Summary

Current Archaeology describes itself as the "United Kingdom's best selling archaeology magazine", a claim substantiated by British Archaeological Jobs and Resources online, which labels the title 'Britain's favourite archaeology magazine'. It was founded in 1967 by Andrew Selkirk

Andrew Selkirk

Andrew Selkirk is Editor-in-chief of Current Publishing, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and former Vice-President of the Royal Archaeological Institute.- Early life and education :Selkirk attended his very first dig aged 13 years old...

, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries

Society of Antiquaries of London

The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...

, and the present editor-in-chief. Issue 1 was mailed free of charge to university academics and archaeologists, with invitations to become subscribers from Issue 2. The magazine now has more than 17,000 subscribers worldwide. From 1967 to 2007 the magazine was bi-monthly, becoming monthly in November 2007. Rob Selkirk is publisher of the magazine, through Current Publishing

Current Publishing (UK)

- Summary :Current Publishing was founded in 1998. The company now publishes three titles: Current Archaeology, Current World Archaeology, and Military Times, in addition to several online services dedicated to archaeology, heritage, and sites of historical significance.Current Publishing was...

.

The magazine covers all periods of British archaeology, from prehistory to the present day. It also publishes an annual Archaeology Handbook, which aims to be the quickest way to find out about archaeology in Britain, covering digs, societies, professional organisations, education, and more. The magazine is designed to cater for a wide spectrum of enthusiasts from amateur archaeologists to academics and practising professionals. The magazine is particularly popular amongst students and scholars. In December 2010, The Heritage Journal noted that "All-in-all Current Archaeology is eminently readable".

Regular features and contents

According to The Heritage Journal, "Each issue usually focusses on just 3 or 4 main articles as well as the usual editorial and news/reviews sections that you’d expect. The main articles usually provide in depth information about a recent dig or geographic theme – recent editions have included articles on ‘UnRoman Britain’ and ‘British Hoards’... Each issue also has a one page article titled ‘Odd Socs’, each issue covering one of the more ‘minority interest’ organisations. The back cover usually contains a GB map with pins to denote the geographical areas covered within the issue."

A sister magazine, Current World Archaeology

Current World Archaeology

Current World Archaeology is a magazine devoted to archaeology spanning the globe.- Summary :The magazine focuses particularly on Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Near East, and Greece and Rome, although the whole world is covered...

, launched in September 2003, deals with archaeology outside Britain.

Current Archaeology Live

"Current Archaeology Live" is an annual conference, summarising the year's significant events, finds and developments in the world of archaeology. The conference features lectures on previous and upcoming stories reported by Current Archaeology by noted academics and contributors. Past speakers include Oxford graduate Terry Jones

Terry Jones

Terence Graham Parry Jones is a Welsh comedian, screenwriter, actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator, and TV documentary host. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team....

, of Monty Python

Monty Python

Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...

 fame, who spoke at the 2010 conference on 'Romans and Barbarians'.

Awards

In 2009, Current Archaeology founded the Archaeology Awards

Archaeology Awards

The Archaeology Awards is an annual awards ceremony celebrating achievements in the field of Archaeology.- Summary :The Archaeology Awards was founded by the British magazine Current Archaeology, with the first ceremony hosted by Francis Pryor, and attended by leading figures from the archaeology...

, an annual ceremony to celebrate noted archaeologists and events. Categories, which are voted in part by the public, include Archaeologist of the Year; Research Project of the Year; Rescue Dig of the Year; and Book of the Year.