Following Peter Ucko’s untimely death in June 2007 the WAC Executive set up a Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture and Award in recognition of the unique contribution that Peter made to WAC and world archaeology.

Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture

The lecture is given during major WAC Congresses, by an individual chosen by the Peter Ucko Memorial Committee (see below). Those approached to present the Lecture will normally be highly regarded in their field and would be expected to have shown a commitment to archaeology as envisaged by WAC and its principles. The lecture will be on any topic, relevant to WAC, agreed between the Memorial Committee and the individual approached.

It will normally be expected that the Lecturer will be a member of WAC, and who is attending, or wishing to attend, the WAC Congress. If necessary the Memorial Committee will seek to cover costs of registration, travel, and accommodation.

The first Memorial Lecture was given by Professor Michael Day at WAC-6, held in Dublin in 2008.

Peter Ucko Memorial Award

The Award will be presented to an individual – at whatever stage of their career, and whether or not they have followed a traditional academic path – who has made a significant contribution to archaeology as envisaged by WAC.

The first Peter Ucko Memorial Award was presented at WAC-6 in Dublin, and will be presented at every major WAC Congress. The Award will normally be presented to the recipient, by the President of WAC, immediately before the Memorial Lecture.

The Memorial Committee are now inviting nominations for the Award, from members of WAC, for presentation at WAC-7 in Jordan on January 14-18, 2013. We particularly welcome nominations from the WAC Near and Middle East Regional Electoral College in which WAC-7 is to be held.

Nominations must be made on the official Nomination Form, which should be sent by post to the convener of the Memorial Committee: Jane Hubert, Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31-34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, or by email to j.hubert@ucl.ac.uk.

The recipient for the Award will be chosen by the Memorial Committee* whose decision is final. The Memorial Committee will not enter into communication over its decision.

It will normally be expected that the recipient will be attending, or wishing to attend, the WAC Congress. If necessary the Memorial Committee will seek to cover costs of registration, travel, and accommodation.

Relationship between the Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture and Award

There will normally be no direct link between the Lecture and Award and the two should be conceived of and considered separately, although it is possible that the Lecturer could receive the Award.

Click here to download the nomination form (DOC)

* The members of the Memorial Committee for WAC-7 are Cressida Fforde, Bayo Folorunso, Jane Hubert, Robert Layton, Arek Marciniack, Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Gustavo Politis, Claire Smith and Larry Zimmerman.