Call for Papers
The Society for Church Archaeology Annual Conference 2024
Transforming Church Archaeology: New Directions and Approaches
The Folk of Gloucester, GloUCester, EnglanD; 14-15 September 2024
Due 16 June 2024
The theme of this year’s conference is Transforming Church Archaeology. For centuries, churches and other religious buildings have been at the heart of their respective communities. However, declining congregations and other societal changes means institutions such as the Anglican Church are undergoing a period of transformation that directly impacts the buildings they curate. Whilst some churches face closure and an uncertain future, others are adapted to meet the needs of the wider community or for alternative purposes. Within this context, archaeology has an essential role to play, on the one hand guiding adaptations to historic buildings and on the other providing new avenues for presenting and interpreting church heritage to a variety of audiences. Through an exploration of the multifaceted nature of church archaeology in the 21st century, this conference aims to demonstrate how it continues to play a role in a changing religious landscape.
The Society for Church Archaeology would be delighted to consider 20 minute papers on the theme of Transforming Church Archaeology: New Directions and Approaches for presenting in-person at the society’s annual conference 14th-15th September 2023 (in exceptional circumstances, virtual papers will also be considered; please state these clearly in your proposal). Topics covered might include but are not limited to:
The role of archaeology in the transformation or adaptation of ecclesiastical sites
The use of archaeology and heritage in widening audiences in churches or other religious buildings
Case studies in the preservation or protection of ecclesiastical heritage through archaeological methods
Community archaeology and its role in raising awareness of ecclesiastical heritage
Please email abstracts, expressions of interest or general enquiries to churcharchconference@gmail.com . The conference will be held at the Folk of Gloucester, a 16th-century merchant’s house that is now part of a project bringing the community together through shared heritage. Speakers will have their conference fee waived and there is also a budget to cover travel expenses, please contact the above email for more information.