Society for Museum Archaeology

07/05/2024

We're thrilled to launch our new project survey 'Trowel and Error'.

The survey and your responses are integral in helping us and the archaeological community in understanding how archaeology can be more accessible.

You can take the survey by scanning the QR code or following this link 👉 https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3TMymaPKbCDS6mW

The survey is part of the ‘Public User Needs Survey 2’ project run by the CBA in collaboration with MOLA and with funding support from Historic England.

We will be posting project updates on our website, on a brand new Trowel and Error page, but you can also keep up to date by signing up to our CBA newsletter, here! 👉 https://www.archaeologyuk.org/newsletter-sign-up.html

19/04/2024

Join us!

Did you know that we have members from across the UK, Europe and beyond?

Our membership is open to everyone, and comes with the opportunity to get involved in our community of finds specialists through meetings, trips and talks.

Signing up is easy and can be done anytime online on our website here: https://www.findsresearchgroup.com/membership.htm

📷 On the image we see a 14th-century openwork pilgrim rattle.

16/04/2024

Looking for something to read this weekend? We've made the Active Archaeology feature of open access!

Now you can read all about the innovative social prescribing project developed by Arran Johnson and their team in partnership with City of York Council and the York Centre for Voluntary Service.

Check out the article here 👉 https://bit.ly/4cWnz6I

Plus, did you know that Arran was last years winner of 'Community Archaeologist of the Year' at the Marsh Awards? Nominations for this year are now open! Don't miss your chance to recognise outstanding contributions to archaeology.

Nominate someone today! 🏆👉 https://bit.ly/3Jf9zr6

16/04/2024

Our free online 'This is Archaeology' lecture with Mark Knight is coming this week! 📅

Join us as Mark takes us on a journey through Must Farm pile-dwelling settlement – and learn about its discovery, context, and implications about life in Bronze Age Fenland. Showing that the exceptionally well-preserved pile-dwelling settlement was anything but exceptional!

Don't miss out, book your spot here 👉 https://bit.ly/441tTFD

12/04/2024

Reburial of Archaeological Remains - Join the Conversation! 📢

Historic England is currently seeking input on the revised Appendix 5 of the Preserving Archaeological Remains guidance, recently updated to reflect evolving practices and insights.

They eagerly seek perspectives from all corners of the archaeological sector, with a call to organisations and grassroots archaeologists engaged in temporary excavations. Specifically, they're interested in understanding how reburial practices are managed within different communities.

You can share your insights directly with Historic England by the 26th April via their feedback form, available here 👉 www.historicengland.org.uk/about/what-we-do/consultations/guidance-open-for-consultation/

01/03/2024

SMA Small Grant application window is open from today!

Do you or your organisation have a winning idea for a small project related to archaeological finds or collections? Will your project help to promote engagement with archaeological collections in your local area? Perhaps you’d benefit from a mentoring scheme with another museum or collection? Have you been inspired to take your collection online and need support to develop remote engagement?

The Society for Museum Archaeology (SMA) is pleased to offer a modest grant to support projects or activities that fulfil the Society’s values, and which promote the understanding and appreciation of archaeological museum collections or the development of museums staff and volunteers. All details to be found on our website

Grants Grant applications Please note our next grant application window will open on 1st MARCH 2024 Do you or your organisation have a winning idea for a small project related to archaeological finds or collections? Will your project help to promote engagement with archaeological collections in your...

18/12/2023

24/10/2023

SMA Conference 2023 has been postponed
http://socmusarch.org.uk/conference/

11/09/2023

WIN AN SMA AWARD 2023
It’s time to celebrate archaeology in museums once again! We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Society for Museum Archaeology Annual Awards For Excellence 2023. More information can be found here:

Annual Awards for Excellence 2023 WIN AN SMA AWARD 2023 It’s time to celebrate archaeology in museums once again! We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Society for Museum Archaeology Annual Awards For Excellence 2023. It’s easy to apply, and winners will presented with...

25/08/2023

Call for papers SMA Conference 2023! Representation Matters:
Equity, Inclusivity and Sustainability in Museum Archaeology
Annual Conference 2023 to be held at the National Museum Cardiff – Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd and the Museum of Cardiff on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November 2023. All details of how to offer a paper can be found on our website here: http://socmusarch.org.uk/conference/

06/07/2023

We are pleased to announce that The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and Corbridge Roman Town have both been successful in achieving project funding through applications to our small grants scheme - read more about the projects here: http://socmusarch.org.uk/grants/

Grants Society for Museum Archaeology grant awards Successful applicants announced! SMA is pleased to have been able to support the following applicants and their projects as follows: Ironbridge Archaeology Digitisation Project Submitted by The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Between 1981 and 2010 the...

21/06/2023

Exciting new job opportunity -Treasure Registrar, National Museum Cardiff
Contract: Fixed-term contract until March 2024, 22.2 hours per week
Salary: Grade D, £16,140 – £20,171.95 per annum
Closing date: 30 June 2023 (by 5pm)
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post. https://museum.wales/jobs/current-jobs/?id=1806

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post.

28/04/2023

Today, the CBA remembers with fondness Professor Dame Rosemary Cramp CBE, Emeritus Professor, University of Durham and former CBA President and Honorary Vice President, who has passed away at the age of 93.

She will be remembered for her services to archaeology and heritage, her influence and inspiration as an educator and her impact on excavation and research. We pass on our sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues.

An inspirational woman in archaeology, passionate about the subject from a young age, you can read more about her background via the following TrowelBlazers article: https://trowelblazers.com/2014/05/08/rosemary-cramp-from-trowelblazing-teen-to-dbe/

🖼 Beka Smith for Society of Antiquaries of London

27/04/2023

🦴 Human and Animal Remains: A Comparative Approach 🦴
The University of Sheffield is offering professionals, students and archaeology enthusiasts a two-day course exploring bioarchaeology and forensic science.

This short course will focus on a comparison between human and animal remains and illustrates some basic tools used to distinguish human remains from those of other animals.

📅 14 to 15 of September 2023

For more information email [email protected] or contact the University of Sheffield on social media.

Sheffield Zooarchaeology Short Course

22/04/2023

We have a new initiative! We are pleased to be able to offer funding awards up to the value of £750 annually. We welcome applications from individual and institutional SMA members. Applicants do not need to have a paid position with a museum but should demonstrate public benefit in their application. All details, T&C's and closing date on our website http://socmusarch.org.uk/grants/.

18/04/2023

A lovely element of our committee meeting in Birmingham yesterday saw Kat Baxter present the CBA 2022 Award for Excellence to Gail Boyle who received it on behalf of Bristol Museums. Sadly the team wasn't able to attend the ceremony in Dublin,

17/04/2023

Members take note! Subs can be paid via the Paypal form on our website -you know we are worth it!! http://socmusarch.org.uk/membership/

29/11/2022

The Archaeological Achievement Awards is TONIGHT! 🚨
We are so excited to be celebrating at Dublin Castle tonight, as hosted by National Monuments Service - Archaeology in partnership with OPW - Office of Public Works along with some fantastic people from across the sector.

You can also join us via our live stream! Follow this link to watch the AAA live tonight 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHw3dplyExCvHVwPlwDnFTQ

24/10/2022

🚨 We are excited to announce the shortlists for the Archaeological Achievement Awards 2022! 🎉

View the full list, with more information about all projects, here 👉 https://www.archaeologyuk.org/what-we-do/celebrating-archaeology/archaeological-achievement-awards/archaeological-achievement-awards-shortlist.html

Congratulations to those who have been shortlisted! Thank you to everyone who applied: we received a variety of high-quality entries and shortlisting was a true challenge 👏

Winners from all five categories will be in with the chance of winning our Outstanding Achievement Award.

Our awards ceremony will be hosted by National Monuments Service - Archaeology OPW - Office of Public Works and will be held in Dublin Castle on Tuesday 29 November – we can’t wait! 🎉

Many thanks to our sponsors: Royal Archaeological Institute Past Preservers University Archaeology UK Archaeological Management Solutions - AMS AOC Archaeology Group

06/10/2022

Free to access

05/10/2022

Congratulations to all our Awards for Excellence 2022 winners! Details of all the winning projects can be found on our website http://socmusarch.org.uk/conference/annual-awards-for-excellence/

Annual Awards for Excellence 2022 EXHIBITION, DISPLAY OR INTERPRETATION PROJECT WINNER: Worthing Museum, the National Trust and the South Downs National Park Authority For their project ‘Cissbury Ring Goes Digital’. What’s it about? The South Downs landscape is full of iconic archaeological si...

09/09/2022

It is with great sadness that the Society for Museum Archaeology learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and offers its sincere condolences to members of the Royal Family.

02/09/2022

SMA is aware of planned train strikes that coincide with its annual conference (15/16 September), but is still intending to go ahead as planned. The conference is being livestreamed and we have a great virtual ticket offer. Head to our website at www.socmusarch.org.uk/conference

19/08/2022

Bookings open for our 2022 Conference in September. Prices have been kept very low given the cost of living issues. All details to be found on our website! http://socmusarch.org.uk/conference/

Conference & Awards The Museum as a Resource Annual Conference 2022 to be held at the University of Nottingham Museum on 15th & 16th September We want to use our 2022 conference to enable attendees to reconnect with one another by exploring museum archaeology as a resource for everyone. The theme is...