President: Professor Michael Fulford CBE FBA FSA
Berkshire has a rich and varied landscape including parts of the Berkshire Downs, the Kennet valley, the Thames valley and the North Downs. This rich landscape is matched by a rich historic environment.
The Society exists to explore the archaeology, history and heritage of Berkshire. This will therefore also include those parts of Berkshire which became parts of other counties in 1974.
The Berkshire Archaeological Society was founded in 1871 and is a registered charity. (It became registered in 2006, before that it was an unregistered charity.)
JOIN US
Everybody with an interest in archaeology is welcome to attend our meetings and join the Society. It does not matter whether your interest in archaeology is new found or long standing. The Society offers activities from regular lectures and outings to field projects and research. All members receive a quarterly newsletter, a monthly news sheet and a free copy of the Berkshire Archaeological Journal.
To join the society please download the membership form from this page
ACTIVITIES
Programme of lectures : On the third Saturday of every month from September to April. Usually in person at the RISC centre, Reading and on Zoom.
Visits and walks: to sites of interest in and around Berkshire
Annual Day School: is held annually in March/April. This is an opportunity to review the archaeological work done in and around Berkshire during the previous 12 months
Field Projects: Every year the Society is invited to conduct a number of field projects. These usually involve geophysical survey and sometimes also excavation
Research: The society has an active Study Group which conducts research projects on the archaeology and history of Berkshire. To join this group please contact Andrew Hutt on projects(at)berksarch.co.uk
It supports its research with two libraries:
Berkshire Archaeology Research Library: maintains books and journals relating to the archaeology of Berkshire and the surrounding counties
Berkshire Record Office Library: with a collection of antiquarian books and books that support the work of the Berkshire Record Office
PUBLICATIONS
Berkshire Archaeological Journal: which records details of archaeological work done in Berkshire. Members receive copies of the journal for free
Newsletter: this is published to members four times a year
What’s On: sent to members at the beginning of each month
Twitter account: updates on BAS activities
BAS launched a new logo in April 2020. Read about the history of our logo here
In 2021 BAS celebrated its 150th anniversary. Read about it here
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