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Festival of Archaeology Competition

Take part in our Festival of Archaeology haiku competition to win a bundle of nature and archaeology themed prizes.

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The 2026 Festival of Archaeology competition takes the form of poetry, but not just any poetry, a HAIKU

 

For this year’s Festival of Archaeology we’d like you to try your hand at an archaeology and nature themed haiku invoking images of the archaeological world. From excavations to landscapes and artefacts or visits to your favourite site – we can’t wait to read or hear your Haiku in the English language.

What is a haiku? 

A poem of Japanese origin with seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.

 

Here are some examples. Sounding out the words might help you count the syllables, we have broken down the first example to help you.

Preserved in red clay A thumbprint that matches mine Suspended in time
On the horizon View ancestral stones and stars Cosmic alignment
Mud, mud, mud, mud, mud Sometimes a bit of sunshine Trench weather defined

 

The prizes

There are two prize bundles to be won, one for each category. 

18+ Prize Bundle

18+ Prize Bundle

Under 18s Prize Bundle

Under 18s Prize Bundle

 

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How do I enter?

The competition runs from 1 July to 3rd August. There are two categories 8-17 (up to the day before your 18th birthday) and aged 18 and above. All entries should be written in the English language.   

  • Use the form on this website to enter
  • Email festival@archaeologyuk.org with your entry, name, postcode and date of birth if under 18.  Put Competition in the email title.

You can use the #FOAHaiku to share your submission on social media but you must use the form or send an email to officially be judged and have a chance to win our fabulous prizes.

The Festival team will collate all the entries, and the best five will be sent to our judges who will pick the winners. The final five will be shared on the Festival of Archaeology website a Festival resource.  The judges decision is final. 

The closing date is 31 August 2026. 

Entrants must be aged 8 or over and based in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

Don't forget to read the full Terms and Conditions below before you submit your entry. By entering this competition you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions. 

 

Submit your answer here

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Terms and Conditions

 

  1. The competition is open to residents of the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.  
  1. CLOSING DATE: The last day to send in submissions for the CBA Festival of Archaeology Haiku competition is Monday 3 August 2026. 
  1. Your entry must be something with a clear connection to archaeology.  
  1. The winner of each category will receive a prize bundle.  
  1. Entrants must be aged 8 and over.  
  1. Each entrant may submit up to five entries. If more entries are received the judges will only consider the first five entries.  
  1. Entries should be submitted via the online form on the Festival website - https://www.archaeologyuk.org/festival/festival-of-archaeology-competition.html.  
  1. Alternatively, you can enter by emailing your entry to festival@archaeologyuk.org. Please include the 'Haiku Competition' in the subject line.    
  2. We encourage you to post a picture of your Haiku on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #FOAHaiku and tag us @archaeologyuk but only haiku's submitted via the online form or by email to festival@archaeologyuk.org will be entered into the competition and go forward for judging. 
  3. Let us know which age category you are entering  
  4. If you are under 18 you will need a parent, carer or guardian to submit the form or email your entry. Your entry should include your name and age on 3 August 2026. First names and the category will be the only identifier used publicly.
  1. Parents, carers or guardians of entrants under 18 are deemed to have accepted these rules when entering.   
  1. All entries entered must be the original work of the entrant. 
  1. The winning entries will be judged by the Festival of Archaeology team and collaborators. The judges’ decision will be final. 
  1. The winners will be notified through the platform they used to enter (i.e. Facebook, Twitter or email) and will be notified by 18 August 2026.  
  1. Copyright of the Haiku will remain with the entrant, though the Council for British Archaeology will be granted non-exclusive rights in perpetuity for publication, digitisation, exhibition and broadcast. This may include the granting of reproduction rights to selected third parties for promotional or other uses. 
  1. By entering this competition, you agree that your entry may be used by the CBA Festival of Archaeology and the Council for British Archaeology, including but not limited to, our websites, Facebook Twitter and Instagram accounts. 
  1. Personal data submitted will only be used in relation to the competition. Your information will be securely deleted once the competition is complete and no later than 31 January 2028.  For more information see the CBA’s privacy policy.  
  1. Entry to the competition confirms acceptance of the above rules. 
  2. Winners and commended entrants of previous competitions are welcome to submit a haiku to the competition, however, will not be eligible to be selected as this year’s winner or as a commended entry.
  1. You can withdraw from the competition at any time by contacting festival@archaeologyuk.org.