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| University of Leicester Department of Archaeology | |
|---|---|
| Name | University of Leicester Department of Archaeology |
| Established | 1950s |
| Type | Department |
| City | Leicester |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Parent institution | University of Leicester |
University of Leicester Department of Archaeology The Department of Archaeology at the University of Leicester is a centre for archaeological teaching and research with strengths in field archaeology, bioarchaeology, landscape studies and public engagement. It contributes to national and international projects spanning prehistoric, Roman, medieval and modern periods and is closely connected with institutions, museums and heritage organisations across the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The department traces roots to post‑war expansion in higher education and the rise of professional archaeology exemplified by figures associated with Mortimer Wheeler, Gordon Childe, and later influencers linked to the development of rescue archaeology like Mick Aston, Martin Carver, and institutions such as the Council for British Archaeology. Early collaborations mirrored practice at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford. Throughout the late 20th century it engaged with national initiatives such as the Renaissance in the Regions programmes and sectoral frameworks including the Planning Policy Guidance 16. The department has been involved with high‑profile excavations connected to sites comparable to Vindolanda, Silchester, and Stonehenge research, while staff have published alongside scholars from British Museum, Museum of London Archaeology, and English Heritage.
The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including taught programmes similar in scope to those at University of York, University of Sheffield, and University of Durham, and research degrees leading to PhD supervision comparable to offerings at University College London and University of Cambridge. Courses encompass modules on bioarchaeology reflecting methods used at Natural History Museum collections, landscape archaeology drawing on approaches from Royal Geographical Society researchers, and artefact studies paralleling training at Ashmolean Museum and British Museum. Students undertake professional training aligned with standards from bodies such as the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and may qualify for careers in organisations like Historic England and National Trust.
Research strengths include bioarchaeology, palaeopathology and isotopic analysis influenced by techniques developed at University of Bristol and McMaster University, landscape archaeology employing geophysical methods comparable to work at University of Bradford, and urban archaeology addressing themes also pursued at University of Leicester Archaeological Services collaborators. Projects examine Roman provincial dynamics linked to studies of Roman Britain, medieval settlement comparable to research on Norwich and York, and later industrial archaeology paralleling investigations in Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Interdisciplinary work engages with scholars from Natural Environment Research Council, Wellcome Trust funded groups, and partners such as Leverhulme Trust grantees.
Field programmes have included area excavations, survey and community archaeology projects in regions comparable to East Midlands, rural landscapes like Leicestershire, and international fieldwork in contexts similar to Syria, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Turkey. Students and staff have participated in trenchwork inspired by methodologies used at Pitt Rivers Museum projects and large‑scale digs analogous to excavations at Mucking and Wharram Percy. The department runs annual field schools modeled after those at University of York and maintains long‑term research excavations that collaborate with organisations such as English Heritage, Museum of Antiquities partners, and local councils including Leicester City Council.
Laboratories support osteological analysis, isotopic preparation and archaeometallurgy with equipment comparable to facilities at SUERC and the NERC Radiocarbon Facility. Teaching collections include artefacts, environmental reference sets and finds archive holdings similar in scope to museum stores at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery and regional university collections. The department works closely with conservation professionals trained at Courtauld Institute of Art and houses GIS suites and geophysics equipment paralleling resources at Archaeology Data Service partner institutions.
Staff, visitors and alumni have included scholars who have engaged with themes prominent in the work of Sir Mortimer Wheeler, Dame Kathleen Kenyon, and contemporary researchers associated with Oxford Archaeology. Alumni have gone on to roles in English Heritage, Historic Scotland, UNESCO, British Museum, and commercial units such as Oxford Archaeology and Museum of London Archaeology. Academics have published in venues alongside contributors from Antiquity, Journal of Archaeological Science, and collaborators at University of Cambridge and University College London.
The department maintains partnerships with local institutions including Leicester Museum and Art Gallery and Leicester City Council, national organisations such as Historic England and Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, and international links with universities like University of York, University of Durham, University of Cambridge, and partners in Africa and Asia. Granted projects have involved funders such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and charitable trusts including Leverhulme Trust and Wellcome Trust.
Category:Archaeology departments in the United Kingdom