News

Durham archaeologist to head European organisation

(24 October 2002)

Professor Anthony Harding FBA , a distinguished mentor of the Archaeology Department at Durham University, has been elected Incoming President of the European Association of Archaeologists.

He is a specialist in Neolithic and Bronze Age studies and has worked extensively on the archeology of Central and Eastern Europe.

As the first British archaeologist elected to this prestigious position, he will take over as President at the next meeting in St Petersburg in 2003.The previous presidents were Professor Kristiansen (Gotheburg University) and Professor Willem Willems (State Inspectorate for Archaeology, the Netherlands).

The European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) is an association of professional archaeologists from all over Europe, with some 1100 members. The EAA has consultative status with the Council of Europe and this provides the Association with important legislative links and involvement in a formal capacity in all activities at the Council of Europe relevant to the archaeological heritage.

The Association exists to promote the cause of archaeology within Europe at a variety of levels and in a variety of ways, including academic archaeology, the heritage sector, museums and field archaeology. Among its concerns at present are Europe-wide standards in archaeological practice, education and training of archaeologists (including the impact of the Bologna agreement), protection of the cultural heritage, and the struggle against the illicit trade in antiquities.