Roman Finds Group
The Roman Finds Group (RFG) provides a forum for all those with an interest in Roman artefacts. Founded in 1988, our membership is drawn from both professional and amateur spheres, and new members are always welcome.
Meetings are usually held twice a year in different parts of the country, normally on a Monday - although we are currently experimenting with holding meetings on a Saturday - in Spring and Autumn. The meetings consist of lectures from invited speakers on a theme, as well as short contributions from members on recently discovered artefacts. The themes alternate between exploration of particular topics and reviews of recent artefact research in the area in which the meeting is held. The former category has included surveys of artefacts from cemeteries, an examination of the opportunities and problems provided by waterlogged finds and a review of the evidence for craft and industry in Roman Britain. Regional reviews have taken place in the areas of Hadrian's Wall, South Wales and the South-West of England. The aim of all our meetings is to provide members with access to current research in advance of publication. From time to time joint meetings are held with museums or other special interest organisations such as the 700-1700 Finds Research Group and the United Kingdom Institute for Conservation.
Lucerna, the RFG newsletter is published in hard copy twice a year, and has recently passed its fortieth edition. It contains articles which give an introduction to the literature on particular types of finds, as well as short notices of individual interesting items in advance of publication. Book and conference reviews are also included, together with notices of meetings and conferences that may be of interest to the membership. The newsletter also provides a forum in which members can appeal for help with puzzling artefacts. Contributions are always welcome; please contact the Newsletter Editors Emma Durham and Lindsey Smith (see 'RFG Committee' page).
Datasheets are also sent to RFG members; Datasheet 1 - Engraved Gemstones: A Guide for the Small Finds Specialist by Dr Martin Henig - was published in 2006 and is still available for new members. After something of a hiatus, Datasheet 2 has been sent out with Lucerna 40 - Jet, Shale and Other Allied Materials by Lindsay Allason-Jones. Datasheet 3 - Roman Beads by Barbara Birley - is due out soon. With several more (eg pipeclay figurines, seal boxes, latch lifters) in the pipeline, we hope to establish the Datasheets as a collectable series; please contact our Publications Co-ordinator Gill Dunn (see 'RFG Committee' page) if you would like to be sent Datasheets 1-3 (or members can access these through the 'members login' area below), or indeed if you would like to contribute a future Datasheet.
Do also let us know what you think about this website, as well as what else you would like to see within it, and please feel free to submit details of forthcoming events that you wish to see advertised, or news that may interest our members, to Nicola Hembrey (see 'RFG Committee' page).
If you would like to join the RFG, please click here.