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Department of Archaeology

Our Research Excellence Framework 2021 results
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Welcome to the Department of Archaeology

We are proud of our colleagues across the Archaeology Departments of the UK who have contributed to the outstanding research and societal benefits showcased by the Archaeology Unit of Assessment. Archaeology in the UK is world-leading and internationally renowned for its academic, research and teaching excellence and the REF results have recognised Durham as a leading Department in the UK sector.

Our overall GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.59 is second in the UK, with 97% of our research outputs graded world-leading or internationally excellent. Our world-leading research environment was recognised by a 100% grading at 4*, with our three Impact Case Studies each receiving a 4* rating, again reflecting the world-leading societal impact and benefit from our research. 

Find out more about us
2nd in GPA (3.59)
Joint 1st in Environment
Joint 1st in Impact
97% of outputs rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

Improving the identification of human remains

Our Department of Archaeology’s innovative research is helping the world’s forensic scientists to better identify human remains.

Their ground-breaking research has enhanced the retrieval of evidence and improved the identification of remains and has led to significant advances in the field of forensic analysis both nationally and internationally.
Read the full case study
Bodies of evidence

About Us

The Department of Archaeology submitted 32 members of staff, comprising 30 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) staff, to the REF Archaeology Unit of Assessment (UoA). 

We are an inclusive, vibrant and international community, with expertise in a wide range of areas and important strengths in field and landscape archaeology, archaeological science, and museum and heritage studies. We work across five continents, offering research and teaching specialisms in world prehistory, early complex societies, India, Egypt and the Near East, Roman and Classical archaeology, the archaeology of South Asia, Eurasia and the medieval, historical and contemporary worlds.

Our community is an exciting place in which to develop knowledge and gain essential and transferable skills, from lab-based training in osteology, isotopic analyses and aDNA to applied skills in field survey, excavation, Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing and the study of artefacts and collections.

Archaeology REF Impact Case Studies

Archaeology submitted three impact case studies including forensic analysis and cultural heritage.

Click below to read more about our case studies

Bodies of evidence: Transforming approaches to the location, recovery and analysis of human remains in forensic contexts.

The project has contributed to international capacity building and skills in forensic archaeology and anthropology to investigate the missing.
Bodies of evidence

Achieving accessible and resilient heritage: the work of Durham’s new UNESCO Chair in South Asia.

Durham’s UNESCO Chair team are successfully co-designing and implementing heritage intervention programmes across South Asia.
Photograph of a small local community gathering

Training in Action: securing heritage and building resilience after conflict in North Africa.

Our project helps to protect cultural heritage in Libya and Tunisia, which is of significant socio-cultural, historic, scientific and economic value.

 

 

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Research Themes

The department has six research and impact groups that represent key strengths in our current research profile: Bioarchaeology, Landscapes of Complex Society, Prehistoric Worlds, Northern Communities, Heritage Partnerships, and Material and Visual Culture.

More about our Research and Impact Groups

Like to Know More?

As well as the departmental research and impact groups, Archaeology is home to the Durham Centre for Cultural Heritage Protection (DCCHP), which builds on expertise available in the Department.

Archaeology also hosts archaeological commercial units, offering a range of specialist services:

  • Durham Centre for Cultural Heritage Protection (DCCHP)

    DCCHP works to sustain and protect cultural heritage for future generations. We do this through documentation, research, training, and consultancy, and by seeking to understand how people across the globe engage with and respond to their own heritage and that of others.
    Stone fortifications

  • Archaeological Services

    We provide archaeological and heritage services to the development industry, primarily in relation to planning permission.
    Excavated brick surface surrounded by brick walls and a red and white scale in the centre

Durham Centre for Cultural Heritage Protection (DCCHP)

DCCHP works to sustain and protect cultural heritage for future generations. We do this through documentation, research, training, and consultancy, and by seeking to understand how people across the globe engage with and respond to their own heritage and that of others.
Stone fortifications

Archaeological Services

We provide archaeological and heritage services to the development industry, primarily in relation to planning permission.
Excavated brick surface surrounded by brick walls and a red and white scale in the centre
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