Ever pulled a fragile sherd from the soil and wondered, “Now what?” In archaeology, the most significant risk often comes after the discovery: a rushed lift, a missing label, or poor packing can damage an artefact and wipe out the context that makes it meaningful. This free online archaeology course on archaeological artefact handling and site finds management walks you through the whole workflow, from first sighting to safe transport. You’ll learn how to assess the find, protect it on site, and keep its story intact.

You’ll practice practical excavation and fieldwork skills used on real digs: controlled recovery, stratigraphic awareness, and clear documentation. The course helps you identify common archaeological materials, such as ceramics, bone, metal, glass, and stone, then match each to appropriate handling, cleaning limits, and basic conservation steps. You’ll build a solid recording routine using notes, context sheets, photos, and simple sketches, plus proven methods for labeling, bagging, boxing, and temporary storage that reduce breakage and contamination.

By the finish, you’ll understand how your decisions in the trench shape post-excavation research, interpretation, and heritage conservation. That means fewer preventable losses, cleaner datasets, and better collaboration with specialists in conservation and museum collections. Whether you’re an archaeology student, a volunteer, or starting in cultural heritage work, these skills translate immediately to surveys, excavations, and rescue archaeology projects. Want to work with confidence on your next site? Start the course today and turn careful handling into professional field competence.