Nitmiluk Gorge

Call For Nominations: Peter Ucko Memorial Award for WAC-10

The Peter Ucko Memorial Award and Lecture

Peter Ucko was the founding father of the World Archaeological Congress. Following his untimely death in June 2007, The Peter Ucko Archaeological Trust was set up by his many friends and colleagues. In 2019, the custodianship of the Trust fund was transferred to the World Archaeological Congress. 

In recognition of the unique contribution that Peter made to WAC and world archaeology, the fund shall provide the following for WAC-10 Darwin, Australia 2025:

  • The Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture; and
  • The Peter Ucko Memorial Award.

Decisions regarding the above are made by the Peter Ucko Memorial Committee for WAC-10 2025 comprising:

One WAC Officer

Five senior members of WAC who knew and worked with Peter Ucko

One  indigenous representative from the WAC Council

Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture

The Peter Ucko Memorial Lecture is presented during every major WAC Congress at a time when no other academic or social events are timetabled. The Lecture is normally be chaired by the President of WAC.

The lecture will be given by an individual chosen by the Peter Ucko Memorial Committee and will normally be expected to be a member of WAC. 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 attending, or wishing to attend, the WAC Congress. If necessary the Memorial Committee will seek to cover costs of registration, travel, and accommodation.

Peter Ucko Memorial Award

The Peter Ucko Memorial Award will be presented at every major WAC Congress.

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 Award went to Larry Zimmerman at WAC-6 in Ireland, to Peter Stone at WAC-7 in Jordan, to Peter Schmidt at WAC-8 in Kyoto, and to Claire Smith (AO) at WAC-9 in Prague.

Nominations must be made on the official Nomination Form that follows below. The deadline for receipt of nomination for the Peter Ucko Memorial Award to be presented at WAC-10 is 4 April. 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.

The Award will normally be presented to the recipient, by the President of WAC or a member of the Memorial Committee, immediately before the Memorial Lecture.

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.

Please note the closing date for nominations is 4 April.