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uclarchaeology.bsky.social
UCL Institute of Archaeology
@uclarchaeology.bsky.social
1.6K followers 120 following 260 posts
This is the official Bluesky account for the UCL Institute of Archaeology one of the largest & most highly regarded centres for #Archaeology, #Heritage & #Museum studies.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology

📸 (c) James Tye
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by UCL Institute of Archaeology
mattpope.bsky.social
Archaeology is often reduced to finds in the media. But for me the most important thing are the people I get to work with.
Here are some highlights from '25 starting with @uclarchaeology.bsky.social staff & students who worked with @butserancientfarm.co.uk to make #Archaeotech2025 happen. 🏺1/5
team photo of staff and students in a green field at Butser.
January 2, 2026 at 8:38 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
🎉 Our year in open days, student fieldwork and field trips in London, Suffolk, Sussex and Hampshire!

It’s been a great year! Thanks to @ucl.ac.uk @butserancientfarm.co.uk British Museum archives, @nattrustarch.bsky.social and many more!

See you in 2026!

#ThinkDifferentlyThinkArchaeology
December 19, 2025 at 8:44 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
The @ucl.ac.uk -led CAAL project has reached an important agreement with Kazakhstan to establish a unified digital platform for the historical & cultural heritage of Central Asian countries.

Read more here:
📲 bit.ly/45h72I1

#LocalAndGlobal
Creation of a Central Asian Cultural Heritage Digital Platform
The UCL-led CAAL project has reached an important agreement with Kazakhstan to establish a unified digital platform for the historical and cultural heritage of Central Asian countries.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
We would like to wish all our @ucl.ac.uk Institute of Archaeology (IoA) & @archsoutheast.bsky.social Archaeology South-East (ASE) friends & colleagues, past & current staff & students, Season’s Greetings & all best wishes for 2026 🎉

🎁 bit.ly/UCLIoAASE25 2025 UCL IoA Newsletter!

#LocalAndGlobal
An image of one of the UCL buildings in winter 2024. The pink neon sign reads 'Happy Holiday Season' Photo by Charlotte Frearson UCL IoA
December 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Elizabeth Baquedano @ucl.ac.uk Institute of Archaeology was invited to contribute to the new BBC series providing her significant expertise on The Aztecs.

More information and how to watch the show here:

📺 bit.ly/44n9koI

#FocusFriday #LocalAndGlobal
Elizabeth Baquedano on Civilisations: Rise and Fall
Elizabeth Baquedano (UCL Institute of Archaeology) was invited to contribute to the new BBC series providing her significant expertise on The Aztecs.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 1:11 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Tonight @welwynarchsoc.bsky.social

Dr Kris Lockyear will be giving the following talk:

'My Life in Archaeology: the first 50 years' tonight at the United Reformed Church, Church Road, Welwyn Garden City, 7.45pm free for members / £3 for visitors

#VoteKris #FocusFriday

🗳️ archaeology.co.uk/vote
Poster for the talk by Dr Kris Lockyear 'My Life in Archaeology: the first 50 years' tonight at the United Reformed Church, Church Road, Welwyn Garden City, 7.45pm £3 for visitors.
December 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
A collaborative archaeological team, including @ucl.ac.uk researchers, has found the earliest evidence of early humans intentionally making fire, nearly 350,000 years earlier than previously thought.

📲 bit.ly/4pS0Wq9

#FocusFriday #LocalAndGlobal
Archaeological excavations of the deeply-buried 400, 000-year-old landsurface at Barnham. At Barnham, concentrations of intensely reddened and cracked flint heated to high temperatures indicate the locations of ancient campfires. Picture credits: Pathways to Ancient Britain Project and Jordan Mansfield Archaeological excavations of the deeply-buried 400, 000-year-old landsurface at Barnham. At Barnham, concentrations of intensely reddened and cracked flint heated to high temperatures indicate the locations of ancient campfires. Picture credits: Pathways to Ancient Britain Project and Jordan Mansfield Archaeological excavations of the deeply-buried 400, 000-year-old landsurface at Barnham. At Barnham, concentrations of intensely reddened and cracked flint heated to high temperatures indicate the locations of ancient campfires. Picture credits: Pathways to Ancient Britain Project and Jordan Mansfield
December 12, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Reposted by UCL Institute of Archaeology
uclnews.bsky.social
A collection of artefacts showing the oldest evidence of early humans intentionally making fire, nearly 350,000 years earlier than previously thought, has been uncovered in Barnham, England, by a team including Simon Parfitt & Dr Nick Ashton @uclarchaeology.bsky.social www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/de...
A photo of the work site where archaeological excavations are taking place of the deeply-buried 400,000-year-old artefacts at Barnham in England
December 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
AHRC award for project addressing inequalities in museum attendance. Theano Moussouri @ucl.ac.uk is part of a collaborative team awarded AHRC funding to investigate the attendance and benefit gap in museums and heritage institutions.

Read more here:
📲 bit.ly/4rKbA3r

1/2
AHRC award for project addressing inequalities in museum attendance
Theano Moussouri (UCL Institute of Archaeology) is part of a collaborative team awarded AHRC funding to investigate the attendance and benefit gap in museums and heritage institutions.
bit.ly
December 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Amazing photo from @welwynarchsoc.bsky.social Dr Kris Lockyear and a host of famous faces!

#VoteKris #MotivationMonday

🗳️ archaeology.co.uk/vote
welwynarchsoc.bsky.social Welwyn Archaeological Society @welwynarchsoc.bsky.social · Dec 6
Fifty years (2/50) Group photograph from Phil Barker's excavations at Wroxeter in 1984. The photo also includes my colleague Mark Lake, the late Mike Corbishley, Phil Barker, Kate Pretty, Sidney Renow, Roger White, Andrew Simpson, and there's a royal there somewhere too. @uclarchaeology.bsky.social
A black and white photograph of the team from Wroxeter showing large numbers of people (about 100 I think) sitting/standing in front of the "Old Work", a large upstanding piece of Roman wall. The people in front are holding pieces of paper with letters/numbers drawn on them spelling out "WROXETER 1984".
December 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Spotlight on Dr Kris Lockyear:

Kris became interested in #archaeology at 9yo during a school visit to St Albans/Verulamium in 1975. He joined the @welwynarchsoc.bsky.social later that year. In 2009 he became the society's Director.

@ucl.ac.uk Lunch Hour Lecture
📹 bit.ly/VoteKrisLHL

#VoteKris
Kris visiting Stonehenge with the Welwyn Archaeological Society in 1979. Kris aged about 11 visiting the Clock Tower in St Albans having persuaded his Mum to take him to look at the museum etc. Kris on his way to London with his brother and Mum (taking the photo) to visit the Tower of London. Probably around 1978! Kris undertaking Earth Resistance survey at Sobiejuchy, Poland in 1987 for Antony Harding.
December 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
🚨 @ucl.ac.uk IoA PhD alert!

"Human or Animal? Biomolecular Analysis of Upper Palaeolithic Bone Artefacts to Explore Raw Material Selection"

More info: bit.ly/48Bgffm

TREES PhD applications open 2026 intake of students.
Application deadline is 5pm on 17th Dec 2025.

www.trees-dla.ac.uk/apply
Image shows worked bones on the left, graphs and science equipment related to the study of Archaeology and specifically: "Human or Animal? Biomolecular Analysis of Upper Palaeolithic Bone Artefacts to Explore Raw Material Selection" Photo: https://www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/human-or-animal-biomolecular-analysis-upper-palaeolithic-bone-artefacts-explore-raw
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Congratulations to all Current Archaeology Award Nominees this year!

archaeology.co.uk/category/awa...

From @ucl.ac.uk IoA & @archsoutheast.bsky.social we have the following nominees:

Dr Kris Lockyear for Archaeologist of the Year archaeology.co.uk/awards/archa...

@welwynarchsoc.bsky.social
Dr Kris Lockyear in shorts, t-shirt, red socks and boots. He is standing next to a trench being back filled in summer 2025. The sky is blue and there are clouds, there is a digger behind him. Photo: Charlotte Frearson UCL IoA
December 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by UCL Institute of Archaeology
nannonstevens.bsky.social
Interested in applying for this funded PhD with me
at UCL Institute of Archaeology? Get in touch to discuss this project or to develop your own idea!

Human or Animal? Biomolecular Analysis of Upper Palaeolithic Bone Artefacts to Explore Raw Material Selection.
www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/hum...
December 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Now available to watch back anytime!

📹 bit.ly/48pISgN

Dr Renata Peters @ucl.ac.uk Lunch Hour Lecture

"The Cradle of Humanity: Protecting Tanzania's Human Artifacts"

#LocalAndGlobal
December 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Live now over on YouTube!

@ucl.ac.uk Lunch Hour Lecture | The Cradle of Humanity: Protecting Tanzania's Human Artifacts

www.youtube.com/live/ODvAEv-...

#LocalAndGlobal
Lunch Hour Lecture | The Cradle of Humanity: Protecting Tanzania's Human Artifacts
About the lecture: The Cradle of Humanity: Protecting Tanzania's Human Artifacts This talk reflects on 15 years of archaeological and conservation work at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, approached through ...
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
#MondayMotivation - check out our videos over on YouTube!

@mattpope.bsky.social on a beautiful April day at London Zoo! Find out more about the PAPA MSc degree🪨

📹 youtube.com/shorts/elds7...
Find out more - Palaeoanthropology & Palaeolithic Archaeology MSc
YouTube video by UCL Institute of Archaeology (IoA)
youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:35 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
An addition to #FocusFriday #FuturesFriday highlighting the taught Postgraduate Degree:

📜 Palaeoanthropology & Palaeolithic Archaeology MSc

📲 bit.ly/IoAPAPA

Coordinated by @mattpope.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk

🎥 filmed on 1st April 2025 at London Zoo.

#LocalAndGlobal
November 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Also on Tuesday 2nd Dec Dr Renata F Peters @ucl.ac.uk will give a Lunch Hour Lecture on:

"The Cradle of Humanity: Protecting Tanzania's Human Artifacts"

Free 🎫 for the online talk here bit.ly/48nVCmP

#FocusFriday #LocalAndGlobal #LunchHourLecture #UCL
Image showing a large bone tool held in a human hand. Image also reads 'UCL Thank You! Asante! Sli.do Q&A' and contains a QR code.
November 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
It's the 2nd #FocusFriday & today we meet some @uclalumni.bsky.social from
Palaeoanthropology and Palaeolithic Archaeology MSc

@ucl.ac.uk MSc Course Info & how to apply:
📲 bit.ly/IoAPAPA

Firstly meet David Miedzianogora PAPA 2023-24 & current PhD student @miedzianogora.bsky.social
David, with a sun hat and glasses on, sits on the ground holding an object and discusses that object with at least 1 other person. David has a notepad on his knee and a pen to his side. Photo Credit - David Miedzianogora PAPA 2024-25 An image of text reading: I was originally drawn to the PAPA degree due to the uniqueness of it being offered by both the Institute of Archaeology and UCL Anthropology, and it turned out to be a transformative experience for me. I ended up specialising on lithics, but people in my cohort were working on all aspects of the Palaeolithic since we could pick and choose from modules covering almost anything. The degree also ended up being a segue into the community studying human evolution in London, with guest lectures and volunteering opportunities – in my case, volunteering at the Palaeolithic collections held by the British Museum. Image showing text which reads: More important than all of that are the friendships that the degree led to by connecting me with people who shared my interests – these included other people on the degree, many of whom are still close friends, but also the opportunity to meet former and future cohorts through the organisation of informal socials. I eventually joined excavations in Spain, Kenya, and Germany, and worked for a year as a field archaeologist in Ireland. I am now back at the IoA as a PhD student, and can’t wait to see what future PAPA cohorts get up to! David Miedzianogora PAPA 2023-24
November 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Happy Friday! Lots to come today for #FocusFriday but first we have the good, GREAT, news story of the Prizes awarded to Institute Masters students 2025

💯Congratulations to all @ucl.ac.uk Institute of Archaeology Masters students who have been awarded departmental prizes!

📲 bit.ly/3Kuah7V
Two students in one of the IoA Labs in conversation. They are working on a computer and have a notepad and book out on the table. Photo - Sophie Mitchell UCL Three students, two seated and one standing in a white lab coat, focus on animal remains on a table in one of the labs in the UCL IoA building. Photo - Matt Wright
November 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Final Virtual Undergraduate Open Event of the Year on...

📅 Wed 26th Nov 6-8pm
📚 Zoom - ucl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#LocalAndGlobal #OpenDay #University #StudyHere
Students in orange hi vis jackets stand in a trench in Suffolk. Bluish skies, and a green field beyond. Photo Credit - Lucy Sladen UCL IoA
November 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Prof David Wengrow @ucl.ac.uk Institute of #Archaeology has been awarded the prestigious J. I. Staley Prize for #Anthropological Excellence this year by @sarsf.bsky.social School of Advanced Research

Read More
📲 bit.ly/4riBQBy

@davidwengrow.bsky.social

📚 profiles.ucl.ac.uk/140-david-we...

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Photo of Prof David Wengrow in a grey suit sitting in an office with a book case behind him. He is looking away from the camera. Photo credit - jamieson_nyt
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by UCL Institute of Archaeology
margotserra.bsky.social
Proud to have presented some of my PhD’s initial results on the analyses of Preceramic burials from the south coast of Peru at UCL’s South American Archaeology Seminar! @uclarchaeology.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
uclarchaeology.bsky.social
Massive congrats to @ucl.ac.uk Prof David Wengrow @davidwengrow.bsky.social

More to follow throughout the day!

#LocalAndGlobal
November 24, 2025 at 9:20 AM