DIG celebrates 10th birthday after welcoming almost half a million visitors

Organisers of the 'home of hands-on archaeology for kids' in St Saviourgate say they want to mark their first decade of uncovering the fun side of history.

A spokesman said that before it opened, many had thought the subject uninteresting but DIG had become an interactive experience that would keep kids, big and small, entertained for years.

Sarah Maltby, director of attractions at York Archaeological Trust, which owns DIG, said there was already a fully immersive heritage experience in York at JorvikViking Centre before DIG was launched in 2006.

"But we, as an independent educational and archaeological charity, wanted to showcase the world of archaeology to a wider audience," she said.

"Not just the evidence that it can tell us, which is what we do at Jorvik, but the actual process involved. This then became the inspiration behind DIG, a hands-on archaeological adventure for kids and we are so happy to see it flourishing a decade on.”

She said DIG had welcomed more than 463,000 visitors over the past decade, ranging from families on holiday to scores of school children from across the country who had dug, delved and discovered the past.

“DIG has become a firm fixture on many schools’ visits to York," she said. "From digging in the DIG pits with our archaeologists to taking part in workshops in our dedicated learning area - anything from Viking battle tactics to Roman-Age hearth and home, we cover over 2,000 years of the city history in one venue.”

The spokeswoman said visitors would be in for a treat on Saturday, as they would take advantage of the full DIG experience and would also attend a special birthday party with everything that any 10 year would love - "games, cakes and prizes galore!”

*The party takes place between 10am and 4pm, when normal admission prices will apply. For more information visit www.digyork.com or call 01904 615505.