![Richard Osgood with his Archaeologist of the Year award [Crown Copyright|MOD2019]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2019/03/RIichard-osgood-AOTY-pic.jpg)
Heritage is of huge importance to DIO and there are unrivalled opportunities to find archaeological sites in unspoilt landscapes thanks to the long-term military presence on the Defence training estate.
MOD has an obligation under UK and international law to manage the Defence estate, including the protection of archaeology. My team is very aware of its duty to fulfil statutory obligations on behalf of the nation, not least because our long-term presence is adding its own layer of archaeology and the military units we work alongside hold their own history
What we’ve been up to
![Skeleton remains found at Rat Island, Portsmouth during the Exercise MAGWITCH excavation [CrownCopyright|MOD2018]](https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2019/03/rat-island-2.png)
We have also been providing heritage advice to inform the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme, which recently updated Parliament on its progress.
Benefits of archaeology
I’m passionate about the work I do with former and current Service Personnel on the Operation Nightingale programme. Working with those that have served the country at home and overseas really does emphasise the benefits of archaeology – the power of being in an open field, with good company, testing one’s mind and body.
Several of the WIS participants on the programme have gone on to study for degrees, to work as professional archaeologists and to form life-long friendships. Some have also made discoveries of national importance that feature in national museums such as the Barrow Clump drinking vessel which is on display at the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, where it will soon be joined by hundreds of other artefacts. The Saxon Horse and Warrior Burial, which was excavated at RAF Lakenheath, can be found at Mildenhall Museum.
It was a real surprise to win the Archaeologist of the Year Award earlier this month, albeit a lovely one. Winning this award surely indicates that DIO is doing right by heritage, our military personnel, and the statutory bodies.
1 comment
Comment by Joan Price posted on
For Richard Osgood
The predecessor for Operation Nightingale that I mentioned was the Roman theatre in Volterra, which was dug by mental hospital patients.