The annual conference has been organised by the City of Edinburgh Council and East Lothian Council since 2002, with the Scottish Borders Council joining in 2010.
The conference provides an important opportunity to hear and discuss first-hand accounts of the archaeological fieldwork and research being undertaken in Edinburgh, East Lothian, and the Scottish Borders.
The 2022 edition of the conference will be held at Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh on Saturday 19 November.
Since the inaugural event back in 2002, the conference has cemented its reputation as one of the foremost events of the year in the Scottish archaeological calendar.
In the past twenty years the conferences have welcomed over 3,250 guests to learn and discuss the main archaeological issues of the day.
The City of Edinburgh Council's Archeaology Officer, John Lawson said:
I am delighted that we are celebrating the 20th year of this conference and that the event continues to grow, allowing seasoned veterans along with those new to the field to get to grips with the latest archaeological developments in the region.
As a co-founder with Biddy Simpson, formerly of East Lothian Council, I am incredibly proud that this event has grown with the addition of Scottish Borders Council to firmly establish itself as one of Scotland’s largest archaeological annual conferences.
Over the years the conference has explored the results of often nationally important archaeological projects which have changed our understanding of our past. We hope this year’s programme follows in this tradition, discussing a wide range of recent projects across the region, spanning work from the early prehistoric ritual landscapes, through evidence for Dark Age Conflict all the way up to the excavation of a 19th century ‘’Sea Serpent’’ in George V Park.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge said:
The Edinburgh, Lothians & Border Archaeology Conference plays a key role in the regions’ archaeological work and allows the expertise of our brilliant archaeologist and community groups to be celebrated.
I am sure the next twenty years will be just as insightful, instructive and interesting.
East Lothian Provost, John McMillan, said:
This year’s event is the 20th Archaeology Conference and provides an opportunity to discover more about the recent excavations and finds undertaken in our region. The south-east area of the country has a rich history of settlements, battles and industries that have helped shape modern Scotland. It’s fascinating to learn more including how the very discipline of archaeology has changed with the use of new technology to aid identification of artefacts and ages.
Councillor Watson McAteer, Convener of Scottish Borders Council said:
We are extremely proud to once again be involved in the annual Edinburgh, Lothians, and Borders Archaeology Conference, highlighting the rich history and heritage of the regions’. It’s an incredibly exciting time for archaeology, especially in the Borders, where there has been some significant fieldwork being undertaken at sites at Tinnis Castle and Shootinglee near Traquair which I’m delighted will both be discussed at this year’s event.
Dr Rebecca Jones, Head of Heritage Recording and Archaeology, at Historic Environment Scotland said:
The Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders conference is a key event in the Scottish community heritage calendar, and an opportunity for people to learn about nationally significant archaeology projects taking place in their local area which we are proud to support.
Historic Environment Scotland and its predecessor Historic Scotland have supported the conference since the very beginning, as part of our commitment to greater widespread engagement with Scottish archaeology. As ever, this years’ conference boasts an impressive mix of scientific investigation, heritage management and projects which cover a wide range of periods, and of course lots of amazing new discoveries.
Tickets are available online and are £30: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/archaeologyconference
Some tickets will also be available on the door for purchase.
Photo: ©National Museum of Scotland.