Professor Angus Buchanan and the early days of Industrial Archaeology

Professor Angus Buchanan in his office at the University of Bath c1970

Industrial archaeology is a field of study that focuses on material evidence associated with the industrial past. It covers a wide range of topics, from mineral extraction and transportation to manufacturing and public utilities, and is underpinned by an interest in valuing, learning from and preserving our industrial heritage.

Professor Angus Buchanan (1930-2020) was appointed as an assistant lecturer at Bristol College of Science and Technology (which later became the University of Bath) in 1960 and stayed until his retirement in 1995. Specialising in the history of industry and technology, he was actively involved with the work of the Association for Industrial Archaeology, the National Trust, the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, and the International Committee for the History of Technology.

This small online exhibition provides a brief introductory overview of the beginnings of industrial archaeology in the UK originally curated to coincide with the Association for Industrial Archaeology 50th Anniversary Conference and Seminar at the University of Bath, 1st-6th September 2023. Featuring items from the Buchanan Collection, it references an article by Professor Buchanan entitled ‘The Origins and Early Days of the AIA’ published in Industrial Archaeology News 169, Summer 2014.

For more information about any of the items exhibited or to arrange a viewing please visit the University of Bath Archives & Research Collections web pages.

With thanks to Keith Falconer, Hon President, Association for Industrial Archaeology.