York shortlisted for two top archaeology awards

Posted on Wednesday 1 June 2016

Internet Archaeology, an open access, not-for-profit journal based in York’s Department of Archaeology, and a project involving the examination of a unique Mesolithic engraved pendant from Star Carr, are both shortlisted for the Best Archaeological Innovation Award.

The British Archaeological Awards showcase the latest discoveries and innovations in archaeology across the UK. They aim to celebrate and share the best of British archaeology with the public.

‘A Unique Engraved Shale Pendant from the Site of Star Carr’ is a Postglacial project led by Professor Nicky Milner in association with Internet Archaeology – a journal publishing academic content, exploring the potential of electronic publication through the inclusion of multimedia.

Professor Milner, Deputy Head of York’s Department of Archaeology, said: "The Star Carr team are very excited about being shortlisted for such a prestigious award. It is great recognition for the huge amount of research that everyone spent in the analysis of the pendant, and the innovative techniques that were tested. These have also generated much public interest which has been very pleasing."

Judith Winters, Editor of Internet Archaeology, said: "I am thrilled that Internet Archaeology has also been nominated in this category. The switch from a subscription journal to a fully open-access one was a big, brave move for an independent journal but the timing was right.

“Open access to archaeological research offers significant academic, professional and social benefits and is the most effective way of ensuring that research can be read, integrated and built upon. As an open access journal, Internet Archaeology creates more value than it did as a closed version."

Andrew Davidson, Chair of the British Archaeological Awards judging panel for the Best Archaeological Innovation Award, said of the two projects: “The availability of an open-access journal for archaeology was appreciated in full by the judges, and in particular the rapid adoption of new online publishing methodologies in Internet Archaeology. The journal enables prompt publication of significant new information and is freely available to anyone with access to the internet. This service, of fundamental interest to all involved with archaeological research and its dissemination, is currently unique within British archaeology.”

“The judges were impressed with the way in which the different scanning methods of the Star Carr Shale Pendant were carried through to full publication for the Postglacial project. The choice of an open–access journal and website to publicise the results has ensured wide public access, and the provision of a comprehensive suite of online tools to examine the object, encourages the reader to understand and re-interpret the findings.”

Winners will be announced at the British Archaeological Awards ceremony at the British Museum in London on 11 July, compèred by ‘Meet the Ancestors’ archaeologist and TV presenter Julian Richards.