Facilities
Source: https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/about/facilities/ Parent: https://www.york.ac.uk/archaeology/study/undergraduate/
Our exceptional facilities support research and teaching across a wide variety of archaeological methods and techniques.
Along with our research centres, our facilities promote collaborative research and teaching across the University. They enhance learning opportunities, and support our internationally-recognised reputation for archaeological research.
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Department of Archaeology
Our spaces
Our facilities are based on Campus West. Students, staff and affiliated researchers all have access to our bespoke teaching spaces, laboratories, specialist equipment, archives and reference collections. They include the YEAR centre, our outdoor experimental archaeology centre, and the Archaeology Data Service (ADS); a world-leading accredited digital repository for heritage data.
New facilities in the Berrick Saul Building will open in Autumn 2026. They include £700,000 digital archaeology and heritage facilities generously funded by The Wolfson Foundation, bones labs, and human osteology facilities.
Fieldwork facilities
At York, our students have the opportunity to engage in fieldwork and excavation activities.
We're well-equipped with a wide range of fieldwork, building and landscape survey equipment, giving students an understanding of practical solutions in the study of archaeology.
Specifications - fieldwork
- Electrical resistance unit
- GPS units (handheld and differential)
- Gradiometers
- Ground Penetrating Radar
- Laser scanners
- Portable XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence)
- Mary Cudworth Lab
- Magnetic susceptibility meters
- Metal detectors
- Quadcopter drones
- Post Excavation and Archive Lab
- Resistance meters
- Specialist cameras, including 360 camera, Go-Pros and video-ready DSLRs
- Total Station Theodolites
Digital archaeology and heritage facilities
We have Digital Archaeology and Heritage (DAH) Lab and photographic facilities. They offer perfect spaces to experiment with pioneering technologies to bring the past to life. Investigate and disseminate heritage data using virtual reality, photogrammetry, photography and video games.
We lead the Centre for Digital Heritage, collaborating with partners across the University and conducting interdisciplinary research on immersive storytelling.
Explore our Digital and Heritage Lab
Specifications - digital archaeology and heritage
The Department has a Digital Archaeology & Heritage Lab and photographic lab facilities which are well-equipped with the following:
- 3D multiscale laser imaging
- Cameras, tripods and other accessories and photogrammetry
- Imaging software including:
- 3D Studio Max
- Agisoft Metashape
- ArcGIS
- AutoCAD
- Blender
- Davinci Resolve
- Unity
- Immersive 360° cameras
- Professional lighting
- RTI dome
Bioarchaeology and biomolecular facilities
Our internationally-renowned bioarchaeology facilities are equipped with specialised lab equipment for analysis of human, animal and plant remains and molecular techniques - proteins, lipids, DNA and stable isotopes.
Specifications - bioarchaeology and biomolecular
- Archaeological Chemistry Lab
- Imaging and Wear Analysis Lab
- Human Osteoarchaeology Lab
- Palaeogenomics Lab
- Palaeoproteomics Lab
- Sample Prep Labs
- Terry O’Connor Zooarchaeology Lab
- York Light Stable Isotope Facility
Human Osteology, evolutionary anthropology, archaeobotany and zooarchaeology facilities
We offer a wide range of osteology, evolutionary anthropology, archaeobotany and zooarchaeology facilities, including bespoke teaching and research labs, reference collections and equipment. We maintain an extensive teaching collection of human and skeletal remains.
We work closely with the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, giving our zooarchaeologists access to facilities for geometric morphometrics and anatomical modelling.
Visit the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences
Specifications - human osteology, evolutionary anthropology, archaeobotany and zooarchaeology
- 3D printing
- Archaeobotany Lab
- CT Collection
- Function and Materials Testing Lab\
- Finite elements
- Virtual manipulation
- Morphometrics
- Multibody dynamic analyses
- High-end computing and facilities
- Laser, CT and MRI image segmentation, reconstruction
- Human skeletal collections
- Human Osteoarchaeology Lab
- Terry O’Connor Zooarchaeology Lab
- Virtual Anthropology Lab
- X-Ray and SEM Lab
Material culture and experimental archaeology facilities
Immerse yourself in all aspects of material culture with our outdoor experimental archaeology workspace, the York Experimental Archaeological Research (YEAR) Centre.
Our students gain practical experience in our teaching labs - working with artefacts, soil and environmental samples.
Specifications - material culture and experimental archaeology
- Archaeological Chemistry Lab
- Artefacts Teaching Lab
- Imaging and Wear Analysis Lab
- Materials Reference Collection
- Microwear Reference Collection
- Mary Cudworth Thin-Sectioning Lab
- Object Conservation Lab
- Palaeodiet Materials Testing Lab
- Post Excavation and Archive Lab
- X-Ray and SEM Lab
- York Experimental Archaeological Research (YEAR) Centre
Access to extensive libraries and archives
We offer access to extensive historical archives and collections, including the Borthwick Institute for Archives, and the JB Morrell, Raymond Burton, and York Minster libraries.
We’re ranked 6th overall for our research according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
A city of history and heritage
York is a contemporary student-friendly city. Rich in history and heritage, it's one of the best places to study and research archaeology and conservation of buildings.
Journals
Explore some of the journals edited by our staff and students. We contribute to numerous journals in the discipline, ensuring new archaeological research is made available to all.
- Internet Archaeology
- The Post Hole
- Medieval Archaeology
- Geoarchaeology
- Mesolithic Miscellany
- Finds Research Group
- The Archaeological Journal
- Landscape Research Journal
Libraries and archives
At York, you'll have access to extensive library and archive collections, including:
- The JB Morrell and Raymond Burton libraries
- York Minster Library and Archives
- The Borthwick Institute for Archives: a significant international archive collection, offering you the opportunity to view original documents from the 12th to the 21st centuries.
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Study with us
Our research centres
Contact us
Contact us
Department of Archaeology