Veteran Archaeologies:
Dispatches from the Field
On the 5th November 2022, linked to the Falklands War Mapping Project, Dr Tim Clack and Prof Tony Pollard hosted a public workshop on veteran archaeologies at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford. The event comprised a panel session by the Falklands War Mapping Project team and presentations by Operational Nightingale and Waterloo Uncovered. Funded by the University of Oxford, this proved a wonderful opportunity to hear about three distinct but equally pioneering initiatives.
As well as conducting archaeological and historical investigations, these projects seek to work with military veterans to better understand historic battlefields and harness wellbeing benefits from engagements with the past. It was clear to everyone at the event that archaeology has a part to play in the recording of, and recovery from, the trauma of war. Archaeology can contribute to therapeutic progress, the coming to terms with traumatic experiences, living with the past in the present, and forging new associations, memories, relations and futures.
Speakers at the event were: Dr Tim Clack, Prof Tony Pollard, Dr Stu Eve, John Litterick, Jim Peters, Lt Col (Rtd) Rod Eldridge, Lt Col Charlie Foinette, Beth Timmins, Richard Osgood and Katie Buckley.
At the event Prof Pollard and Dr Clack announced the creation of an international veteran archaeology network to facilitate the sharing of ideas, best practice, and resources.
To help consolidate the network, the ‘Dispatches from the Field’ workshop will be followed by another at the University of Glasgow in April/ May 2023. Organised by Tony Pollard and Tim Clack, this second event will be a hybrid in format and, importantly, involve inputs from veteran archaeology projects from around the world, including Australia, Argentina, The Netherlands and the US.
One of the outputs of these workshops will be an academic source book on veteran archaeologies to be edited by Tony Pollard and Tim Clack. More to follow in due course.
“I learnt more about the Falklands War from the event - and I was there (I was platoon commander G Coy 2SG)!”
“‘I’m glad I made the effort to come today. I didn’t really know what I was coming to hear. My husband was with HQ 5 Bde during the Falklands War so it has been much in my thoughts this year.”
“All in all, I enjoyed the workshop and found it emotional.”
“A fascinating and well-organised event.”
“I like the idea of bringing veterans to battlefield sites. They are not just historical sites but places that we can learn about by adding personal memories.”
“This process adds new interpretations and meanings to sites.“
“Veteran archaeologies are excellent.”
“Brilliant, thank you for having me.”