The CITY of LONDON ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY - The COLAS 60+ project
In 2026, archaeological excavations in the City are conducted solely by teams of professional archaeologists employed by organisations such a MOLA, and funded by the developers of the sites they are recording. Way back in the 1960s, it was so very, very different. The pace of rebuilidng in the City was rapidly increasing and, as a direct consequence, much of its archaeological heritage was being destroyed unseen. This was because the Guildhall Museum empolyed just one (repeat just one) Excavation Assistant to monitor all those works, an impossible task, since there was no additional funding. However, some support was provided by a dedicated voluntary excavation team, which in 1964 became the City of London Excavation Group. This active organisation targetted redevelopment sites where archaeological features were being destroyed by the digging of deep foundations and new basements. Although they were often only able to work at weekends when the building contractors were off-site, they nevertheless were able to record some historic features before their destruction. That active group proved their worth, and as the need increased and their numbers swelled, they transformed into the City of London Archaeological Society in 1966.
• The COLAS 60+ project is now being launched to celebarate the crucial work that volunteers made in the saving of the City’s past in the face of the Corporation’s indifference. A key element of the project will be the Roll of Honour, the compilation of the names of all those who worked on the sites or processed the associated finds.
• Initially, we are launching the scheme by remembering the BAYNARD’S CASTLE excavations in 1972.
• Did you work there (BC72), or do you remember the names of those who did?
If so WE NEED TO KNOW!!
• Any recollections, photos, diary entries, anecdotes etc also gratefully received!
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