Current Archaeology Live! 2026

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Current Archaeology Live! 2026 will be here before we know it, and tickets are selling fast. The conference, again held in partnership with University College London’s Institute of Archaeology, will be on 28 February (Saturday) and will return to the UCL Institute of Education, near Russell Square in London. There, you will be able to hear expert speakers sharing the latest discoveries from the UK and abroad; explore a wealth of exciting stalls in the ever-popular Archaeology Fair; and admire the winning image and runners-up from our sister-magazine Current World Archaeology’s Photo of the Year competition.

There will also be a pop-up exhibition, Women of Romano-British Archaeology, with 12 banners spotlighting female trailblazers in the history of our field. The display presents biographies including those of the ‘mother of Romano-British archaeology’ M V Taylor; influential individuals like Jocelyn Toynbee and Tessa Verney Wheeler; author of popular archaeological travelogues Jessie Mothersole; and artist Elizabeth Hodgson, among others.

The following pages include details of the timetable and the nominees for the CA Awards. The results will be announced at 5pm, after the keynote speech, which this year will be given by Professor David Breeze, co-author of Hadrian’s Wall, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its publication. The Awards will be presented by archaeologist and presenter of The Great British Dig Natasha Billson.

HOW TO BOOK

Tickets for Current Archaeology Live! 2026 are now on sale. This year we’re offering tickets at an early bird rate of £49 until 15 January, after which prices will rise to £65. To book, visit http://www.archaeology.co.uk/live  

SPEAKERS CONFIRMED TO-DATE (not in order of appearance)

Three sessions of talks and a keynote address will run from 9.15am 4.45pm, with two coffee breaks and a pause for lunch.

Diane Abrams (Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal) and Claire Harris (MOLA) – Archaeology: informing the past, present, and future of UK Parliament 

Dr Sophia Adams (British Museum) – The massive Melsonby Hoard

Derek Alexander and Dr Daniel Rhodes (National Trust for Scotland) – Pioneering spirit: exploring the archaeology of early whisky-making in Scotland

Professor Aidan Dodson (University of Bristol) – The archaeology of early literate societies and history-writing: the case of ancient Egypt

Professor Andrew Gardner (UCL) – Excavating a legionary storehouse at Caerleon Roman Fortress

Dr Tatiana Ivleva (Newcastle University) and Dr Rebecca Jones (National Museums Scotland) – Women in Romano-British archaeology: not so ‘rude’ and not so ‘terrible’!

Professor Kevin MacDonald (UCL) – An archaeologist of West African empires encounters Roman Britain at Norton (Suffolk), with some thoughts on what makes a villa

Professor Sarah Semple (Durham University) – Recent excavations at Yeavering

Naomi Sewpaul (Time Team/Allen Archaeology) – Excavating with water: the importance of environmental archaeology

Keynote speaker: Professor David Breeze

ARCHAEOLOGIST OF THE YEAR

We spoke to our three nominees for Archaeologist of the Year 2026 to find out their highlights of the year and of their careers so far, and their thoughts on the future of archaeology.

Dr Jane Kershaw

What’s your proudest archaeological achievement?

For my PhD, I showed through finds of Scandinavian-style jewellery in England that the Viking settlement was not limited to elite men, but involved women, and indeed entire families, of varying social background. I’m proud of this work because it revealed the presence of a population group that had, until then, been largely invisible and demonstrated that the Scandinavian migration must have been large-scale. This was important given the dominant view of conquest by a small, military elite. It was also one of the first to harness the terrific resource that is the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and to demonstrate the importance of public-finds data. The PAS offers a completely new lens on the past and has been transformative for the early medieval period.

What’s your archaeological moment of 2025?

If I’m allowed a little leeway, it was taking up the newly created position of Gad Rausing Associate Professor of Viking-Age Archaeology at Oxford (in late 2024). The post was generously funded by Gad Rausing’s daughter, Kirsten, in honour of her father’s archaeological achievements. And it was established in perpetuity: it will always exist! That is terrific for the subject, and archaeology in general. It’s a huge honour to be the first post-holder.

How do you view the future of archaeology?

With ambition and enthusiasm! I’d like to highlight two aspects in particular. The first is that these are extraordinary times for the discovery of our past, from large-scale laser-scanning through to the sequencing of individual genomes. When integrated with archaeological fieldwork, these technologies will allow us to ask, and answer, deeper questions about past people and landscapes. The second is about the benefits to all involved of community archaeology. Community archaeology has been incredibly successful at building social cohesion, skills, and identity. It is informing wider public debate on issues such as climate change and resilience.
We must protect and champion it, so that it continues to build momentum in years ahead.

Dr Kris Lockyear

What’s your proudest archaeological achievement?

Leading CAGG’s surveys at Verulamium, especially completing the survey of the whole of the available area inside of the town with magnetometry (in 2017), and finding the ‘palace’ with GPR survey (in 2022). Having seen the results of the surveys at Wroxeter initially published in 2000, I really wanted to survey Verulamium. It took 13 years to get the resources together and set up the group, and another nine years of survey to get where we are now. There is still more to do!

What’s your archaeological moment of 2025?

My predecessor as Director of the Welwyn Archaeological Society, Tony Rook, had excavated part of Building 3 at the Dicket Mead Roman villa (Welwyn, Hertfordshire) in 1972, prior to it being buried under the A1(M). We always knew there was more, and last summer WAS and CAGG managed to map it with GPR. Seeing the plan appear on my computer screen one evening was a real ‘yippee!’ moment.

How do you view the future of archaeology? 

On a positive note, I’m really excited about how developing technologies – aDNA, isotope analyses, LiDAR, photogrammetry, multichannel GPR, and so on – are contributing to our understanding of the past. I am, however, worried about the future. Attacks on the planning system by successive governments, leading to the erosion of the Green Belt and the sidelining of important archaeological and environmental concerns; the decline in membership of local societies like WAS; the ongoing problems with funding at our universities leading to the closing of internationally recognised departments like that at Sheffield – these are all matters of grave concern.

Dr David Neal

What’s your proudest archaeological achievement?

Having had a career of some 60 years, inevitably I have experienced many spectacular events, including helping on the excavation of the Iron Age burial at Welwyn directed by Dr Ian Stead. With so many wonderful artefacts, it was a most exciting time. My proudest archaeological achievement, however, is the completion, with Dr Stephen Cosh, of the Roman Mosaics of Britain 2002-2024.

What’s your archaeological moment of 2025?

My archaeological moment of 2025 was the publication of my autobiography, A Mosaic of Recollections, by Archaeopress.

How do you view the future of archaeology?

I am concerned that, with competitive tendering, projects will be done ‘on the cheap’ and methods of recording will be mechanise and personal observation curtailed. We must look, look, and look again to fully understand the evidence in front of us.

BOOK OF THE YEAR

An Irish Civil War Dugout – Tormore Cave, County Sligo: archaeology, history, memory
Marion Dowd, Robert Mulraney, and James Bonsall Archaeopress, CA 419
This book describes the first dedicated research excavation ever conducted on an Irish revolutionary site. 

Baltinglass and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland
James O’Driscoll, Alan Hawkes, and William O’Brien Wordwell, CA 420
Well-written and beautifully illustrated, this work has significantly added to our understanding of Irish hillforts. 

Digging Lincoln: an archaeological memoir
Michael J Jones Archaeopress, CA 421
A unique personal account offering a fascinating ‘view from the trenches’ that highlights archaeological discoveries from the 1970s onwards.

Wicked Problems for Archaeologists: heritage as transformative practice 
John Schofield Oxford University Press, CA 422
This timely, thought-provoking book explores how archaeologists can help address global issues from climate change to social inequality.

Cultural Landscapes of North-east Scotland: collaborative research in history and archaeology
Colin Shepherd (ed.) Oxbow, CA 423
This volume brings together an exciting range of contributions and new insights, consciously foregrounding and celebrating their diversity. 

A Land Won from Waste: Scotland AD 400-1400
Richard D Oram Birlinn, CA 425
This is a thorough and digestible environmental history of medieval Scotland, extensively researched yet accessible to a wider lay audience. 

Stone Lands: a journey of darkness and light through Britain’s ancient places
Fiona Robertson Little, Brown Book Group, CA 426
Blending personal narrative with hard science, this book will engage and inspire a whole new generation of megalith enthusiasts. 

Medieval Warhorse: equestrian landscapes, material culture and zooarchaeology in Britain, AD 800-1550
O H Creighton, R Liddiard, A K Outram, K Kanne, and C Ameen (eds)
Liverpool University Press, CA 427
This book deftly combines disciplinary perspectives to paint a fuller picture of its complex subject, laying a firm foundation for further study.

Life in the Viking Great Army: raiders, traders, and settlers
Dawn Hadley and Julian Richards
Oxford University Press, CA 427
An important volume that provides a readable and stimulating basis for discussion, illuminating a seminal moment in English history. 

Excavations in the Roman Legionary Fortress at Caerleon: the Priory Field store building
Peter Guest and Andrew Gardner Archaeopress, CA 429
This impressive research report boasts a stellar cast of specialists, sets new standards for finds reporting, and is peppered with scientific analyses and discussion.

RESEARCH PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Fit for an emperor? Excavating a monumental building from Roman Carlisle
Uncovering Roman Carlisle/Carlisle Cricket Club/SLR/Cumberland Council, CA 418
Ongoing excavations are piecing together the layout, and exploring the possible purpose, of the largest Roman building yet found along Hadrian’s Wall. An intriguing story of luxury living, grand designs, and imperial links is emerging.

Fields of gold: understanding the Snettisham Hoards
Julia Farley (British Museum) and Jody Joy (Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge), CA 419
This significant research draws together excavations, conservation, and scientific research focused on Snettisham’s Iron Age hoards, revealing how their contents were made and used, and why they may have been buried.

Bronze Age brutality? Exploring evidence for inter-personal violence at Charterhouse Warren
R J Schulting, T Fernández-Crespo, J Ordoño, F Brock, A Kellow, C Snoeck, I R Cartwright, D Walker, L Loe, and T Audsley, CA 420
This thought-provoking study examines the remains of dozens of men, women, and children who were thrown down a natural shaft c.4,000 years ago, offering powerful insights into their lives and violent deaths. 

From Bayeux to Bosham: tracing ‘lordly sites’ from early medieval England
D W Wright, O Creighton, S Chaussée, D Gould, and M Shapland, CA 421
This innovative and interdisciplinary research illuminates power centres associated with the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy that were swept away by the Norman Conquest – including a site linked with Harold Godwinson.

Words on the wave: tracing Continental connections in early medieval Ireland
National Museum of Ireland/Stiftsbibliothek Sankt Gallen, CA 424
Insightful research offering vivid insights into how people, ideas, and objects travelled between early medieval Ireland and continental Europe.

Taking stock of the pot: creating and recreating the Glenfield Iron Age cauldrons
ULAS/MOLA/Hector Cole, CA 424
An inspired combination of fieldwork, scientific research, and experimental archaeology has revealed important information about how a rare group of Iron Age cauldrons were made, maintained, and used. 

If walls could talk: reconstructing Roman London’s fashionable frescos 
MOLA, CA 427 
Analysis of the largest collection of painted Roman wall plaster ever found in London is shedding colourful light on the tastes of Londinium’s elites. 

A tale of two hoards: interpreting unusual Bronze Age collections from Carnoustie and Rosemarkie
GUARD Archaeology Ltd, CA 428
Painstaking micro-excavation and scientific research have shed invaluable light on the contents of two unusual metalwork hoards from Bronze Age Scotland, as well as possible motivations for their burial.

RESCUE PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Under the infirmary: revealing the secrets of medieval Berwick
Cura Terrae, CA 419
Archaeological work carried out ahead of the construction of a new hospital has revealed significant new evidence of Berwick’s medieval defences, enhancing our understanding of this border town’s martial past.

The basilica in the basement: rediscovering the heart of Roman London
MOLA, CA 422
Excavation in central London has revealed traces of the city’s first Roman basilica, where officials presided over the settlement’s legal, commercial, and administrative affairs c.2,000 years ago.

The Melsonby Hoard: exploring unprecedented insights into Iron Age Yorkshire
Durham University/British Museum/Historic England, CA 423
Highlighting how ‘best practice’ and interdisciplinary cooperation can enhance understanding, this huge hoard was swiftly reported by its finder, allowing full excavation and the preservation of details of its burial context. 

Fields and farmsteads: organising the early Roman frontier region in South Yorkshire
Archaeological Research Services, CA 424
Excavations of an Iron Age landscape that transformed into carefully planned field systems and farmsteads in the early Roman period raises intriguing questions about indigenous innovation versus imperial land grab.

From warship to whaler: solving the mystery of a Sanday shipwreck
Wessex Archaeology/Sanday Heritage Group/Orkney Archaeology Society/Historic Environment Scotland, CA 426
When a shipwreck was exposed after storms on an Orkney beach, prompt and careful recovery, combined with archaeological detectivework with a strong community aspect, has enabled its story to be told and its identity to be revealed.

Straight to the point: investigating Roman swords and extensive settlements in the Cotswolds
Cotswold Archaeology/Historic England, CA 426
Following the discovery of two Roman cavalry swords during a metal detecting rally, wider excavations uncovered an extensive Iron Age settlement, a possible high-status Roman building, and clues to why the blades had been buried.

Little End: tracing the archaeology and social history of a long vanished community
Pre-Construct Archaeology, CA 427 
Excavations near Eaton Socon revealed a row of 19th-century labourers’ cottages which, combined with detailed research, have illuminated the experiences of the working-class inhabitants who once lived there. 

The people of St Peter’s: encountering a community from 19th century Blackburn
Headland Archaeology, CA 428
One of the largest cemetery excavations of its type outside London has recovered the remains of almost 2,000 men, women, and children, with scientific and historical research shedding light on their lives and identities.

ALL THE FUN OF THE (ARCHAEO)FAIR

Our exciting Archaeology Fair is back for another year, offering a diverse range of stalls for you to browse in the breaks between sessions. Make sure you stop by to learn about travel, fieldwork, and study opportunities, as well as specialist archaeological services – and to pick up a book or several!

This year’s fair will include our partner for the event, UCL Institute of Archaeology, as well as leading archaeological publishers Archaeopress. For those interested in archaeological travel, you can find out more about expert-led tours and heritage-themed holidays from the likes of Andante Travels, Hidden History Travel, and Kirker Holidays. Information on archaeological fieldwork and studies can be gained from Kent Archaeological Field School and the Royal Archaeological Institute, while you can also learn about the services offered by AS Geospatial Surveys Ltd. There is sure to be something to interest everyone – watch out for further updates in future issues of CA. 

HOW TO VOTE

As ever, our awards ceremony recognises the best in archaeology, as voted for by you the reader. Please vote online at http://www.archaeology.co.uk/vote. Voting is now open! 

Grateful thanks to this year’s award sponsors: