Fields of Conflict: Progress and Prospect in Battlefield 
Archaeology

A CONFERENCE

at
Dept. of Archaeology, University of Glasgow 26th - 27th February 
2000

in Conjunction with 
Dept. of Archaeology, University of Liverpool
and
Scottish Centre for War Studies, University of Glasgow



Over recent years there has been a growing interest in the 
archaeological potential of battlefields.  This is partly due to the 
recognition that these sites represent an important part of our 
cultural heritage, and one which for a variety of reasons may be 
under threat. Prior to the involvement of archaeologists, the 
study of battlefields had been the preserve of historians working 
with documentary records, although the wider appeal of the 
subject also gave rise to a plethora of re-enactment groups, the 
growth of battlefield tourism and the mass of pouplar literature 
devoted to militaria. Initially, archaeologists generally limited 
themselves to the curation and basic recording of artefacts and 
other material remains related to military engagements, many of 
which were recovered as by-products of the investigation of 
unrelated sites which just happened to be on battlefields. 
However, recent work at a number of (historic) battlefields, 
notably in North America, has demonstrated what can be 
achieved through the combination of documentary analysis and 
the wide range of landscape survey techniques now associated 
with field archaeology.  These more recent developments 
include the use of archaeological data as a means of testing and 
questioning documentary accounts and histories.  One of the 
most challenging aspects battlefield archaeology is its potential 
to shed light on events which took place over very short periods 
of time; providing insight into the actions and movements of 
small groups and even individuals during their experience of 
combat.    

In an attempt to encourage the development of this multi-
disciplinary and research-driven approach to the study of 
battlefields, we are organising a conference which will draw 
together those working on various aspects of historic 
(ostensibly, but not exclusively, medieval onwards) battlefield 
archaeology. The meeting will be international in scope and aim 
to provide a forum for the presentation of the results of recent 
archaeo-historical work on battlefield sites while also 
considering future developments in the field.  Although not 
intended to be theme- or period-specific, issues which may be 
covered, in addition to project reports, include:  fieldwork 
methodology and applications, preservation and presentation of 
battlefields, the archaeology of related sites (field fortifications, 
cemeteries etc.), the treatment of human remains and artefact 
studies.  

Subjects to be covered include:

English Civil War
American Civil War
Plains Indian Wars
Crimean War
Anglo-Zulu War
First World War etc. 

Further details about costs, sessions and other administrative 
arrangements will be available soon. We will also be publishing 
the conference proceedings.


         Expressions of interest, paper proposals and other 
                   queries should be forwarded to:

	Dr. Tony Pollard,			OR		Dr. Philip Freeman,
	Dept. of Archaeology,				Dept. of Archaeology,
	University of Glasgow,			
	Glasgow G12 8QQ,					University of Liverpool,
	SCOTLAND							LIVERPOOL L69 3BX

	tel: 0141 - 330 - 5541				tel: 0151 - 794 - 4390
	fax: 0141 - 330 - 3863				fax: 0151 - 794 - 5057
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