The CHAT group was established in February 2003 to provide opportunities for dialogue to develop among researchers in the fields of later historical archaeology and the archaeology of the contemporary world. The group is based in Britain, but encourages international perspectives. It is grounded in archaeology, but promotes interdisciplinary dialogue. Since its establishment, the group has held annual conferences in November. The group publishes its conference proceedings and other single authored monographs as part of the Studies in Contemporary and Historical Archaeology series, published by Archaeopress.
CHAT’s standing committee is drawn from a diverse range of archaeologists, heritage professionals and academic researchers in cognate disciplines who are interested in contemporary and historical archaeological material and practices, from a number of different UK and US-based organisations and universities.
CHAT hosts a lively email discussion list for the circulation of information related to, and general discussion of current issues in, theory and practice in contemporary archaeology and historical archaeology in the UK and internationally. This list is also used by the Standing Committee to announce relevant items of news or information.
Test pit at Coleford, photo © D Hicks