World Archaeological Congress
Encyclopedia
The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization which promotes world archaeology. It is the only global archaeological organisation with elected representation.
Established in 1986, WAC holds an international Congress every four years to promote the exchange of results from archaeological research; professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nations peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.
, Venezuela
, India
, South Africa
and the United States
. Patrons for past Congresses have included Prince Charles (WAC-1), Nelson Mandela
(WAC-4) and Harriet Fulbright (WAC-5).
In 2008, the WAC-6 http://www.ucd.ie/wac-6/ Congress was held in Dublin, Ireland
.
(1990-1994), Bassey Wai Andah (1994-1997), Gilbert Pwiti (Acting 1998-1999), Martin Hall (1999-2003), Claire Smith
(2003-present)
Established in 1986, WAC holds an international Congress every four years to promote the exchange of results from archaeological research; professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nations peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.
Congresses
Past WAC Congresses have been held in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Patrons for past Congresses have included Prince Charles (WAC-1), Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
(WAC-4) and Harriet Fulbright (WAC-5).
In 2008, the WAC-6 http://www.ucd.ie/wac-6/ Congress was held in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Publications
Selected papers from these conferences are published in the One World Archaeology Series. In mid-2008 there were 56 books in this series.WAC Presidents
Michael Day (1986-1990), Jack GolsonJack Golson
Jack Golson is an archaeologist who has done extensive field work in Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. He has made important and pioneering contributions to the world of archaeology....
(1990-1994), Bassey Wai Andah (1994-1997), Gilbert Pwiti (Acting 1998-1999), Martin Hall (1999-2003), Claire Smith
Claire Smith
Claire Smith is an archaeologist. She is an Associate Professor with the Department of Archaeology at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia, and President of the World Archaeological Congress....
(2003-present)