The British Archaeological Awards are a showcase for the best in UK archaeology and a central event in the archaeological calendar. Established in 1976, they now encompass six Awards, covering every aspect of UK archaeology.
The purpose of the Awards is to advance public education in the study and practice of archaeology in all its aspects in the United Kingdom, and in particular by the granting of awards for excellence and/or initiative. The Awards are committed to recognising significant contributions to knowledge and the importance of research, professional standards and excellence, involvement of local communities in the study of archaeology, effective dissemination and presentation of archaeological knowledge, and innovation and originality of approach.
The 2012 British Archaeological Awards were announced at a ceremony held on Monday 9 July 2012 at the British Museum in London. The ceremony was also the launch event for the 2012 Festival of British Archaeology, a huge celebration of archaeology run by the Council for British Archaeology with more than 750 events taking place across the UK.
The next awards will be held in 2014 with nominations opening in late 2013.
The highly commended nominations for each award (from the short-lists announced on 30 May 2012) are given on the Awards 2012 page, with photographs and videos from the event now available.
Best Archaeological Project
For a programme of research advancing the knowledge and practice of archaeology in the UK
2012 winner: Must Farm Palaeochannel Excavations 2011, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire - Cambridge Archaeological Unit, University of Cambridge
Best Community Archaeology Project
For a programme of research advancing the knowledge and practice of archaeology in the UK
2012 winner: Thames Discovery Programme
Best Archaeological Book
For a book publication which increases understanding of the past and introduces it to new audiences
2012 winner: Gathering Time: Dating the Early Neolithic Enclosures of Southern Britain and Ireland by Alasdair Whittle, Frances Healy and Alex Bayliss. Published by Oxbow Books.
Best Public Representation of Archaeology
For a television or radio programme, ICT program or web site, newspaper
or magazine feature which stimulates interest, advances understanding
and changes perceptions of the past
2012 winner: Time Team, Series 18, Episode 1, Reservoir Rituals, Tottiford, Devon - Videotext Communications Ltd
Best Archaeological Innovation
For an initiative likely to lead to significant improvements in
archaeological practice which facilitate new perceptions of the past
2012 winner: The Grey Literature Library: Geospatial Search and Digital Object Identifier (DOI) assignment - Archaeology Data Service
Best Archaeological Discovery
For a discovery which advances understanding and stimulates public imagination of the past
2012 winner: Must Farm Palaeochannel Excavations 2011, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire - Cambridge Archaeological Unit, University of Cambridge
Lifetime Achievement Award
2012 winner: Professor Mick Aston
A presentation recognising a project of special merit was made to representatives from Operation Nightingale: a ground-breaking archaeology project on Salisbury Plain which helps aid the rehabilitation of soldiers from The Rifles who have been injured on operations in Afghanistan.
Please see Awards 2012 page for further information relating to each Award, including the original shortlisted entries from the nominated projects for each Award, with photographs and videos from the Awards ceremony now available. For further guidance on the 2012 Awards or any other query please contact the Administrator.
Sarah Howell
Administrator for BAA
c/o Robert Kiln Charitable Trust
15a Bull Plain
Hertford SG14 1DX
Tel: 01992 554962
Email: robertkilntrust@btconnect.com
Association of Archaeological Illustrators & Surveyors; Association for Environmental Archaeology; Association for Industrial Archaeology; Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers UK; British Archaeological Association; British Universities Film & Video Council; Cadw; Cambrian Archaeological Association; Council for British Archaeology; Council for Independent Archaeology; English Heritage; Historic Scotland; ICON; Institute for Archaeologists; Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum; Northern Ireland Environment Agency; Portable Antiquities Scheme; Prehistoric Society; Rescue; Royal Archaeological Institute; Society of Antiquaries of London; Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; Society for Medieval Archaeology; Society of Museum Archaeologists; Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology; Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies; Subject Committee for Archaeology
The Robert Kiln Trust, The Society of Antiquaries of London, The British Museum, English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw, Glasgow Museums
The British Archaeological Awards is a registered charity number 296919.
| Chair: | Deborah Williams |
| Honorary Secretary: | Dr Ellen McAdam |
| Treasurer: | Gill Andrews |
| Other trustees: | Christopher Catling, Andrew Davidson, Brian Davison, Louise Ennis, Peter Hinton, John Lewis, Paul Stamper |
| Administrator: | Sarah Howell |
This web site is hosted by the Council for British Archaeology. Last updated: 14 March 2013 by Mike Heyworth.