This year’s FAME Forum will consider the growing crisis facing our archaeological archives. Such has been the growth in fieldwork since 1990 that overstretched museums in many parts of the country are refusing to accept any more archaeological archives. As a result, FAME members are storing a growing volume of excavated material which is undeposited and inaccessible.

  • What is the extent of the problem?
  • What are the hidden costs to FAME members?
  • What is the research value and usage of archaeological archives?
  • What are their public benefits, and how can they be increased?
  • Whose responsibility is it to ensure they are properly stored and cared for?
  • Should we make greater use of digital technology?
  • Should we be more selective in what we retain from excavations?

Held in association with the Society of Museum Archaeologists, the Forum will bring together speakers from both organisations to discuss how we can plan a more sustainable future for our archaeological archives. Speakers will include Roland Smith, Catherine Hardman, Stuart Campbell, David Allen, Quinton Carroll and Duncan Brown.

The meeting will take place on Friday 1 July, at Merchant Taylors Hall, York. Admission is free to FAME and SMA members, and £50 to non-members, including lunch, morning coffee and afternoon tea. Advance booking is essential – for a booking form contact Hilda Young, 01722 343444, h.young@wessexarch.co.uk or click FAME Forum 2011.