In 2023 Oxford Archaeology are celebrating fifty years at the forefront of archaeological practice in the UK.
Founded in 1973 as the Oxfordshire Archaeological Unit (the ‘shire’ was later dropped) in response to the heritage crisis that followed the post-war development boom, Oxford Archaeology (OA) is now one of the most influential archaeological companies in the UK. In the decades since its formation, the company has grown from strength to strength and broadened its reach and focus far beyond Oxfordshire. In the 2000s, Oxford Archaeology expanded its presence in the UK: Lancaster University Archaeological Unit joined in 2001, becoming Oxford Archaeology Lancaster, and was followed by Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeological Field Unit in 2008, now known as Oxford Archaeology Cambridge.
Throughout 2023, OA will celebrate its work and the people who, through their passion for and dedication to archaeology, have been the key ingredient of its long history and great success. As part of the initiatives marking the anniversary, we will be sharing OA's 50 highlights: the top finds, sites and projects, which will be shared weekly on our social media channels. Chosen by OA staff past and present, the highlights represent key moments of the organisation's five decades in archaeology.
