Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology

02/10/2026

Calling all current and past SPMA members - we would love to see you in Tallinn for PMAC27 and read about your research in our journal Post-Medieval Archaeology and our newsletter! Hopefully you still have access to your Taylor & Francis account and your membership with us hasn't lapsed but perhaps you've recently graduated or changed positions? Just lost access to your old email? Here are some steps to help find your account info to update your email and renew your membership with us! If you still have access to your email, you can start by just logging in via tandfonline.com

01/09/2026

We are in the process of planning the SPMA PhD group's programme of workshops, training and other events for the next academic year. Have your say and design a programme that meets your research and training needs by filling out the planning form by 16 October 2026!

To join the group, you must be a member of the SPMA enrolled in PhD studies. If you were a SPMA PhD Group member last year, please offer feedback about what you liked and didn't like about last year's programme.

PS. At the first meeting in late October or early November you will have the opportunity to suggest changes before the new programme is finalised.

You can find the form by QR code or here: https://tinyurl.com/SPMAPHDgroup

27/08/2026

📢PMAC27 Call for Papers📢
Our ninth annual Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress will be hosted by Tallinn University in Tallinn, Estonia 14-16 May 2027.

Proposals need to include:
-Title
-Abstract of up to 150 words
-Author affiliation(s)
-Corresponding author email address

For Symposia, forum, or round table proposals, please also include a list of speakers.

You may self-nominate your paper or poster to a themed session. The themes for are as follows:
-Swedish Empire: the archaeology of Stormaktstiden
-Terror and resistance
-Dangerous cultural heritage: environmental threat from archaeological sites
-On the margins: East & West
You may propose your own theme(s) as well.

Call for papers closes 1 November 2026. Send your proposal to [email protected]. Authors will be notified by email of the status of their submission by 1 December 2026.

Please note that all papers and sessions at PMAC27 will be delivered in person. Registration will open closer to the Congress. You will be able to register via Eventbrite.

Students can apply to our Paul Courtney Congress Bursary Award for financial help to attend the Congress. SPMA prioritises students, first-time attendees, low-income and BAME and minority applicants to the Award. There is no age restriction.

Preliminary programme:
- 14 May 2027 - tours, council meeting, opening lecture & reception at St. Nicholas’ (Niguliste) Church (pictured)
- 15-16 May 2027- scientific programme (Tallinn University main campus) and Old Town walking tour

We look forward to welcoming you to Tallinn!
Further details: spma.org.uk/pmac27

18/08/2026

The SPMA Research Grant application deadline is fast approaching - you have until Tuesday, 1 September 2026, to apply for funding! The aim of our RG fund is to support research projects and publications on the post-medieval archaeology of Britain, Europe and the wider world from about 1500 to the present day.

Each proposal is subject to a maximum of £2,000 and the total fund available in any single application round is £2,000. We may divide the available fund between several applications.

Find information and apply here: https://spma.org.uk/research-grants

12/08/2026

Have a stellar UG student who has submitted their thesis in the 2025-2026 academic year at an Irish or UK university or college? Nominate them to the SPMA UG dissertation prize! NB! We only accept one nomination per department.

The UG prize will be awarded to the best dissertation concerned with the post-medieval archaeology of Britain, Europe, or the wider world, from c.1500 to the present day. We also invite dissertations on critical heritage studies or cultural heritage management that have a post-medieval or contemporary archaeology focus.

More info on eligibility and forms: https://spma.org.uk/prizes-and-grants

01/06/2026

The SPMA has chosen two recipients for the Spring round of our Research Grant Awards!

We are supporting a project by Sarah Inskip (University of Leicester). Sarah will investigate an unusual early modern burial site in Haffen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This multidisciplinary research project requires expertise in bioanthropology, biomolecular science, geochemistry and archaeology. The aim is to establish the group’s demographics, diet, origin and any possible traumas indicating military conflict. The award amount is £1,800.

You can find an image from the project and more details on our website: https://spma.org.uk/spring-2026-research-grant-awards

Additionally, we are sponsoring archaeologist and ceramic specialist Derek Hall on a larger excavation project in Glencoe, Scotland, associated with the Glencoe Massacre of 1692. SPMA is financing the chemical analysis of ceramics from the 2025 excavation season. The project will provide new insights into contacts between Scotland and continental Europe in the 17th century, painting a very different picture of the Scottish Highland clans and their trading networks. The Society is sponsoring the analyses with £200.

The yearly deadlines for submission for our Research Grant are 1st March and 1st September. Apply here: https://spma.org.uk/research-grants

29/05/2026

The SPMA is pleased to announce that Richard Hebblethwaite of the UCL Institute of Archaeology is the latest winner of the SPMA Postgraduate Dissertation Prize.

Richard’s MA dissertation, titled 'The Flask, Highgate: Society, Urban Development and Commerce in Post-Medieval London' was considered to be an excellent example of historical archaeology at a single, distinct site by the SPMA judges. It could form the basis of an application to a historic register or preservation board. Richard's approach is also ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in contract or cultural resource management.

We are delighted that Richard has joined the Society and is reworking his thesis into an article for publication in the Society's journal, Post-Medieval Archaeology.

First image: First Victuallers record of The Flask (Flask entry, 1735). Source: London Archives.
Second image: Front exterior of the main building of The Flask, looking north east.
Third image (Ieft): View of upper staircase with balusters, second floor.
Third image (right): Stables, showing wooden horsebox stalls.

All photographs by Richard Hebblethwaite.

The Postgraduate (PG) Dissertation prize deadline is 15th December each year. More information on our webiste: https://spma.org.uk/pg-and-ug-dissertation-prizes

26/05/2026

The 8th Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress took us to Reading! Our in-person programme spanned almost 20 sessions which ranged from landscape archaeology to foodways to marginalised communities to burial practices and much more. Attendees could also enjoy a poster session over some tea & coffee.

The programme included four tours & museum visits - we walked in Roman Silchester (English Heritage, Silchester Archaeology), explored the Huntley & Palmers Gallery at Reading Museum, got to know the hidden history of University of Reading Whiteknights campus & celebrated our 60th birthday at The Museum of English Rural Life.

You can learn more on our website and in our next newsletter! See you in Tallinn for !

Photos by: Katie Sampeck and Monika Reppo.

26/05/2026

More photos from attendees!

26/05/2026