Getting Involved
This page contains ideas and links to websites where people can find out how to get involved with archaeology and the wider historic environment in Greater London.
There are a number of ways of getting more involved in archaeology.
Join your Local Society
Local archaeology or history societies provide a range of talks, visits, publications, and fieldwork activities, in which you can learn more about your local archaeology and history, and get practically involved with it.
Archaeology societies are listed by the Council for British Archaeology CBA Local Societies and Current Archaeology Local Societies;
and, by London borough, by the Museum of London, see: London Archaeology .
Also see BBC Archaeology Get Involved.
In addition local civic amenity societies have an active interest in the broad historic environment, particularly historic buildings and conservation areas. See Civic Trust, London for a list of London societies
Join your County Society
Four county archaeological societies cover their historic counties that fall wholly or partly in Greater London, many of these societies have been running for more than 150 years. They too offer programmes of talks, visits, and publications, and publish annually a journal including detailed archaeological excavation reports and historical articles
Essex Archaeology and History, who publish Essex Archaeology and History
Kent Archaeological Society (KAS), who publish Archaeologia Cantiana
The London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, who publish their Transactions
Surrey Archaeological Society, who publish Surrey Archaeological Collections
Join Specialist Interest Groups:
The Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society (GLIAS)
London Topographical Society
London Parks and Gardens Trust
Thames Estuary Partnership
Wealden Iron Research Group
Join the Council for British Archaeology
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is a national amenity society that aims to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic envirionment. It publishes the popular magazine British Archaeology, and lists opportunities for fieldwork, and other ways to get involved with archaeology, as well as a variety of guidance on its website. Membership is grouped by regions that also issue newsletters, arrange conferences and other activities
**Newly Formed 2009 CBA London a CBA group for Greater London, offering a special deal on the London Archaeologist and British Archaeology joint subscription.**
Attend Museum Events
The Museum of London Group and local museums put on a variety of events about archaeology in London, aimed at adults and children. Untold London shows the diversity of interests reflected in London’s museums, and where you can find out more about events, collections and archives. You can search for a local museum, or a list of all museums in London at 24hour Museum - London; or Britain Express - London Museums Gazeteer.
Festival of British Archaeology
The Festival of British Archaeology is co-ordinated by the CBA every year, in July, with a special programme of events based around archaeology put on throughout the country.
Participate
Discover the Thames Discovery Programme and their activities aimed at local communities, investigating the archaeology of the Thames foreshore. Become a `FROG'!
Partipate in volunteer digs and other fieldwork opportunities around the country, including London, listed on Current Archaelogy UK Digs; or see the London Archaeologist magazine `Practical Archaeology' listings, and individual local archaeological societies’ websites.
There are also opportunities to gain work placements or to volunteer with professional archaeological practices, particularly working with archaeological finds, see MoLAS Specialist Services and PreConstruct Archaeology Contact.
Archaeological Jobs are advertised by the Institute of Field Archaeologists IFA; the Council for British Archaeology; and the British Archaeological Job Resource.
Visit Museums, Ancient Monuments, and Historic Buildings
For museums links see the section above on Attending Museum Events.
Some Ancient Monuments you can visit in Greater London and other historic sites are English Heritage Properties, also see our Sites to Visit section.
Search for Historic Buildings to visit in London, including National Trust: Thames and Solent Region; or Britain Express - Historic Visitor Attractions
Open house London Weekend in September allows access to many historic buildings, some not usually open to the public.
Study - Extra-mural studies, evening classes, university courses
Birkbeck CollegeBirkbeck College - Archaeological Studies degree and diploma, and non-award courses:
Birkbeck College - Discovering London Diploma evening classes
Birkbeck College - Archaeological Walks in London
Birkbeck College - Archaeology Summer Training Excavation
The University of London Extra Mural Archaeological Society (EMAS)
London: The Institute of Archaeology at UCL - Undergradute and Graduate Courses
Museum of London Learning - for Families, Communities, Adults, Schools and Learning Online
Workers Educational Association Courses open to all – search here for archaeology courses in London
TORC is an information service for anyone interested in courses and training in archaeology, from GCSE and A level courses through to specialised training for professional archaeologists; including TORC Distance Learning Courses
BAJR Education Section - Another source of general advice
For Children and Schools
Young Archaeologists' Club - run by the Council for British Archaeology join the club;
Norman answers your questions on archaeology
Portable Antiquities Scheme - Fun for children & resources for teachers
BBC History for Kids
BBC Archaeology Pages - Inside Archaeology – Excavations and techniques,
plus a Timeline, Play the Quiz, and Play the Dig Game
BBC History Pages - How to Build an Iron Age Roundhouse
Time Team - Archaeology Uncovered – A-Z of Archaeology, brief descriptions of archaeological periods, plus a Timeline; and Schools Page
Museum of London - Learning for schools
Flints & Stones: Real Life in Prehistory: Explore the world of hunter gatherers – with `I am an archaeologist’
ICAT: Archaeology in education: `Go with the Mole’ – for young archaeologists; Archaeology in Education Service – for teachers
BAJR - Educational Games More links to games and fun things to do, as well as educational resources, with star ratings!
Read
The London Archaeologist – quarterly subscription magazine – keeps you up to date with recent discoveries and general studies of London’s archaeology.
A full bibliography of books and articles on London’s archaeology and history can be found at the Centre for Metropolitan History - London's Past on-line, including the Bibliography of Archaeology in Greater London.
Some general works on London’s Archaeology include:
The Archaeology of Greater London, Museum of London 2000
London Under Ground: The Archaeology of a City, eds Haynes et al, Oxbow 2000
London's Archaeological Secrets: a world city revealed C. Thomas et al Yale/MoLAS 2003
Heart of the City: Archaeology at 1 Poultry Peter Rowsome, MoLAS 2000
Below Southwark: the archaeological story C. Cowan L. B. Southwark; SLAEC; MoLAS 2000
Lambeth unearthed: an archaeological history of Lambeth G. Gower & K. Tyler SLAEC; MoLAS; Lambeth Archives Dept. 2003
Life and death in London's East End: 2000 years at Spitalfields C. Thomas MoLAS 2004
Merton Priory D. Saxby MoLAS/L.B.Merton 2005
Hidden Depths – An Archaeological Exploration of Surrey’s Past Roger Hunt, Surrey Archaeological Society 2002
From Ice Age to Essex – A history of the people and landscape of East London Greenwood et al, MoLAS 2006
Londonium and beyond: essays on Roman London and its hinterland for Harvey Sheldon eds. J. Clark et al CBA 2008
Roman London Dominic Perring, Seaby 1991
Saxon London: an archaeological investigation Alan Vince, Seaby 1990
The Archaeology of Medieval London Chris Thomas, Sutton 2002
Museum of London Archaeology Service Publications have issued an extensive range of archaeological monographs and popular studies of London.
Histories of many parts of London, including the Victoria County History series, can be found at British History Online - London.
(Last update: 6th June 2009 - Robert Whytehead)
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