Introducing the Birmingham & Warwickshire Archaeological Society Lecture Programme for 2023 – 2024. Our lectures are open to members and non-members alike.
Our lectures are FREE for members and members of affiliated societies. Members do not need to book tickets.
Non-member tickets are available for £5 (+booking fee). You will find links to book tickets on Eventbrite below.
All lectures commence at 7pm unless otherwise stated.
Attendees under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children who are covered by a BWAS Family Membership must be accompanied by an adult from the same membership.
Tuesday 3rd October 2023
I met a traveller from an antique land: travels of an archaeologist in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq
The tales of a traveller in antique lands, from the colossal memorials of Ramses II in Egypt through Jordan and Syria to the heartland of ancient civilisation in Iraq. Pella, Petra, Ain Ghazal, Kadesh, Tell Sheikh Hamad, Abu Salabikh and beyond. Sites, monuments, excavations and excavators, ancient and modern – all human life was here.
Speaker: Dr Ellen McAdam
Venue: The Wellington Pub
Tuesday 7th November 2023
Birmingham’s Buildings at Risk
Birmingham has nearly 1800 listed buildings ranging from medieval churches to 1970s office blocks, while most historic buildings in the city are used and cared for, some do become ‘at risk’ of decay and dereliction due to a variety of factors. The talk will look at the reasons why buildings become at risk and what is being done to save them looking at a range of cases from across the city.
Speaker: Chris Patrick
Venue: The Wellington Pub
Non-member tickets: Buy now
Tuesday 5th December 2023
NEW LECTURE TO BE CONFIRMED
This lecture will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting.
Speaker: Mark Roberts
Venue: The Wellington Pub
Non-member tickets: On sale soon
Tuesday 16th January 2024 (12pm – 2pm)
Encounters with Achilles: The Discovery of a Trojan War Mosaic in a Rutland Field
In 2020 a Rutland landowners walk across fields during the pandemic lockdown led to the discovery of one of the most exciting Roman mosaics in over a century. The unique example of ancient art featured scenes of Achilles and his battle with Prince Hector of Troy as told by Homer in his epic Trojan War poem The Iliad which were the first of their kind from Roman Britain. John Thomas will describe the discovery of the mosaic and its imagery and will talk about further work by University of Leicester Archaeological Services & Historic England that has revealed the wider setting of the mosaic, within an extensive villa complex.
Speaker: John Thomas
Venue: The Wellington Pub
Non-member tickets: Buy now
Tuesday 6th February 2024 (12pm – 2pm)
The progression of patronage and of the display of status: examples from the Collegiate Church of St. Mary, Warwick
St. Mary’s Warwick is one of the finest parish churches in England, the product of the patronage of the earls of Warwick for over three hundred years. The lecture will explore how successive earls became increasingly determined and innovative as they strove to define their legacy through building, architecture, and art, culminating in the magnificent and stunning Beauchamp chapel. Attendees are invited to join Tim for a visit to St Mary’s Warwick after the lecture. The church is a 10 minute walk away from the venue.
Speaker: Tim Clark
Venue: Warwick Quaker Centre
Non-member tickets: Buy now