CIfA Finds Group

A promotional flyer titled "CIfA Finds Group FINDS FEST: MARKETHALL SPECIALISMS." The top right features an image of archaeological artifacts laid out in display trays. Below the title is a table listing specialists and their areas of expertise: • Small Finds and Glass: Ruth Beveridge • First Aid for Finds and Conservation: Laura Ratcliffe-Warren, Kate Berlewen • Zooarchaeology: Emily Johnson, Joshua Toulson • Metalwork, Coins, and Flint: Anna Tyacke, Peter Guest • Charcoal and Archaeobotany: Dana Challinor, Bekky Hillman • Prehistoric to Early Medieval Pottery: Imogen Wood, Elle Norrish • Worked Stone: Ruth Shaffrey, Naomi Payne • Post-ex and Archaeological Science: Hayley McParland, Rachel Cubitt

Ready to unearth history? 🔍✨
Join us at Finds Fest to meet the specialists uncovering the past! From zooarchaeology and ancient glass to metalwork and prehistoric pottery, come explore the unique expertise at the Markethall. 🏺🦴
#FindsFest2026
#Archaeology
#cifa

A promotional graphic for Finds Fest 2026 bursaries. The text states that bursaries funded by Historic England and SLR are available for tickets and travel. It highlights a standard contribution of up to £75, with flexibility based on circumstances. It notes that non-members are welcome to apply. Contact information is provided as an email address: pots.imogen.wood@gmail.com.

Need a hand getting to Finds Fest? 🏺⚒️
Thanks to the generous support of Historic England and SLR Consulting, we are delighted to offer travel and ticket bursaries.
Don’t miss this chance to network with experts, handle incredible finds, and boost your career. 🚀
#FindsFest2026
#archaeologybursary

A clean, professional agenda for the morning of Finds Fest. At the top, the title reads "Finds Fest Morning Agenda." The timeline includes: 9:30 Registration, refreshments, and icebreaker activity; 10:00 Welcome and Introduction; 10:15 A session on Historic England’s Archaeology Mentoring Partnerships; 10:40 "First Aid for Finds" talk; 11:15 A Keynote session featuring a structured interview with a panel of finds practitioners; and 12:30 Lunch (included). The CIfA, SLR, and Historic England logos are at the bottom.

A clean, professional agenda for the afternoon of Finds Fest. At the top, the title reads "Finds Fest Afternoon Agenda." The afternoon schedule is presented in a pink and white table. From 1:15 to 4:00 PM, the session includes an introduction, four 30-minute themed discussion topics, an AMP Peer Session, poster displays, "Thoughts on FAFF" (First Aid For Finds), and a marketplace where attendees can meet specialists. A break is scheduled at 2:45 PM. The day concludes at 4:00 PM with closing remarks and the announcement of poster competition winners, with the event closing at 4:15 PM. The CIfA, SLR, and Historic England logos are at the bottom.

🏺 The Ultimate Finds Fest Roadmap is HERE!

From expert insights to hands-on handling, the full schedule for Finds Fest 2026 is officially live.

🎟️ Book your spot now via tinyurl.com/FindsFest

#FindsFest2026
#Archaeology
#MaterialCulture
#HistoricEngland
#CIfA
#SpecialistTraining

A poster calling for abstracts for a poster competition to be held at Finds Fest. The poster has a picture of finds with the text that says, "Finds Fest, Poster Competition, Call for Abstracts, Who can enter? Early career archaeologists. Why? Showcase new discoveries, innovative research, and cutting-edge methodologies in a friendly and diverse audience. How? Send your title and abstract (100 words max) to groups@archaeologists.net by 9 March 2026. See the Finds Fest event page for more info! Proposals will be reviewed by the Finds Group committee. Authors of accepted posters will receive confirmation and guidelines by 13 March! WIN CPD VOUCHERS!! Prizes kindly sponsored by SLR and Historic England".

🏺 CALL FOR POSTER ABSTRACTS | Finds Fest 2026
Are you an Early Career Archaeologist with a story to tell? We want to see your work in the spotlight!
For more information go to: tinyurl.com/FindsFest

May be a graphic of text that says "CIfA Finds Group FINDS FEST 25 March, 2026, MShed, Bristol. 9:30 AM -4:30 PM. Registration OPEN NOW. Early Career? Aspiring Specialist? Experienced Specialist? CONNECTING SPECIALISTS SUPPORTING CAREERS. Presentations, Thematic discussions, Career Journey Panel, Structured networking, Finds handling 'market stalls', Early careers poster competition. Event pricing Includes lunch and unlimited tea/coffee! •£50 CIfA member or Finds Group supporter •£65 non-member •£70 non-member* *(includes 12 months of Finds Group supporter membership worth £15!) Bursaries Available: Historic England and SLR.

Calling all Finds enthusiasts! 🦴⚒️
Join us for Finds Fest at M Shed, Bristol. A full day of expert insights, networking, and most importantly, hands-on finds handling sessions.
Presented by CIfA Finds Group, Historic England, and SLR.
Registration now open: www.archaeologists.net/civicrm/even...

May be an image of Emily Johnson with the text that says "CIfA Member's Day Exclusive online event for CIfA Members, 29 January 2026 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, CIfA Finds Group Chair 'Engage with groups', 3:20 PM. What you'll discover: Get a peek into the work of the Finds SIG. Check your members email for booking info Learn how you can share your work by speaking at our events. Find out how to reach out for consultations and wider dissemination of your work. Understand the key benefits of group membership. CIfA Chartered Institute Archaeologists"

Join us for the Member's Day ‘Engage with Groups’ session where Dr. Emily Johnson will be speaking about the Finds SIG!

Emily, the chair of Finds SIG, will share how her professional development has been enhanced through volunteering on a CIfA Group.
#volunteering
#cifafindsgroup
#cifa

A graphic with an image of artefact trays on the table with the text that says "FINDS FEST, 25 MARCH 2026, BRISTOL” SAVE THE DATE! More details coming soon! Bursaries Available. “Historic England, CIfA Finds Group, SLR"

We’re organizing the ultimate gathering for prospective and current finds specialists. A day full of insightful presentations, Q and A slots, and networking! There might even be some hands-on artefacts handling going on.

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: 25 March 2026. Don't say we didn't warn you. Details soon!

Graphic promoting the CIfA Finds Group AGM and keynote talk by Peter Guest on Roman military finds, taking place online on 1 December.

Join us for the CIfA Finds Group AGM + Keynote Talk!
🗓️ 1 December | 🕐 13:00 - 14:00 | 💻 Online
🎙️ Peter Guest presents A LEGION OF FINDS.
🔗 www.archaeologists.net/civicrm/even...
#CIfAFindsGroup
#AGM2025

The program for the event is shown, featuring a list of activities and timings for attendees.

A graphic with a photo of 1 person sitting on the floor with ceramics and text that says "FINAL PROGRAMME A LIFE ON THE TILES A conference in memory of Dr Philip Mills Saturday, September 20th 2025 10:00 am Birmingham and Midland Institute 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 3BS Contact: Contact.jeryrevanspot@gmail.com ATTENTION Please note registration in person closes on the 10th of September. Lecturers and participants are requested to wear their brightest colours to celebrate Phil's life and his love of Hawaiian shirts."

💛 Mark your calendars - this one’s for Phil 💛
Here is the final programme for the conference.
🔗 Full details & booking info available now - registration closes 10 September.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-life-on-...

Got a favourite memory of Phil? Share it below.

Wow, that's what we like to see on our feed. Well done Yara and Andy Agate.

✍️ Since then, a number of sector-wide specialists have collaborated to update and refine the resource. Among them are our Finds Group Chair, Emily Hay (formerly Johnson), and committee member Peter Guest, both of whom have played a key role in expertly revising the toolkit. 2/2

May be an image of text that says "Toolkit for Finds Reporting: Roman Coinage, Nationally recognised guide for planning, commissioning, and reporting on Roman coins, Designed for all archaeological project types - surface collection, watching briefs, evaluations & excavations, Covers every stage of the project lifecycle - from initiation to publication, Features a comprehensive Roman Coin Recording Template, Includes a short introductory video, downloadable PDF guidance, and a detailed FAQ section, Explore the full resource on CIfA's official Toolkit page, CIfA Finds Group, CIfA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists" with an image of a Roman coin with copyrights symbol and name Peter Guest.

🚨 NEW & UPDATED! 🚨

🏛 In 2024, Historic England endorsed a proposal to enhance CIfA’s nationally recognised Toolkit for Finds Reporting: Roman Coinage. 1/2

Explore the Toolkit 👇
www.archaeologists.net/work/toolkit...

#romancoins
#cifafindsgroup
#findsrecording
#historicengland

Beautiful finds!

Two people lifting a wooden mask from the ground.

Archaeologists excavating a beautifully-preserved wooden mask at the pre-contact Nunalleq site, located just south of the Indigenous Yup'ik village of Quinhagak, Alaska. A new digital museum makes this important archaeology accessible.

Learn more 🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...

Exhibition: nunalleq.org

A three-row necklace made up of over 500 beads, primarily crafted from limestone and jet, arranged in a horseshoe shape against a black background. The beads are irregularly shaped and strung closely together.

Fashionable some 6,000 years ago: a stunning Neolithic three-row necklace from Sachsenheim, dating to around 4,000 BC. This remarkable piece, which comprises more than 500 limestone and jet beads, is a witness to both craftsmanship and style.

📷 Landesmuseum Württemberg

#Archaeology 🏺

The site features updated content alongside a growing library of training materials and printable resources. 2/2

Photo shared by CIfA Finds on June 26, 2025 tagging @cardiffuni, and @conservators_uk. A graphic with text that says "FIRST AID for FINDS: Rebranded Website! Free and accessible, Comprehensive, and Links to additional resources. It has the logos of CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, RESCUE - The British Archaeological Trust, and Icon: THE INSTITUTE OF CONSERVATION”.

Check this out: firstaidforfinds.org

This rebranded website is a Cardiff University project, developed in partnership with @rescue-archaeology.bsky.social and Icon. The site now hosts the fourth edition of the trusted guide. 1/2

#firstaidforfinds
#cifafindsgroup
#conservation
#finds

He has also identified more than 40,000 Roman coins for commercial units, museums and universities, including numerous site-find assemblages as well as several important coin hoards. 2/2

Photo by CIfA Finds on June 18, 2025. May be a graphic of 1 person, and text that says "Introducing PETER GUEST ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBER Peter is an independent archaeologist and numismatist with more than 30 years' experience as a researcher, teacher, excavator, curator and project manager (Vianova Archaeology & Heritage Services). Peter's areas of expertise include Roman coinage and the monetary economy, as well as the archaeology of Britannia and the north-western provinces. CIfA Finds Group".

🌟 Next up in our introductions is our ordinary committee member (OCM), Peter Guest.

Peter has directed excavations at the legionary fortress at Caerleon, the late Roman villa at Hinton St Mary and, most recently, at Wroxeter Roman City. 1/2

#cifafindsgroup
#romancoinage
#numismatic

Within her role at Historic England, Rachel promotes training and mentoring opportunities for specialists, ensuring the continuous development of expertise within the field. 2/2

Photo by CIfA Finds on June 04, 2025. A graphic of 1 person, smiling, and text that says 'Introducing RACHEL CUBITT, ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBER Rachel is a small finds and post-excavation specialist with 18 years of experience in archaeology. She worked for various commercial units before joining Historic England in 2020. In her current role, Rachel undertakes research and manages post-excavation projects. She also focuses on improving standards in finds work across the sector. CIfA Finds Group'.

🌟 Next up in our introductions is our ordinary committee member (OCM), Rachel Cubitt.

Before joining Historic England in 2020, Rachel worked with various commercial units, honing her skills and expanding her knowledge. 1/2

#volunteersweek2025
#volunteers
#cifa
#findsgroup

Photo by CIfA Finds on June 04, 2025. An image of 1 person, smiling, and text that says 'Introducing LAURA RATCLIFF, ADVISOR, Laura graduated in 2001 in Archaeological Conservatior from Cardiff and has spent the years since working in both museums and archaeology in conservation and collections care. Laura currently works part time for the Cornwall Archaeological Unit as post-ex project officer and is spending increasingly more time working with stone objects. CIfA Finds Group'.

In addition to her conservation work, Laura undertakes various traditional archaeological roles. She engages in fieldwork, finds-related tasks, post-excavation work, and historic landscape conservation and management on a project-by-project basis.

In 2009, Laura established her own business, balancing both employed and self-employed roles depending on the project. 2/3

As it is Volunteers' Week, it is the perfect time for us to introduce some more of our Finds Group committee members.

🌟 Next up in our introductions is our Finds Group Advisor, Laura Ratcliff. 1/3

Photo by CIfA Finds on June 04, 2025. An image of a poster, and text that says 'It's time to say thank you VOLUNTEERS' WEEK, 165 individuals, 16 Secretaries in 176 roles, 21 Advisors, 17 Chairs, 105 ordinary committee members across 19 Area and Special Interest Groups, 6 Treasurers, 11 Vice-chairs. Thank you for your time and dedication. From everyone at CIfA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists'.

🎉 It's Volunteers' Week! 🎉

CIfA’s Groups thrive thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, who have contributed by delivering 41 networking and CPD events & engaging over 1,000 members.

A huge thank you to everyone who makes this possible!

#cifa
#volunteersrock
#volunteersweek2025

A save-the-date flyer with a photograph of Dr Phil Mills sitting on the floor with a pile of pottery sherds. The flyer has the text that says, "Save the date! September 20th 2025. Conference in memory of Dr Phil Mills. Birmingham and Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS. Contact: jerry.evanspot@gmail.com

📅 SAVE THE DATE

We would like to draw your attention to an upcoming conference held by The Study Group for Roman Pottery in memory of Dr Phil Mills, to be held on September 20th, 2025.

A full programme will be circulated in due course.

📌 Historic England is also holding a workshop to support the launch of these grants as a fringe event to the 2025 CIFA conference. 3/3

For more details and to book a place:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/archaeolog...

Heritage Protection Commissions Calls for Proposals | Historic England Heritage Protection Commissions (HPC) funds projects in response to specific calls for proposals.

🌐Full details and an application form are available on the Historic England website. 2/3

historicengland.org.uk/advice/grant...

Two women standing in a lab looking at some bone fragments with the text that says, 'Want to AMP up your career? Historic England is launching small grants for Archaeological Mentoring Partnerships to support the development of post-excavation specialist skills. AMP grants (£3,000 to £7,000) offer funding to enable experienced practitioners in archaeological post-excavation specialisms to provide emerging professionals with structured skills development, using a one-to-one mentoring approach. To support the launch of these grants we are running a workshop as a fringe event to the 2025 CIfA conference. Join us at the BMI in Birmingham on 29th April to meet potential Mentors or Mentees, learn good practice in what makes a great mentoring partnership and find out how you can apply for a grant! Read caption for more information.’

📣Archaeology Mentoring Partnership Grants

These grants will provide funding to enable experienced practitioners in archaeological post-excavation specialisms to provide emerging professionals with structured skills development for specific skill areas. 1/3

#HistoricEngland
#FindsSpecialist
#PostEx