£1.8m AHRC funding awarded to Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History

Nearly two million pounds of funding from UK Research and Innovation’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has been awarded to the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History (SAAH) to upgrade its archaeological material laboratories.

The laboratories will be brought up to date with state of the art facilities to strengthen and expand research capabilities in materials analysis, spectroscopy and petrography, use wear analysis of tools, digitisation of materials and of archaeological sites, providing students, researchers and community partners, access to world class research facilities.

This award formed part of a landmark UKRI £15m Capability in Collections investment in the arts and humanities which will go to securing the future of the UK’s galleries, libraries, archives and museums. 

Dr Huw Barton, Reader in Bioarchaeology at the University of Leicester said:

“The School of Archaeology and Ancient History is extremely proud to be a recipient of this new AHRC initiative to fund World Class Labs in the Humanities.

“The School provides a flourishing and vibrant research environment, and is home to a world-class, international team of scholars engaged in cutting-edge research with a long history of making high-impact, world-leading discoveries.

“Our new institutional strategy, shaped by our ambition as Citizens of Change, focusses attention on four research strengths, which includes Culture and Heritage. This equipment further strengthens institutional expertise and our research partnerships in heritage science with staff in the Colleges of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and the College of Science and Engineering.”

Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of AHRC said:

“AHRC are proud to support the Capability for Collections (CapCo) Fund as a landmark investment in our galleries, libraries, archives, museums and special collections. 

“Our Collections organisations form the backbone of our heritage economy and act as a vital resource and source of inspiration for many diverse researchers. They are important drivers of innovation and maintaining and supporting them helps to create a healthier, more resilient society. 

“AHRC recognises that investment in maintaining and improving research and development facilities will offer vital support and help to carry these organisations into a more sustainable and innovative future.”