LONDON.- London’s long and turbulent past is right under your feet. And this summer Museum of London Docklands will be digging it up as we celebrate a summer of archaeology with The Big Dig, a specially designed family experience which runs from 11 July to 6 September 2009.

Wannabe Indiana Joneses will be kitted up with a hard hat and trowel and get to search for genuine artefacts in their own trenches, just like real archaeologists! Our experts will be on hand to show them how to record, analyse, identify and interpret finds, which all form a vital part of a bigger puzzle. Participants will then down tools and see how their discoveries give us evidence of ancient buildings. Piece by piece the fascinating world of early Londoners will be uncovered.

Along the way, The Big Dig’s young history hunters will learn what archaeology tells us about the lives of people from the past, where finds go once they’ve been uncovered and how we know how old objects are. Plus, as proof of their new found archaeological skills and knowledge, all those taking part will receive an official certificate to take home. Each session lasts for one hour.

Tickets for The Big Dig include same day admission to the Museum. With an all access pass visitors can spend the rest of the day making a splash in Mudlarks, our interactive children’s gallery which brings the history of London’s docks to life. Or they can head into the Museum galleries and see spectacular finds unearthed in London, from Roman flagons to World War II bombs.

The Big Dig runs from 11 July to 6 September 2009 at Museum of London Docklands.