Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology

The Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology (SPMA) is a learned society dedicated to the study and promotion of historical archaeology, described on its own website as Europe's leading society in that field. It was founded in 1966 with the aim of promoting the archaeology of late medieval to industrial society in Britain, Europe and those countries influenced by European colonialism. Over time its scope has broadened: the Society now covers the archaeology of the period up to the present day. The Society pursues its mission chiefly through publishing and events. It produces the journal Post-Medieval Archaeology, a twice-yearly newsletter, and occasional monographs, and it holds an annual conference known as the Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress. It also organises other conferences and meetings for its members and the wider archaeological community. As a membership organisation, the SPMA is governed by a Council and has a President, and it maintains an Articles of Association, holds an Annual General Meeting, and publishes an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement. It is based in the United Kingdom and operates across Britain, Europe and internationally, reflecting the global reach of the historical archaeology it promotes. The Society accepts donations to support its work and can be contacted through its Secretary.

The Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology was founded in 1966. Its founding aim was to promote the archaeology of late medieval to industrial society in Britain, Europe and those countries influenced by European colonialism. This remit placed it at the centre of what became known as post-medieval archaeology and, more broadly, historical archaeology — the archaeology of the recent past studied alongside documentary sources. From its early years the Society established the twin pillars of a learned society: a scholarly journal and a programme of meetings. It began publishing the journal Post-Medieval Archaeology, which remains its principal publication, and it developed a regular newsletter and a series of occasional monographs to disseminate research that did not fit the journal format. It also instituted an annual conference, now known as the Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress, providing a recurring forum for researchers, field archaeologists and heritage professionals. As the discipline evolved, so did the Society's scope. Whereas the original focus was on the late medieval to industrial period, the Society now covers the archaeology of the period up to the present day, reflecting the growth of contemporary and industrial archaeology and the widening chronological range of historical archaeology as a field. Governance developed in parallel. The Society is run by a Council and led by a President, holds an Annual General Meeting, and maintains formal Articles of Association. It has also adopted an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement, signalling a commitment to broadening participation in the discipline. Its membership and activities extend across Britain, Europe and internationally, and it accepts donations to support its work. The Society communicates with members and the public through its website and can be contacted via its Secretary.

• 1966

  The Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology is founded with the aim of promoting the archaeology of late medieval to industrial society in Britain, Europe and countries influenced by European colonialism.

• The Society publishes the journal Post-Medieval Archaeology, a twice-yearly newsletter and occasional monographs.

• The Society holds an annual conference, the Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress.

• The Society's scope expands to cover the archaeology of the period up to the present day.

Europe's leading learned society for the study and promotion of historical archaeology.

• Post-Medieval Archaeology (journal)

  The Society's principal scholarly journal, published triannually.

• Newsletter

  A newsletter published twice yearly.

• Monographs

  Occasional monographs published by the Society.

• Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress

  The Society's annual conference.

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