An archaeologist who helps budding excavators dig up archaeological sites has been recognised for a top award.

Amanda Clarke, Associate Professor at the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology, has been nominated as Current Archaeology’s Archaeologist of the Year for helping students excavate sites up and down the UK since she joined Reading in 1997.

Under her watch, more than 2,000 students have graduated from the University armed with the skills needed to become professionally trained archaeologists.  

Amanda said: “It’s a joy to teach skills I love to people I care about.

"To build a field school from scratch and give so many people the opportunity to discover the trowel has given me great pleasure.

"Each year, I am truly envious when I watch our students experience the excitement of excavation for the first time."

Amanda has recently directed field schools with the most recent being in Cookham, Berkshire, where an Anglo-Saxon settlement and associated cemetery was uncovered.

You can vote for the Archaeologist of the Year here.