Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London (SAL) is a venerable institution dedicated to the study and preservation of the material past. Established in 1707 and formally incorporated by royal charter in 1751, it is the oldest independent learned society in the UK focused exclusively on antiquities and history. Headquartered at Burlington House in Piccadilly, London, the Society also manages Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire, the former home of William Morris.
Membership
Fellows (full members) of the society are elected by existing fellows and are entitled to use the post-nominal letters FSA after their names. The election procedure is selective, and fellowship is regarded as recognition of significant achievement in the fields of archaeology, antiquities, history, or heritage.[citation needed] A nomination must be made by an existing fellow and endorsed by five and twelve other fellows. A secret ballot of the membership is then held; to be successful, a candidate must receive two "yes" votes for every "no" vote.
Current (2025) membership is £205 per annum.
The modern membership of around 3,300 fellows mainly consists of archaeologists and historians, who can use the post-nominal letters FSA after their names.
In June 2022, the society introduced a lower tier of "affiliate membership", open to anyone on payment of an annual subscription. Benefits include access to and borrowing rights from the society's library.
Mission & Activities
The Society's mission is to encourage, advance, and promote the study and knowledge of antiquities and history. Its Fellows—experts in archaeology, history, and heritage—participate in research, lectures, and publications. The Society provides grants, organizes events, and maintains important collections of manuscripts, paintings, and artifacts.
Publications
SAL has a rich publishing history, including:
- Vetusta Monumenta: A series of illustrated papers on ancient buildings and artifacts, published from 1718 to 1906.
- Archaeologia: A journal initiated in 1770, featuring scholarly articles on antiquity. It was relaunched as an occasional digital journal in 2023.
- The Antiquaries Journal: Established in 1921, this annual journal continues to publish research on archaeology and history.
- Salon: A fortnightly online newsletter providing updates on the Society's activities and research.
Collections & Exhibitions
The Society's collections include over 100 paintings displayed at Burlington House and Kelmscott Manor. These works are accessible through Art UK's platform. The Society also offers online exhibitions and a searchable database of its collections.
External links
- Official website
- Making History: 300 years of antiquaries in Britain. https://web.archive.org/web/20130517170123/http://makinghistory.sal.org.uk/ Date: 17 May 2013 .
- Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London (HathiTrust)
Chat rooms • What links here • Copyright info • Contact information • Category:Root