The University of Reading is renowned for its archaeological research: it is ranked 1st in the UK for research quality and research outputs in Archaeology (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).
We have an excellent track record in attracting funding from research councils, charities, learned bodies, government and industry, and our staff include some of the most influential researchers in the discipline.
Five of our senior academics are Fellows of the British Academy (FBA) – the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences – which means we have more in-post FBAs than any other archaeology department in the country.
Our strength lies in combining scientific techniques with more traditional social approaches to explore the past – and to address modern global challenges.
Our research is transforming how we look at everything from the impact of climate change on societies, to changes in the onset of puberty.
Examples of our impact include work by Roberta Gilchrist at Glastonbury Abbey and Duncan Garrow on objects of death and memory displayed at the British Museum.
REMADE brings together new scientific and social approaches to copper-alloys from the Roman and Early Medieval period, and places chemical analysis at the heart of the humanities.
Focusing on the Iberian Peninsula GREEN REVOLUTION explores the impact and legacy of the environmental transformations associated with multiple regimes and population movements during the 'medieval millennium', set against the backdrop of climatic fluctuations.
Find out more about all of our staff and PGRs and their publications. You can learn more about four colleagues at different career stages and with different research interests in this section.
Meet current PGR student Miles Clifford who is studying river deposition in the Middle Thames region between the Bronze age and Early Medieval period.
Meet Professor Katie Sampeck who holds a British Academy Global Professorship and works with the British Museum on the history of chocolate.
Our world-class research in archaeology is structured around three research clusters, providing an interdisciplinary environment for engagement within and across themes, projects and regional studies:
These research clusters focus on advancing social and scientific approaches to past communities and environments, as well as issues of fundamental significance – climate and environmental change, health and diet, social diversity and inclusivity, and cultural heritage.
While supporting individual research, our strategy stresses the investigation of major archaeological topics:
Our research into diet, health, agriculture, food storage, and palaeoclimate feeds into the University's world-leading research on these topics. The strength of our research enhances the University's four institution-wide research themes.
We are actively pursuing and shaping contemporary research agendas in world archaeology, through internal and external collaborations, an active programme of conferences, and national and international research partnerships.
Our research in archaeological science is underpinned by specialist facilities in bioarchaeology, geochemistry, geoarchaeology, archaeobotany and paleoclimatology – all housed in our dedicated archaeology building.
