Oxford University Archaeological Society (OUAS) is a society at the University of Oxford

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...

, which promotes matters of archaeological interest through lectures, excursions and fieldwork. Its membership is not restricted to students, although it is generally run by undergraduate and graduate members of the University.

History and Constitution

The OUAS was founded in 1919. Prior to this date, archaeological interests had been represented at the university by the Brass Rubbing Society (1893-1901) and Antiquarian Society (1901-1914). Founding members of the OUAS included Edward Thurlow Leeds, later of the Ashmolean Museum, who held the position of honorary Vice-President until his death in 1955. Other notable archaeologists to have held the presidency of the society include Nowell Myres (1923), Martyn Jope

Martyn Jope

Edward Martyn Jope was an English archaeologist and chemist. He worked temporarily during the Second World War as a biochemist. Following the war, he returned to working in archaeology, first as a medievalist and later as a prehistorian.- Life and Career :Martyn Jope studied at Oriel College, Oxford...

, Francis Maddison

Francis Maddison

Francis Romeril Maddison was an English historian and Arabist. He was Curator of the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford, England.Francis Maddison was born in Hounslow, London, England...

 and Jeffrey May (1959).

Current vice-presidents include Professors Sheppard Frere

Sheppard Frere

Professor Sheppard Sunderland Frere, CBE, FSA, FBA is a former British historian and archaeologist who studied the Roman Empire.-Biography:...

 and Barry Cunliffe

Barry Cunliffe

Sir Barrington Windsor Cunliffe, CBE, known professionally as Barry Cunliffe is a former Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford, a position held from 1972 to 2007...

.


The Society continues to be run by an annually-elected committee comprising a President or Co-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

Activities

OUAS organizes weekly lectures during term-time, presented by archaeologists from outside Oxford as well as those based at the University. Non-members may attend but must pay an admission fee, although OUAS has an arrangement with the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society

Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society

The Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society has existed in one form or another since at least 1839, although with its current name only since 1972. Its annual publication Oxoniensia has been produced since 1936.-Overview:...

 whereby members of the two societies are entitled to attend each others lectures.



Occasional excursions are also organized, allowing members to visit sites of archaeological interest.



OUAS has conducted various archaeological fieldwork projects in Oxfordshire, including excavations at Mingies Ditch and Alchester. Since 2007 the Society has been involved with excavation campaigns at Dorchester-on-Thames, a joint project of the University of Oxford, Oxford Archaeology

Oxford Archaeology

Oxford Archaeology is one of the largest non-governmental archaeological organisations in Europe....

and the people of the town.