For almost 160 years, the Glasgow Archaeological Society has been fostering public awareness of the importance of archaeology in increasing our understanding of the past and our heritage through a programme of lectures, excursions, as well as publications including our journals and newsletters. More recently this role has also been served online and through social media.
During the months of October to April the Society organizes a series of monthly lectures by speakers from Britain and abroad. These lectures cover both local topics and those from farther afield, within a wide time span from the prehistoric to the post medieval period, and are free for all to attend on the campus of the University of Glasgow.
The Society also co-hosts with the University of Glasgow the annual Dalrymple Lectures, when a distinguished speaker is able to cover a topic in more depth in a series of four evening lectures. Previous lecturers have included: Professor Emmanuel Anati, Professor Rosemary Cramp on “Northern Aspects of British Archaeology”, Sir Barry Cunliffe on “Continent cut off by fog: Just how insular is Britain?”, Professor Ian Hodder and Professor Jane Downes.
Lectures usually take place in the Glasgow University’s Boyd Orr Building, in University Avenue on the third Thursday of each month from October to April inclusive, starting at 7.30pm.
The Society also organizes a number of excursions: during the winter months there are generally two local excursions, whilst in the summer there are two or three visits to more distant places of archaeological and historical interest. Some of our visits are to excavations in progress, or places which have been featured in one of our Society lectures.
The annual publication, the Scottish Archaeological Journal, helps to keep our national and international membership in touch with the latest results of archaeological fieldwork, excavation and research in many parts of Scotland, whilst the two issues a year of ‘A Touch of GAS’ cover news items, progress reports and shorter articles. The Journal is produced annually and includes book reviews, review articles, etc.
Through its field research grants the society helps to support current archaeological work by both professionals and amateurs throughout Scotland.