Making Merseyside: Metropolitan identity to localism in an era of public archaeology
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 15/01/2017

Merseyside Archaeological Society was founded to protect and encourage public interest in the archaeological heritage of the new Merseyside metropolitan authority formed in 1974. As the MAS celebrates its 40th year, this paper constructs a biography of its achievements and evolution, drawn from the records, publications and experiences of the last 40 years. It considers what is formative in the making of a resilient local archaeological group. How does its history reflect broader shifts in public policy and heritage practice, from creating a new metropolitan heritage identity in the 1970s to the present era of public archaeology and community heritage?

Gill Chitty, University of York