#AskAnArchaeologist Day is an online event that takes once a year as part of the CBA's Festival of Archaeology. The event takes place on X (formerly Twitter) and anyone can participate.
In 2024 the event will take place on Friday 19 July.
#AskAnArchaeologist Day has now grown to be a global event lasting 24 hours and with archaeologists and members of the public taking place from all over the world.
How do I take part?
#AskAnArchaeologist Day will take place on Friday 19 July in 2024.
To take part, all you need to do is post your question on X (formerly Twitter) and include the hashtag #AskAnArchaeologist.
If you can also tag @AskAnArchDay we'll get a notification of your question and can share it on our X (formerly Twitter) feed too.
If you want a specific person to answer you can also include their X (formerly Twitter) handle.
I’m an archaeologist and I want to take part - what do I do?
That’s great! Search X (formerly Twitter) for #AskAnArchaeologist on Friday 19 July 2024 and answer questions, contribute to discussions and generally get involved. Feel free to ask questions of your own.
Ahead of the day, please share the details as widely as you can and encourage people to take part. If you work for an archaeological unit, museum or other archaeology or heritage organisation please ask your social media team to join in and spread the word.
We're a museum or other place where archaeologists work, can we join in?
Of course. If you have an X (formerly Twitter) account, join in with your answers or questions.
Some places like to schedule specific time slots when their archaeologists will be available so people can get prepared with questions. Make sure you publicise this on X (formerly Twitter) and tag @AskAnArchDay so we can also let people know.
You can also help to spread the word about the day and your involvement.
I'm a school teacher - can my class get involed?
Yes, we've had lots of schools participate in the past. Generally, a teacher will use a single X account to post questions on behalf of their pupils. Archaeologists are always keen to share their knowledge and inspire the next generation so questions from young people always get a good response.
Make sure to tag the @AskAnArchDay account on X so we can give your class a shout out!
How did the event get started?
The idea is based on the hugely successful #AskACurator day, set up by Mar Dixon, which has run for several years on Twitter (now X).
The team at National Trust Midlands came up with the idea for the same sort of day for archaeology, and so #AskAnArchaeologist Day was born.
Who coordinates #AskAnArchaeologist Day?
While the CBA Festival of Archaeology team are online during the day and manage the “official” @AskAnArchDay X (formerly Twitter) account, this event is self-led and open to anyone.
The best thing about the day is that it’s all about curious people asking questions and knowledgeable people sharing their answers.
The Festival Team will use the @AskAnArchDay account to promote #AskAnArchaeologist Day and on the 19 July 2024 we'll be posting and sharing questions and encouraging people to take part. If you have any questions email us at [email protected].