WU Archaeology Weekend 2018
Waterloo, Battlefield, Belgium – July 14 and 15, 2018
Waterloo Uncovered (WU) is the groundbreaking charity that combines veteran support and recovery with a world-class archaeology excavation of one of the world’s most famous battlefields - Waterloo.
Finds of international importance are uncovered by WU every summer, attracting interest from academics and enthusiasts alike.
As well as excavating the battlefield, and educating the public about archaeology, history and the Battle of Waterloo, Waterloo Uncovered supports serving and veteran military personal.
In July 2018, WU will conduct its fourth annual excavation, with a team of over 90, 1/3 of whom will be veterans. Many injured and facing the daunting prospect of restarting life after the military.
Participation in WU has been shown to support the veteran’s education, wellbeing, recovery from physical and mental injury (including PTSD), and, the often uncomfortable and dangerous, move from service into the civilian world.
This year WU will run its first Waterloo Uncovered Archaeology Weekend – an outreach and education event, taking place on Saturday 14 July, that will allow visitors from across Europe, for the first time, to experience the charity’s exciting archaeological work. As well as a guided walk of the a battlefield on Sunday 15 July.
Excavation Open Day: Saturday 14th, 10.00 – 17.00
Hougoumont FarmPop-up museum and finds handling
Digging in Action
Trenches will be open, with archaeologists and veterans in them, digging and finding new and important artefacts in front of the visitors. Ends at 16.00.
ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY TOURS (11.30 & 14.30)
Supported by the 1815 Battlefield Guides, guided tours of WU’s excavations will run at 11.00, 14.00 and 16.00 (in French and English). A self-guided 30 min walking tour will also be available to take any time.
Napoleonic Reenactors
Reenactors will bring the past to life, showing off their uniforms, military skills and knowledge. Musket demonstrations will be held at 12.00 and 15.00.
Napoleonic Wargame
A table top battle, played with 28mm model solders, that visitors can participate in, to test their tactical skills and see how they might have fought in 1815.
Free parking is available at the Memorial 1815, and a free shuttle bus throughout the day to Hougoumont Farm.
Guided battlefield walk: Sunday 15th, 10.00 & 12.15
Starting and finishing at Mont-Saint-Jean Farm, guiding in French and English. Long and short walk options.An ideal morning out for those wanting to see more of the battlefield. Starting and and finishing at Mont-Saint-Jean, the walk will be guided by official battlefield guides in French and English.
A long and a short walk options will be available. Both walks will start at different times from the same location, Mont- Saint-Jean. They will combine to walk the last 3 miles together, and end at Mont-Saint-Jean at the same time, around 14.00.
The short walk is manageable for wheelchairs.
Long Walk – 7 Miles (4 hours)
Starting at Mont-Saint-Jean at 10.00.
0 - Mont-Saint-Jean
1 - Memorial 1815
2 - Hougoumont
3 - La Belle Alliance
4 - Plancenoit
5 - Papelotte
Short Walk – 3 Miles (2 hours)
Meeting at Mont-Saint-Jean at 12.15.
You will be bussed to Plancenoit where you will meet with the long walk group.
0 - Mont-Saint-Jean
- BUS TO PLANCENOIT -
4 - Plancenoit
5 - Papelotte
- The going is generally good for both walks, and (if it isn’t raining) trainers will be ideal footwear, if you don’t have walking-boots. The short walk is manageable for wheel chairs.
- Please bring some water, a hat and sun cream if it is sunny. Which we hope it will be!
- Dogs, friends and guests all welcome.
- Parking is available at Mont-Saint-Jean.
- There will be also some light refreshments available at the end of the walk. There is also the museum to look around.
Some of those walking will be doing so to raise funds for WU.
You can donate and fundraise via our Just Giving profile:
Any Questions?
For more information, you can contact Liam Fitzgerald, the Waterloo Uncovered Archaeology Weekend coordinator by email on: liam@waterloouncovered.com
Many thanks to for their support!
