Geraldine Finlayson elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London

Prof Geraldine Finlayson was recently elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Election to the Fellowship is one of the highest honours in the fields of archaeology, heritage, and material culture. Fellows are elected by their peers in recognition of significant and sustained contributions to the study, preservation, and understanding of the human past.

Based in the heart of London, the Society is the centre of antiquarian learning, discovery and community. As a royal learned society, its Fellows have been inspiring scholarship, debate and research for over 300 years. In addition to premises in Burlington House, the Society of Antiquaries also owns Kelmscott Manor, the former home of William Morris and his family. William Morris was a hugely influential craftsman, designer, writer, environmentalist, socialist and much more. He is commonly referred to as the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement and in his early years was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Today, people such as archaeologists, historians, anthropologists and art historians all share in this antiquarian spirit, united by a fascination with how humans have travelled through time. The original aim of the Society’s founders - to protect and record the past - has grown into what we now call the heritage sector. As a result, its membership also includes archivists, curators, conservators and many other professionals dedicated to caring for our shared history.

Fellowship is awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to archaeology and heritage.

The Gibraltar National Museum welcomed this recognition from one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious learned societies, which was founded in 1707 and received its royal charter in 1751, and which is dedicated to the study and conservation of the past. This honour places Gibraltar’s heritage work further on the international stage and highlights the importance of the research carried out locally over many years.

Minister for Heritage, John Cortes, welcomed the appointment and commented: “I am really pleased and proud about this appointment. Geraldine’s election recognises her long-standing work on Gibraltar’s prehistoric and historic landscapes, her leadership in the Gorham’s Cave Complex World Heritage Site, her extensive record of research and publication, and her wider contributions to Gibraltar’s cultural and archaeological heritage. And I am certain there’s a great deal more to come from Geraldine and the team at the Gibraltar National Museum.”