Cambrian Archaeological Association – One of the oldest societies in Wales and the Marches devoted to the study of the history and archaeology of the Principality.

Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Cambrian Archaeological Association
Registered Charity no. 216249

About the Cambrian Archaeological Association

The premier society for the study of the archaeology and history of Wales and the Marches

The Cambrian Archaeological Association was founded in 1846 and it is a registered charity (no. 216249). Its charitable objects are ‘to examine, preserve and illustrate the ancient monuments and remains of the history, language, manners, customs, arts and industries of Wales and the Marches and to educate the public in such matters’.

Since its foundation the Association has published an annual journal, Archaeologia Cambrensis (free to members) which has contained articles by the foremost scholars of the day on historical documents, architectural history, family history and archaeological monuments, finds and excavations.

Dates for your Diary

Events

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News

Annual General Meeting – 7.30pm, Thursday 12th November 2026

The 173rd Annual General Meeting of The Cambrian Archaeological Association/ Cymdeithas Hynafiaethau Cymru will be held via Zoom at 7.30pm, Thursday 12th November 2026. Joining details will be emailed to members nearer the time. The Minutes of the 2025 AGM, the Agenda for 2026 and the 2025 Trustees Annual Report and Accounts can be Read more about Annual General Meeting – 7.30pm, Thursday 12th November 2026[…]

Meet the President – Dr Chris Caple

Dr Chris Caple Our President for 2026-27 is Dr Chris Caple ACR, FIIC, FSA, Emeritus Reader in Archaeological Conservation at the Department of Archaeology, University of Durham. Chris graduated from the University of Wales, College of Cardiff in 1979 with a BSc in Archaeological Conservation. He was awarded his PhD in 1986 by the Read more about Meet the President – Dr Chris Caple[…]

Summer Meeting in Durham 13th – 20th July, 2026

The Summer Meeting this year will be in Durham, the episcopal capital of the north-east of England. This is a long way from Wales but there are good train services to the city. The journey takes 5 hours from Bangor; 4 hours from Chester or Shrewsbury and 6 hours from Cardiff. You might like to Read more about Summer Meeting in Durham 13th – 20th July, 2026[…]

National Eisteddfod Lecture: 5 August 2026, 2pm – Llantood

CAA annual Welsh-language Eisteddfod lecture 2pm Wednesday 5 August 2026 (by Gerallt Nash). Join us for our annual Welsh-language lecture on the Maes at Llantood where we will learn about the wind- and water-powered mills of south-west Wales and how they produced cloth and flour over many centuries, with a couple of each still surviving.

Autumn Meeting Great Malvern 21st – 23rd September 2026

The Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern, will be our base for the Autumn Meeting running, not over a weekend, but from Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd September. This has allowed us to secure accommodation and meals at this heavily booked up hotel (sited literally next door to Great Malvern Priory) at reasonable rates. Malvern is readily Read more about Autumn Meeting Great Malvern 21st – 23rd September 2026[…]

Walks and Talks Programme, 2026

Come and join us on our Walks and Talks Programme for 2026, free of charge, guided by experts who will lead you around a selection of walks in different areas of Wales, covering many different periods and types of historic and archaeological sites. Some of the eight walks may be subject to change in Read more about Walks and Talks Programme, 2026[…]

Christmas Lecture – 7pm, Thursday, 3 December 2026

Reconstructing Hadrian’s Wall: How did it look in antiquity? By Professor David Breeze Hot on the heels of the Cambrians’ summer meeting in Durham, during which we visit several sites along Hadrian’s Wall under the expert guidance of David Breeze, we are delighted to announce that he has agreed to deliver our 2026 Read more about Christmas Lecture – 7pm, Thursday, 3 December 2026[…]

Jenny Britnell

It is with great sadness that the Trustees of the Association must advise our members of the death of Jenny Britnell, our Treasurer, on 14 February after a short illness. Jenny had worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the Association, keeping our finances in good heart, guiding us in the fulfilment of Read more about Jenny Britnell[…]

Hello, Elizabeth and Henry

We wondered if anyone could possibly replace Heather as General Secretary, but to our delight Elizabeth Walker, past President of the Association and recently retired from Amgueddfa Cymru, volunteered to take on the job. She has already successfully produced the Newsletter for this year and is actively involved in several other projects. Elizabeth held a Read more about Hello, Elizabeth and Henry[…]

Thank You, Heather and Marie Thérèse

Heather James has been serving as the Association’s General Secretary for seventeen years. In that time, she has done an amazing amount of work, organising meetings, writing reports, guiding Trustees with wise counsel and keeping us all in order. It is she who knows better than anyone the Association’s Rules and Statutes, its customs, Read more about Thank You, Heather and Marie Thérèse[…]

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