Archaeology: be a real Indiana Jones

Do you like digging or discovering treasure? Have you ever tried archaeology?

Archaeology is the study of ancient cultures - finding out how humans lived through remains including buildings, graves, tools, and other artefacts (things that have been made by people) usually dug up from the ground.

You don't have to be a grown-up to try a bit of archaeology...

Here are students Ben and Afra. This summer they have been helping out at the Silchester dig near Reading.

Here's 16-year-old James. He started helping out at the old Roman town of Silchester when he was 15. He enjoyed it so much, he's come back again this summer.

James wants to be an archaeologist when he's older: "I used to love dinosaurs and the Romans when I was younger!"

Lots of Roman treasures have been found at Silchester.

This is a Roman mixing bowl. The Roman owner's name is still on it!

It was found by the archaeologists when they were excavating a well.

Earlier in the summer the Museum of London Docklands and Thames Explorer Trust held a special event for families. It gave them the chance to search for remains on the bank of the River Thames with an archaeologist. We went along to have a go.

We looked for Victorian, Tudor and even Roman artefacts and found lots!

Here's JoJo and her mum Barbie.

They are checking their finds against a helpsheet that shows them what time in history their artefacts are from.

Here's 13-year-old Frankie (left) and Karen with their Roman treasures found on the bank of the River Thames.

Inspired? A great way to become involved in archaeology is to join the Young Archaeologists' Club.

You then have a chance to take part in digs on a YAC Club Holiday, go to regular club sessions at digs all around the country and meet lots of other wannabe-archaeologists.

Picture courtesy YAC

Your local museum or heritage site might have special activities with an archaeological theme.

Try our Places to Go section to find venues near you.

If you've done some archaeology or been to see some ruins and got some photos, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch!

All pictures © Rachel Hayward/Culture24 unless otherwise stated.