MTAP: The Middle Thames Archaeology Partnership
In 2023 SOAG joined MTAP. This page outlines what MTAP is and provides links to current MTAP activities that are of interest to SOAG and its members.
What is MTAP?
Established in 2018, the Middle Thames Archaeology Partnership seeks to
enhance, protect and harness the archaeological heritage of the Middle
Thames region through partnerships and collaborative research between the
University of Reading and governmental, commercial and third sector
organisations.
https://research.reading.ac.uk/middle-thames-archaeology/projects/
The Partnership’s core geographic focus is the prominent loop of the River
Thames embracing the modern town of Maidenhead, nested within a wider canvas
of riverine parishes extending from Goring Gap in the west to the river’s
upper tidal reaches in the east. This micro-region offers a powerful lens
for exploring how the River Thames has shaped human narratives and cultural
trajectories in the past. But that potential remains largely untapped
because it has not benefitted from the same level archaeological research
and synthesis as adjacent stretches of the river.
The key aims of the project are threefold:
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To improve access to information on archaeological heritage within the partnership region as a basis for research, education, outreach and protection
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To utilise archaeological heritage to pursue research questions that are grounded in the specifics of the partnership region, but look beyond the local context
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To create opportunities for stakeholders to come together to co-design and co-deliver initiatives that maximise the public and academic benefit of archaeological heritage
Current activities of interest for SOAG (2023)
Through SOAG's membership of MTAP, SOAG members have priorty access to the following digs in 2023
Cookham excavations
https://research.reading.ac.uk/middle-thames-archaeology/projects/cookham-excavations
This multi-year Reading University led project, has several sOAG volunteers participating. The 2023 seaon begins in late July.
Thames Riverine deposition project
This project is the subject of a PhD being undertaken by Miles Clifford at Reading University, beginning in 2023. It provides opportunites for volunteers to assist, mainly with desk-based research. Here are three documents to explain the opportunity and how to be involved;