Some Reflections on the Archaeological Institute's Oxford Congress in 1850

Abstract

The Archaeological Institute came into being in 1845 as a rival to the British Archaeological Association, itself founded 1843–44. Departing significantly from the contemporary traditions of established antiquarian societies, both held annual summer meetings thereafter. These introduced authoritative speakers, new discoveries and historical interpretations to a wider public, conference proceedings being published for a while in bespoke volumes. High-status congresses became but one element of an ongoing bitter competitive rivalry dividing the two bodies during their formative years. Preliminary examination of conference reports 1845–1850 offers some explanation as to why the societies were not easily to be reconciled. Both usefully lobbied for greater government responsibility in conservation, and for a better public understanding of the national past. Though neither readily accepted a Three Age System for pre-Roman Britain, both promoted scholarly standards for archaeology and architectural history. The 1850 Oxford meeting was the first purely archaeological congress held at an English University. Its success helped mark the Institute as the premier archaeological society of the day.