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Category: Members News

  • Commercial Archaeological Geophysics Seminar, July 2026

    The Commercial Archaeological Geophysics Seminar returns in 2026

    Being organised by FAME member Magnitude Surveys. See the announcement below:

    After a 12-year hiatus, CAGS will take place at the Bradford Arts Centre on the 9th and 10th of July, Bradford, West Yorkshire. 

    To make this day as successful as the last, we need input from across the sector. There have been many advances in technology, shifts in the UK and abroad on the political spectrum, and changes within the wider sector since 2014. There will be many interesting papers on these topics, and it would make the day even more useful if as many of you as possible were present to actively participate and bring your experience and knowledge to the table; even better, present a paper. The goal of the Seminar is to improve not only the quality of output across the sector but also the understanding and use of the documents and results once the send button is clicked on the final report.

    For those who did not attend the 2014 seminar, it brought together those who conduct surveys, those who commission them, those who set and enforce the standards, and those who use the data and reports. The day attracted a broad cross-section of the Archaeological sector from the UK and Europe, where we discussed changes, debated ideas, and shaped the future. The day consisted of 4 sessions, each with a roundtable discussion at the end. We will return to this format in 2026. Please see the website for the 2014 proceedings.

    Call For Papers and Participation.

    We have decided against restricting papers to predetermined session titles and instead have open sessions. You decide the subjects you wish to address. When the paper proposals come in, they will be grouped by theme.  Equipment, technique, novel developments, A.I., legislatory considerations & governance, commissioning survey,  use of reports and results in the planning process, the view from outside the U.K., etc., etc.

    Papers will be 15 minutes long, followed by up to 5 minutes for clarifications. To close each session, there will be a 15-minute discussion with all presenters and the chair, during which the chair will take questions from the audience. This should allow some interesting discussions. 

    Abstracts should be no more than 200 words and can include up to three images. The submission deadline will be Friday, 3rd of April. Please submit your abstract as a pdf to 2026@cagseminar.org

    Due to time constraints and depending on the number of papers, we may ask some submissions to be presented as posters. If you feel your submission may be better suited as a poster, please make this clear at the time of submission of your abstract.

    Contact CAGS at 2026@cagseminar.org and check the website at www.cagseminar.org for registration and further details, which will be updated throughout the year.

    Hope to see many of you here in Bradford,

    CAGS Organising Committee

  • FAME Member update: four members now Heneb

    Heneb the new pan-Wales Trust for Welsh Archaeology was formed on 1 April 2024 following the merger of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts and FAME members – Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, Dyfed Archaeological Trust, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.

    Its Board of Trustees met for its inaugural meeting on 26th April in Welshpool, opening a new chapter for archaeology in Wales. Heneb’s mission is:

    “Inspiring communities to connect with their past by discovering and safeguarding the
    archaeological heritage of Wales.”


    Heneb becomes responsible for managing the Regional Historic Environment Records, which contain information on over 25,000 archaeological and historic sites and monuments across Wales. As a combined agency it also provides archaeological planning services, heritage management advice, and the community engagement programs previously offered by the 4 regional trusts, making it one the largest heritage management organisations in the UK with over 70 staff.

    Dr Carol Bell, the former Acting President of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, has been appointed as the Chair of Trustees of Heneb and Richard Nicholls, formerly of the Arts Council of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru assumed his role as its inaugural Chief Executive on 15th April 2024.

    “With the formation of Heneb, Wales now has a national charity for archaeology. This is a truly exciting moment for archaeology in Wales as we combine the skills and expertise of the former regional trusts to become a significant heritage organisation. Heneb has both responsibility for the Historic Environment Record in Wales, but we can also provide the full range of commercial services required to provide solutions to planning needs and heritage site project management.”

    Richard Nicholls

    For more information about Heneb and its activities, please visit the trust’s website at
    www.heneb.org.uk

  • Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland Magazine 2023 Call for Submissions

    Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy has opened for the Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2023 publication. It seeks to showcase the value Archaeology brings to Scotland and report on the delivery of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy’s key aims. This year will be the sixth issue, following on from our successful issues of the past five years, and a five year review, which you can find on the Archaeology Strategy Website. This year’s issue will be fully digital, available for free online and in an accessible format.

    They would particularly welcome content on its three main themes –

    • Delivering the transition to net zero
    • Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places
    • Building a wellbeing economy

    but welcome any news or stories you may have as well as information on upcoming initiatives and events from the wider archaeological community.

    They have room for submissions of no more than around 300 words at the most, but they would also welcome short pieces of news or notices around 50 words in length. Submissions should have at least two high-res images to illustrate the story, and more if possible. For guidelines on your submission, including image captions, copyright, and our editing process, please refer to their notes for contributors page. 

    Please send your submissions to ArchaeologyStrategy@hes.scot no later than the 7th of July. They hope to launch the magazine online in early October.

    This is a great chance to highlight your work and the great work development-led archaeology does in Scotland.

  • Build for the Future is back for 2023. Connecting the construction, heritage, property & sustainability businesses

    The annual event is returning for its fourth year on Tuesday 23rd May 2023 at the Lincolnshire Showground, following the successful events in 2020, 2021 & 2022, which have connected hundreds of businesses.

    Hosted by Heritage Lincolnshire and Archaeological Project Services and working in partnership with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce this event has already grown significantly from the small event that started in February 2020. 

    The annual event is directly marketed and aimed at those within the Construction, Property, Heritage, Sustainability and Trade Industries across the East Midlands and its goal is to become the biggest in this UK region for supporting and connecting businesses.

    To encourage more businesses to connect and network at the event, new areas are being introduced for the 2023 event which include:

    • 60 + exhibitors from across the industry
    • Local Authorities from Lincolnshire and boarding counties.
    • CPD led talks and seminars throughout the event to develop learning and understanding within the industry.
    • The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce Construction and Property Network event will continue which attracted over 80 businesses in attendance in 2022.
    • Local authorities will be exhibiting to inform about their latest economic growth and development programmes throughout the East Midlands and how businesses can get involved.
    • Practical demonstrations of the latest equipment and technological advances in the industry such as geophysics equipment.

    ***NEW FOR 2023***

    To compliment Build for the Future and to keep in line with Heritage Lincolnshire’s  charity mission, 2023 will see the introduction of a brand new sister event ‘Heritage for the Future; East Midlands.’

    This event has been created to encourage local businesses to find out more about saving their local heritage and how they can support local community groups and organisations.  A ‘Meet the Funder’ event will welcome some of the national bodies to talk to people about how to get funding and encourage new businesses to become involved as contractors, as well as professional bodies from across the UK in all industries and membership organisations.

    The CPD Talks and seminar programme will run alongside Build for the Future’s with a heritage led aspect, opening up the heritage world for anyone to get involved.

    Practical demonstrations of traditional heritage skills will be on display and local colleges and universities will be encouraged to come along to have a go and find out how they can get involved in the local industry.

    Event Organiser, Hannah Thompson says, ‘Connecting businesses is so important and to keep the work available within our local areas is vital. To be able to bring together local businesses and enable them to network, exhibit and learn all under one roof is just amazing.  We wanted to make sure both events are accessible to all sizes of businesses, encourage support from national bodies and we want to continue that ethos as we grow even bigger year on year. We are really looking forward to bringing this event back to the Showground, bigger and better for 2023.’

    For more information about the events, please go to www.buildforthefuture.co.uk

    Free delegate tickets can be booked online at Build for the Future: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/build-for-the-future-east-midlands-exhibition-2023-tickets-520280461867 and Heritage for the Future: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heritage-for-the-future-east-midlands-2023-tickets-522509609307

  • Build for the Future; East Midlands

    FAME member Archaeological Project Services is happy to say that Build for the Future; East Midlands is back!

    The annual event is returning for its third year on Tuesday 17th May at the Lincolnshire Showground, following the successful event in September 2021. The event welcomed over 60 exhibitors from across the industry, and hundreds of delegates on the day.

    Hosted by Heritage Lincolnshire and Archaeological Project Services, sponsored by Arion & Arion Shop UK and working in partnership with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce this event has already grown from the successful event of February 2020. 

    The annual event is directly marketed and aimed at those within the Construction, Property, Heritage, Sustainability and Trade Industries across the East Midlands and its goal is to become the biggest in this UK region for supporting and connecting businesses.

    2021’s event will showcase four zones; Heritage, Construction, Property Services and Adaption to Climate Change, where industry professionals will be exhibiting throughout the day for you to connect and network.

    Event Organiser and Business Manager for Heritage Lincolnshire, Hannah Thompson says, ‘Connecting businesses is so important following the past two years we have all been through.  To be able to bring together local businesses and enable them to network, exhibit and learn all under one roof is just amazing.  We wanted to make sure this event was accessible to all sizes of businesses which is why the prices are lower than average for an exhibition and we want to continue that ethos as we grow. We are really looking forward to bringing this event back to the Showground, bigger and better for 2021 and post Covid.’

    Everyone is welcome to attend the day with over 60 exhibitors, a full talks programme and The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their monthly Construction and Property Network event free of charge which last year welcomed over 70 businesses.

    For the full list of exhibitors and information about the event, please go to www.buildforthefuture.co.uk

    To register to be a delegate please go to www.buildforthefuture.co.uk

  • Build for the Future 2022

    Build for the Future 2022

    FAME member, Archaeological Project Services is putting on their third East Midlands Construction sector trade fair. The event will be on Tuesday 17th May 2022, hosted by Heritage Lincolnshire and Archaeological Project Services, sponsored by Arion & Arion Shop UK and working in partnership with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.

    This annual event is directly marketed and aimed at those within the Construction, Property, Heritage, Sustainability and Trade Industries across the East Midlands.

    The main aim is to connect businesses together within these industries, to ensure that they are accessible to businesses of all sizes and capacity.

    More details here: https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/explore-with-us/events/exhibition-2022

  • Beyond the isolated farmstead – relationships between households and settlements in the Iron Age: A research seminar by FAME member Oxford Archaeology

    ‘Almost every family living solely by its own means sooner or later discovers it has not the means to live’ (M Sahlins, Stone Age Economics)

    Despite this observation, the notion that many Iron Age settlements were self-sufficient farmsteads remains pervasive in Britain. Chris Hayden, Matt Brudenell and Andy Greef will look at recent OA excavations in East Anglia, Essex and the Upper Thames Valley, and they will be joined by a panel of distinguished experts, chaired by Niall Sharples, to explore some of the ways in which Iron Age households and settlements were related to each other, and how social relationships beyond the household were constructed in the Iron Age. There will be the opportunity to submit questions to the panel during the seminar. For further details and to register, click here: https://oxfordarchaeology.com/research-publication/iron-age-research-seminar

    The third OA Research Seminar will be held on Thursday 30th September from 4.30-6.30pm.

    If you can not make it, then the recording of the seminar will be placed on the Oxford Archaeology YouTube channel and you can view it there- https://www.youtube.com/user/oxfordarchaeology

  • Archaeology teaching grants in England will NOT be cut by 50%

    FAME welcomes the announcement by Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, that:

    ‘Having considered the consultation responses and the issues they highlighted, I have concluded that archaeology should be included within the OfS’s Price Group C1.1 subject list.’

    This means the small grant funding, that is primarily used to cover the costs of field and lab training at English Universities will be maintained. FAME believes that this funding for training will help the sector and support our vision – To strive for a business environment where archaeological organizations can operate safely and sustainably, the well-being of employees is prioritised and archaeologists feel empowered to build careers and expertise, so that collectively we can conserve and advance knowledge of the past for the benefit of society.

  • Maximising Media Coverage for Your Archaeology Story

    Find out how to attract media coverage for your archaeology update, project or discovery, a FREE training event.

    Register and full details here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maximising-media-coverage-for-your-archaeology-story-tickets-163064272629

    About this event

    “The process and results of archaeological discovery should be shared widely and provide benefits for the people of Scotland. ” – Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy

    Enjoy a session delivered by Maiya Pina-Dacier, Head of Community at DigVentures, a social business that specialises in crowdfunding, crowdsourcing and digital methods to increase public participation in archaeological research.

    In 2020, DigVentures released a story about a Viking-era board-game piece found at Lindisfarne which spread like wildfire. In addition to being covered by The Guardian, Forbes, Smithsonian, and The Times, it reached international papers from Denmark to India. But this wasn’t the first time one of their stories received local, national and international attention.

    Speaking from experience, Maiya will talk about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to getting your archaeology news picked up by radio stations, newspapers and more. Whether you’re recruiting volunteers for a small event or announcing a nationally important discovery, you’ll leave with a better sense of how to get the fundamentals in place.

    Maiya’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A session to cover any key issues or questions in more detail.

    This webinar is part of Scotland Digs 2021, the annual campaign coordinated by Dig It! to promote the summer dig season.

    #ScotlandDigs2021

    ————————

    WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

    This event is designed for anyone who works/volunteers in Scotland’s archaeology sector.

     

  • FAME welcomes new member Magnitude Surveys

    We are happy to welcome a new member to FAME, Magnitude Surveys.

    Magnitude Surveys is a social enterprise and independent provider of archaeological geophysics to the commercial, community, research, and education sectors. Founded in 2015, the company has since grown to become one of the largest suppliers of specialist geophysical services within the archaeology and heritage sector. Based in Bradford, we are active across the UK, undertaking surveys ranging from small-scale community-archaeology or research-led projects, to large-scale infrastructure schemes.

    Find out more on their website: https://www.magnitudesurveys.co.uk/