CIfA Archaeological Archives Group - ‘Beyond Deposition: Rethinking Archives in 2026 and Onwards’.

Description

The CIfA Archaeological Archives Group (AAG) would like to invite you to join us for this year’s day conference and AGM which is being held on Thursday 24 September 2026 at Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory St, York, YO1 6ET.

You can download the full agenda and timings here or read through them below.

Conference abstract

The theme is Beyond Deposition: Rethinking Archives in 2026 and Onwards

Too often archaeological archive work has been treated as a relatively simple, end stage project task, focused on the “deposition” of material and records once fieldwork and reporting are complete. This practice has reinforced a view of archives as static products passed on to receiving institutions and rarely visited thereafter. 

Protection by record may be delivered in name but to what public benefit? 

Current challenges - digital-first excavation, complex datasets, sustainable approaches, fragmented systems -and the need for inclusive and community-centred practice demand a fundamental rethink. 

Is this a pivotal moment for archaeological archives: Can archaeological archives better capture the human experience in the archaeological endeavour? How can heritage archives more widely be made into more dynamic tools, capable of intersection with diverse but relatable information that opens out wider narratives and discourse? As interpreters of the past what do we need to know when we look outside the boundary of given professional heritage practice? Who can we learn from? 

This event will include contributors from CIfA SIGs and colleagues from across the heritage sector to explore the full lifecycle of archival heritage information, new collaborative models and the idea that deposition is not the endpoint of data creation. By looking beyond deposition, this conference aims to reimagine archives as active, ethical and resilient systems that continue to generate research value, accountability and public benefit long after the project has closed.

Programme

The core of the programme is formed of seven papers to be given across three sessions that address different aspects of the subject matter of the conference abstract.  

The first set of papers will be preceded by a keynote address by Professor Martin Carver (Emeritus Professor of Archaeology, University of York). Time has been allowed for the conference to include a general discussion and concluding address.

The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Archaeological Archives Special Interest Group Annual General Meeting will take place during the conference.

The venue will be open for registration from 9.00am

Agenda

Price

• £40 CIfA member or Archives Group supporter
• £60 non-member (includes 1 year of Archives Group supporter membership)

Refunds

A full refund may be given on cancellations up to two weeks before the event. As the venue requires two weeks' notice for catering requirements, within two weeks of the event, refunds may only be given in exceptional circumstances. To request a refund, please email us at conference@archaeologists.net.