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A big welcome to all amateur archaeologists, archaeological societies, and all who contribute to the study of the past.

 

About us

The Council for Independent Archaeology aims to promote archaeology that is done independently of government money, in the belief that independent archaeologists have much to contribute by the introduction of fresh ideas and new approaches.

The council welcomes all sources of  support and help for archaeology, whether from professionals, academics, amateurs - or even from those who do not consider themselves to be archaeologists at all: any millionaire wishing to take part in archaeology, click here!

Our main activity at present is to support amateur archaeologists, principally local archaeological societies, through the holding of annual conferences and congresses.


 

Independents Day 2010 will be held at Waltham Abbey on Saturday the 14th of August 2010 by kind invitation of the Waltham Abbey Historical Society. Local societies in North London and the Home Counties are invited to make presentations. Offers should be sent to Barbara Harker, the Hon Sec of the Waltham Abbey Historical Society, wa_hist_soc@yahoo.co.uk, or to Keith Foster the Hon Sec of the CIA, telephone 01332 704148


The Council for Independent Archaeology holds regular conferences at which local archaeological societies can come together to discuss matters of mutual interest and to hear of the achievements of other societies.

Two day residential congresses alternate with one-day conferences which are entitled Independents Day. The 13th two-day congress was held on the 28th – 30th August 2009 at Buxton: click here for a full account. Click here for pics

Independence Day 2008 was held at Monmouth while the 2007 Congress was held in Beverley in Yorkshire in a meeting hosted by the East Riding Archaeological society: click here for details. Earlier conferences are listed here.

We hold conferences and meetings to bring independent archaeologists together. This is the only national opportunity for local societies to come together to learn about the problems and achievements of other societies. We hope to see you at one of them - ideas for new topics for discussion always welcome!


Resistivity Meter

We help local independent archaeologists to do archaeology notably by the production of our low-cost Resistivity Meter. Production has now ceased, but click here to be put on the waiting list

We encourage

We work for better collaboration between amateurs and professionals - notably in our very successful 'Valletta' campaign.

Find an archaeological Society

Click here for details of local societies, and advice on where to find suitable digs, on the Current Archaeology web site.

The Valletta Convention

The Valletta Convention of the Council of Europe appears to aim to outlaw independent archaeology. Read here our analysis of this deeply flawed Convention.

Background

Click here to read about the background to the council and our past activities

Contact us

Click here to find out who we are.

Join us!

 

Last updated: 31st December 2009

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News

Independents Day 2010 will be held on the 14th August at Waltham Abbey, when many independent archaeological societies in North London and the Home Counties will be presenting their work and achievements.

The last Congress of Independent Archaeologists was held at Buxton, on the 29th - 30 August 2009

Independents Day 2008 was on the 30th August at Monmouth. Click here for the a report on the day's events.

What have we been up to? A full report on the 2007 Congress is now available, in full colour!

 


Our low-cost Resistivity Meter was a huge success, and over 100 machines were delivered.

However production has now ceased due to the EU regulations on lead soldering. £20,000 is needed for a redesign: any offers?


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