Finds Group

Background

The first meeting of the Institute for Archaeologists Special interest group for finds – otherwise known as the IfA Finds Group took place on November 1989. The function of the group is to represent the interests of finds workers to IfA council and in all the activities of the Institute.

Finds Group advises council on finds related issues and reviews relevant documents etc. it also acts as a focus for all members of the IfA who have an interest in finds. The group produces a newsletter and holds seminars and meetings, to discuss the latest issues. We have also produced the documents Guidelines for Finds Work and the Standards and guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials.

Because of the broad field we work in the group focuses on themes such as practice and the relationship between finds and other areas of archaeology. On occasion we may act as a pressure group, but the main aim is to promote finds work constructively within the structure of our profession.

Join the Group

Membership of the Finds Group is open to anybody with an interest in Finds - in the broadest sense of the word. IfA members may join the group for free, while non-members of the IfA are asked to pay a £10.00 fee to cover mailing costs. If you are interested in joining the group, please email groups@archaeologists.net.

We also now have a facebook group, you can join by following the link below (if you are a registered facebook user):

Committee

Birgitta Hoffmann (Chair) Teresa Gilmore (Secretary) Andrew Jones (Ordinary Committee Member) Michael Lewis (Ordinary Committee Member) Stephen Brunning (Newsletter Editor)

Activities

IfA Finds Group meetings and seminars are open to non-members, but priority will be given to members for training sessions, where numbers may have to be limited.

We aim to bring out at least two newsletters a year. The newsletter includes an editorial reporting the activities of the Finds Group, reviews of seminars and conferences, contact details and importantly a dates for the diary section. This alerts members to conferences and day schools with a finds theme organised by other groups and organisations.

List of specialists

The Group is setting up of a list of specialists which will be available online for all those group members interested: archaeological units, contractors and other specialists. If you are interested in being listed in such a directory please contact groups@archaeologists.net.

Newsletters

• Spring 2011