The possibility of unearthing hidden treasures must be the main reason for working on an archaeological dig. But joining a project is also a good way of discovering about culture and history, learning new skills and meeting people with similar interests.

The Council for British Archaeology, an educational charity, has various fieldwork opportunities, and Archaeology Abroad has some useful fact sheets including Digging Abroad in a Gap Year and Archaeology in Southern and Eastern Asia.

The Archaeological Institute of America has a website with links to projects. It also has a good section on how to prepare yourself for a dig, before you go and at the site.

Earthwatch takes volunteers to places such as Easter Island.

You do not have to get your hands dirty to appreciate archaeology, though.

Companies such as Andante Travels and Brightwater Holidays offer tours of archaeological sites led by specialists, and the Field Studies Council runs holidays exploring archaeological ruins in the UK.