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.
For guidance on the 2012 Awards or any other query please contact the Administrator.
BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL AWARDS 2012
Announced on 9 July, British Museum, London.
The winners and highly commended nominations for each Award are given below.
Photographs and videos from the Awards ceremony are also available.
Best Archaeological Project
For a programme of research advancing the knowledge and practice of archaeology in the UK
Judges were looking for evidence of the following:
- Contribution to knowledge of the past in the UK by archaeological means
- Strong research focus
- Commitment to high archaeological standards and ethics as, for
example, set out by the Institute for Archaeologists in its various
public documents (http://www.archaeologists.net/codes/ifa)
- Approaches designed to promote public education and benefit
- Demonstrated effective dissemination and presentation, including commitment to publication and archiving
- Innovation and originality of approach, methodology and/or presentation
Winner: Must Farm Palaeochannel Excavations 2011, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire - Cambridge Archaeological Unit, University of Cambridge
Highly commended:
Best Community Archaeology Project
For a programme of research advancing the knowledge and practice of archaeology in the UK
Judges were looking for evidence of the following:
- Project should be driven by amateur archaeologists and/or societies
and should involve the local community, including new audiences,
throughout to enhance public education
- Contribution to knowledge of archaeology in the UK
- Strong research focus
- Commitment to recognised professional standards and ethics as,
for example, set out by the Institute for Archaeologists in its various
public documents (http://www.archaeologists.net/codes/ifa)
- Effective dissemination and presentation throughout the project, including commitment to publication and archiving
- Innovation and originality of approach, methodology and/or presentation
Winner: Thames Discovery Programme
Highly commended:
Best Archaeological Book
For a book publication which increases understanding of the past and introduces it to new audiences
Judges were looking for evidence of the following:
- Contribution to knowledge and advancement of archaeology
- Clear and stimulating style
- Presentation/design and production standards
- Accessibility, attracting a wider audience
- Originality of approach and/or subject matter
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.
Highly commended:
- Great Excavations: Shaping the Archaeological Profession edited by John Schofield. Published by Oxbow Books.
- The Thames through Time series of four volumes by Anthony Morigi, Danielle Schreve, Mark White, Gill Hey, Paul Garwood, Mark Robinson, Alistair Barclay, Philippa Bradley, Geoge Lambrick, Tim Allen, Paul Booth, Alex Smith and Anne Dodd, Series editor Anne Dodd. Published by Oxford 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
Judges were looking for evidence of the following:
- Contribution to spreading knowledge of archaeology
- Includes recent research or provides a new interpretation of old research
- Enhances public education and understanding in relation to archaeology
- Clear and stimulating presentation
- High design, production and editorial standards
- Accessibility and appeal for its intended audience
- Originality of approach
Winner: Time Team, Series 18, Episode 1, Reservoir Rituals, Tottiford, Devon - Videotext Communications Ltd
Highly commended:
Best Archaeological Discovery
For a discovery which advances understanding and stimulates public imagination of the past
Judges were looking for evidence of the following:
- Contribution to knowledge of archaeology in the UK
- Commitment to recognised professional standards and ethics for
recovering and reporting the discovery and subsequent dissemination
- Quality of collaboration with others
- A project which captures the public's imagination
Winner: Must Farm Palaeochannel Excavations 2011, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire - Cambridge Archaeological Unit, University of Cambridge
Highly commended:
Best Archaeological Innovation
For an initiative likely to lead to significant
improvements in archaeological practice which facilitate new perceptions
of the past
Judges were looking for evidence of the following:
- Contribution to knowledge or to dissemination of knowledge of archaeology in the UK
- Strong research focus
- Effective dissemination and presentation
- Excellence in project design, experimental technique, imaginative investigations, innovative solutions, resourcefulness
Winner: The Grey Literature Library: Geospatial Search and Digital Object Identifier (DOI) assignment - Archaeology Data Service
Highly commended:
Lifetime Achievement Award
BAA trustees also have the option of awarding a Lifetime
Achievement Award to an individual who has, over their working life
has:
- Made a substantial contribution to our knowledge of archaeology
- Demonstrated originality of approach, methodology and presentation
- Shown commitment to recognised professional standards and ethics
- Been effective in dissemination and presentation of research
- Supported and inspired colleagues, students or members of the public
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Professor Mick Aston
Other projects of merit may be recognised at the discretion of the trustees of the British Archaeological Awards.
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.
