Find all of our JAM updates here, from our weekly JAMCam blogs, mission events and photos relating to the dig.

The story so far

In May 2025 Groundwork South & North Tyneside was awarded £249,188 from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund to launch the Jarrow Archaeological Mission (JAM) at Jarrow Hall.

JAM officially reopens the archaeological investigations around the Jarrow monastic site for the first time since the 1960s, when Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp led excavations at both the Jarrow and Wearmouth monasteries. Finds from these digs are what established the original museum in Jarrow Hall House in the 1970s, which then expanded as Bede’s World in 1993 before becoming the Jarrow Hall we know today in 2016. The museum is honoured to be able to reopen the excavations in Jarrow, continuing the legacy of the late Dame Rosemary Cramp and beginning a new cycle.

In September 2025 we dug into this second round of excavations, led by Research, Learning and Education Manager Dr. Marco Romeo Pitone and Archaeology Coordinator Lucy Mclay, to explore the previously omitted area of Drewett’s Park. Phase 1 of our dig lasted four weeks, during which we were joined by local community groups, residents, students, Route2Work learners and volunteers who helped us on site to uncover layers of Jarrow’s history.

Digging wrapped up at the end of September with finds from Phase 1 being further analysed and processed throughout the less excavation-friendly months. You can read more and keep up to speed with project updates and highlights below.