Festival Archaeology Day 2026 at the University of Hull

We are inviting you to our Festival of Archaeology Day at the University of Hull to explore life by the aquatic environments of East Yorkshire from prehistory to today. We are planning the following activities that will run throughout the day:

Fun with Flags – Discovering Doggerland

Did you know that 10,000 years ago you could have walked from Hull to Amsterdam? Or found a great place to live on your way? Come and follow our way-markers to discover more about Doggerland, the land mass that once joined the UK to mainland Europe. Then make your own flag to guide your friends across this fascinating prehistoric landscape.

South Blockhouse VR model

Did you know that hidden beneath a carpark near the mouth of the River Hull lies the remains of a Tudor fort? Find out about Hull's South Blockhouse, part of fortifications built on the orders on Henry VIII. Explore finds from archaeological digs and step into the past with a Virtual Reality South Blockhouse with Humber Field Archaeology and Hull Maritime. We'll also have comics, zines and some freebies for you to take away too!

Prehistoric boats of the Humber

Learn about some of the oldest watercraft of Europe found in East Yorkshire and design your own sewn plank boat.

Dugout boats with Rewilding Youth

Join Rewilding Youth for a hands-on experience and learn more about how we took young people on a journey through time, exploring how our ancestors would have used local blue spaces crafted dug out boats using materials and resources from the land around them.

East Riding Archaeological Society

Handle finds from recent community archaeological excavations in East Riding and find out how to get involved in the work of the society.

The event will take place on Friday 24th of July, between 10 am and 2pm at Lesley Downs, Ferens Building at the University of Hull campus (Cottingham Road, HU6 7RX).

The event is a collaboration between researchers of the Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull and the following local partners: Hull Maritime, Humber Field Archaeology, Rewilding Youth and East Riding Archaeological Society.