The urban fabric of a city may change, but traces of the past often persist in unexpected ways. Today, we look at the faded remnants of old shops and businesses that once lined Exeter’s streets.

As we look forward to receiving your paper proposals for TAG, we spotlight yet another site in Exeter that reflects the theme of the conference: the Church of St Mary Major!

Our call for papers is now open! Head to our website to check out the amazing 35 sessions that will be hosted during the conference. Deadline to submit abstracts is 5 pm BST, 7 September 2026.

Today’s spotlight post looks at Exeter’s Catacombs! As cemeteries within the relatively small city of Exeter filled over time, a need for new burial spaces arose. Eventually, the cholera epidemic of 1832 precipitated the construction of the first publicly funded cemetery in England: the Catacombs.

What happens when the historic fabric of a city comes into conflict with urban development? Today, we look at the story of the Merchant House, a 15th century Tudor house in Exeter, which became a subject of a remarkable act of preservation as the medieval city around it was lost.

Thanks to those who have already submitted session proposals! We have extended the deadline for submission of session proposals to 5 pm, Friday 22nd May, to give time for a few final proposals to come in. Submit your proposals using the form link here: tag2026.square.site/sessions

We are pleased to announce our second keynote speaker for this year's conference: Prof. Catherine J. Frieman! Have you submitted to our call for sessions yet? If not, there is still time! The deadline for the call for sessions is 15th May, 5pm BST.

Continuing with our theme of persistence and loss in Exeter, let’s take a look at the Iron Bridge in Exeter and the changing nature of an important routeway into the city. Deadline to submit your session proposals is this Friday, 15th May, 5pm BST. We look forward to receiving your proposals!

We are pleased to announce our first keynote speaker for this year's conference: Prof. Sara Rich! More keynote speakers to be revealed soon so stay tuned! Have you submitted to our call for sessions yet? If not, there is still time! The deadline for the call for sessions is 15th May, 5pm BST.

Today we take a look at the Rougemont Castle, a symbol of both upheaval and survival within Exeter's urban fabric. Named for the red stone from which it was built, the Rougemont castle embodies loss and persistence in the very heart of the city. The call for sessions is still open!

The medieval Exe bridge, first constructed in the late 12th-early 13th century CE, showcases how a monument continues to survive, transform and adapt in a context of loss and change. Our call for sessions is now open! Send us your proposals by 5 pm BST, 15th of May! tag2026.square.site/sessions

Our call for sessions is now open! tag2026.square.site/sessions We encourage you to propose sessions that focus on theoretical archaeology in any shape or form, but particularly topics that align with our conference theme of persistence/ loss. Deadline 5pm, Friday 15 May.

Welcome to TAG 2026, the 47th Annual Meeting of the Theoretical Archaeology Group! The Department of Archaeology and History at the University of Exeter is thrilled to be hosting the conference this year, 14-16 December. Our call for sessions is now open! tag2026.square.site