 “When you are at your lowest, sometimes cocooning yourself with familiar objects… can help you shut out the world.”

For Neil Smith, collecting has always been a part of life. Discover Neil’s story and explore how collecting can support wellbeing 👉 https://t.co/X70WRVq8pB

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

“Anyone can dig.”

For Giselle Király, archaeology isn’t just about the past, it’s about helping people heal, connect, and rediscover themselves. Watch her interview and discover her collection 👉 https://t.co/KZOKeEB2Lq

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

🪖 What’s Not to Treasure? Meet Chris Kolonko

Chris is an archaeologist specialising in the First and Second World War Home Front. Chris’s collection reflects a deep connection to this heritage and the importance of remembering it. 👉 https://t.co/21Apozs6Ap

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

Not all treasures glitter… sometimes they’re the little things we gather along the way that hold the most meaning.

For Jo Weafer, collecting shells, stones & seaglass is a way to slow down and find calm in nature.👉 https://t.co/A7qpcpW4Yt

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

To celebrate the 2025 #FestivalOfArchaeology, @YAC_CBA has created a bumper pack filled with fun activities around this year’s theme: Archaeology and Wellbeing, co-created by young people for young people.

📥 Download your free pack👉 https://t.co/Q5BxykBWuF

[ArchaeologyUK @archaeologyuk]

🌿 How can archaeology help wellbeing?

It isn’t just about uncovering the past, it’s about how we connect to it. Whether it’s through exploring, handling artefacts, or sharing stories, archaeology offers a unique way to slow down, reflect, and feel part of something bigger.