What is the Leicestershire Young Archaeologists’ Club?

The Leicestershire Young Archaeologists’ Club is part of the national Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC), the only UK-wide club for 8-16 year olds wanting to get their hands mucky doing real archaeology.

YAC is a network of over 70 local clubs throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, run by over 500 dedicated volunteers and supported by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA).

Our vision is for all young people to have opportunities to be inspired and excited by archaeology and to be empowered to help shape its future.

We provide opportunities for 8-16 year olds to participate in real archaeology and discover why it matters. If you want to become a professional archaeologist in the future or just feel like taking up an amazing new hobby, YAC is the right place for you!

Our members take part in all sorts of fantastic, hands-on activities, such as excavation, working with artefacts, visiting historical sites and museums, and undertaking experimental archaeology. We explore all eras of human history, and if you have an artistic streak, we also run lots of craft-based activities based on archaeological periods and technology.

The Leicestershire YAC is run by a team of volunteers who have strong interests in archaeology and local history.

We have been running since 1996 and are an ever growing club, always welcoming new members to take part and providing opportunities for young adults to volunteer as branch assistants. Based in Leicester, we organise a wide range of activities across the surrounding county and region, from fieldwork (such as field walking and excavation) to tours of local historical sites and museums, as well as indoor activities and lab work.

Anyone aged 8-16 can join us, regardless of ability.  The only requirement is that you must be crazy about archaeology and history.

If you do not live in or near Leicestershire and want to become a young archaeologist, visit YAC’s ‘Join a Club’ page to find out about clubs in your area.

Leicestershire YAC Branch Leaders

The Leicestershire Young Archaeologists’ Club is run by a team of volunteers. All individuals listed below have had a DBS check.

Mathew Morris

Hi, I’m Mathew. I am a professional archaeologist with over a decade of practical experience and I have spent much of my career excavating sites in Leicestershire and all over the East Midlands. I currently work for University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS). I have worked on many excavations, including those for the Highcross Leicester shopping centre, De Montfort University’s business and law building and the Greyfriars Project, the successful search for King Richard III. I am particularly interested in urban archaeology, and Roman and medieval archaeology, and I have also co-authored several books on Leicestershire archaeology: Visions of Ancient Leicester, Richard III: The King under the Car Park and Life in Roman Leicester.

I hope I can use my enthusiasm for the past and my extensive practical experience to help inspire the next generation of young archaeologists.

Debbie Frearson

Hi, I’m Debbie. My interest in archaeology started whilst renovating an old cottage and my new-found passion led me to getting a degree in Archaeology and Landscape History and a Masters in Archaeology.

Over the years, I have built up a portfolio of community archaeology experience with the Council for British Archaeology, YAC Fenland, Hallaton Fieldworkers, the Rutland Local History Society and the Festival of Archaeology.

I specialise in public engagement and have run after-school archaeology clubs. Recently I have worked as a project supervisor in the University of Leicester Archaeology Outreach Team and I am currently the coordinator for the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology.

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