Meeting of Southern County Archaeological Societies

The role of county archaeological societies has changed a great deal since most of them were formed in the middle of the last century. Now the archaeological world seems to be in a state of change and these societies are having to keep their roles under review. While they may have been able to operate in isolation from each other in the past, cooperation, if only in discussing mutual problems, is likely to become more common.

Four of this Society's officers met their counterparts from five other county societies earlier this year to discuss the value of such cooperation. These were Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Wiltshire Societies. They vary a great deal, from those mainly concerned with archaeology to three which are just as much concerned with natural history. Three run their own museums, two have at least one building or scheduled site in their custody, and four of them employ staff ranging in number from 2 to 47.

It was clear to your officers that this Society provides as much, if not more, for its members than any of the others. Yet, despite this, when you include the cost of the annual volume, our Society has the lowest annual subscription. Many of them produce their volumes in soft-back format, yet, despite this, our Hon. Editor is able to produce Archaeological Cantiana at a lower unit cost than any of the others. The meeting was mainly concerned with Societies getting to know something about each other. It is likely that there will be further meetings, concentrating on particular areas of mutual concern.

Andrew Moffat, Hon. General Secretary, KAS.