Roman Experts from Across the World to Meet at Leicester

March 2003
No 95

The University of Leicester is to host two major international archaeological conferences at the beginning of April 2003, attracting hundreds of delegates from across the UK, Europe and North America.

The fifth biennial Roman Archaeology Conference and the thirteenth Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference are to be held in parallel from Thursday, April 3 to Sunday, April 6, hosted by the University’s prestigious School of Archaeology and Ancient History.

The Roman Archaeology Conference is run on behalf of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, the national forum for academic and professional archaeologists specialising in Rome and for all others interested in the field. The Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference provides an annual showcase for the latest research, especially by postgraduates.

Germany’s most senior Roman archaeologist, Professor Siegmar von Schnurbein, of the Römisch-Germanische Kommission of the German Archaeological Institute will deliver the keynote address entitled ‘Beyond the Limes in Germany: An abandoned Augustan town and Germanic settlements’. In his lecture he will describe research on the Roman site of Waldgirmes and recent research into Roman/German interaction beyond the formal frontier of the Roman Empire – known as 'the limes' (plural limites: hence ‘limits’).

The University is delighted, also, to welcome back a former Leicester Professor of Archaeology and Roman expert, John Wacher. At a reception supported by English Heritage, he will be honoured by the presentation of a Festschrift (a volume of papers in his honour specially written by his peers).

Conference organiser Dr Simon James, of the University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History, commented: “It is especially fitting that this major showcase of academic research on the Roman empire should be held at the University of Leicester, home to one of the UK’s most important communities of specialists on Roman archaeology and ancient history.

“Leicester was founded in Roman times (as Ratae, capital of the local Corieltauvi people) and is rich in Roman remains, directly to be seen at Jewry Wall Museum, but also hidden beneath the streets of the city, and the fields of the surrounding countryside. The University works closely with the city and county museums to explore this heritage, not least through excavations conducted by our Archaeological Services Unit (ULAS). 

“The Corieltauvi were subjects of an empire which stretched to the Euphrates, and the conference will feature new research from many former Roman provinces including Jordan, Spain, Italy, and also Germany beyond the frontiers. Roman Britain will feature prominently, and major new discoveries on our own doorstep will be revealed to the public immediately after the conference.”

Further details and the full conference programmes are available on the website: http://www.le.ac.uk/archaeology/rac/index.html

The University of Leicester School of Archaeology and Ancient History is acclaimed internationally for its research and teaching.  The Times placed Leicester third out of 25 UK archaeology departments in its 2002 Good University Guide, an outstanding result for the School, reflecting its strong all-round performance.

Preparations are already underway to re-house the School in a completely refurbished building on the University campus, where it will enjoy enhanced laboratories, administrative and support facilities and more teaching space, as well as exhibition areas where staff and students can display their work.

This document has been approved by the head of department or section.