THIS month it is National Archaeology Day which celebrates its contributions to society.

Archaeological organisations around the world present archaeological programs and activities for people of all ages and interests.

There are many ways to take part in the day including a family-friendly archaeology fair, a guided tour of a local archaeological site, a simulated dig, or a presentation from a visiting archaeologist.

International Archaeology Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in October, although participating events occur throughout the month of October.

Archaeology is is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture.

It can be considered both a social science and a branch of the humanities.

Archaeologists study human prehistory and history, from the development of the first stone tools up until recent decades.

It is is distinct from palaeontology, which is the study of fossil remains.

Archaeology is particularly important for learning about prehistoric societies, for which, by definition, there are no written records.

Prehistory includes over 99% of the human past, from the Paleolithic until the advent of literacy in societies around the world.

Archaeology has various goals, which range from understanding culture history to reconstructing past lifeways to documenting and explaining changes in human societies through time.

These photos show how archaeology has impacted life here in Cumbria. There is a wealth of history to be explored in the county, particularly the vast Roman history which spanned centuries.