Aims and History of the European Association of Archaeologists


The EAA is the association for all archaeologists of Europe and beyond. Please sign in if you are a current Member, or sign up for membership if you have not been a Member before.

The EAA has had over 12,000 registered Members from 120 countries worldwide working in prehistoric, classical, medieval and post-medieval/pre-modern archaeology. Upon signing in, you can view EAA membership statistics, search your fellow Members or interact with EAA Boards and Committees, and find out more about and interact with EAA Communities. For any questions you might have about the EAA, please feel free to contact the EAA Secretariat at helpdesk@e-a-a.org.

The EAA has participatory status with the Council of Europe and joined the European Heritage Alliance 3.3 in 2017. The EAA promotes professional and ethical standards of archaeological work through its Statutes and Codes. The EAA Communities help define important aspects of archaeological work through constant discussion and consultation with EAA membership at EAA Annual Meetings and in EAA publications: the European Journal of Archaeology, Themes in Contemporary Archaeology monographs, the Elements series and The European Archaeologist (TEA) electronic newsletter.

The EAA awards annually the European Archaeological Heritage Prize, Student Award, Early Career Achievement Prize of the Oscar Montelius Foundation and EAA Book Prize. The Oscar Montelius Foundation aims to promote the interests of the EAA and its Members.

EAA Aims


  • To promote the development of archaeological research and the exchange of archaeological information in Europe.
  • To promote the management and interpretation of the European archaeological heritage.
  • To promote proper ethical and scientific standards for archaeological work.
  • To promote the interests of professional archaeologists in Europe.
  • To promote archaeology to the public, and to raise awareness of archaeology in Europe.
  • To promote cooperation with other organisations with similar aims.
  • To promote interest in archaeological remains as evidence of the human past and contributing to our knowledge of human culture and to discourage a focus upon any commercial value that may attach to such material.
  • To work for the protection of archaeological remains and cultural heritage, including the prevention of related illegal activities.
  • To promote friendship and peaceful cooperation of archaeologists.

EAA Presidents


Name Term of office
Kristian Kristiansen                1994 - 1998
Willem Willems 1998 - 2003
Anthony Harding 2003 - 2009
Friedrich Lüth 2009 - 2014
Marc Lodewijckx acting president 2014 - 2015 
Felipe Criado-Boado 2015 - 2021
Eszter Bánffy 2021 - 2027