We explore and share a passion for past societies and religious beliefs, from prehistory to the present day, in a way that impacts academia, educators, heritage organisations, healthcare professionals, government policy-makers, and the general public.

We believe in enhancing long-standing relationships with these external beneficiaries. We do this through a broad range of activities including:

Highlights

Saving metal heritage for future generations

Our research has guided the decisions saving our metal heritage, from archaeological repositories containing millions of artefacts charting human history to iconic ships including the Mary Rose, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the Spanish Armada.

stock shot muslims praying

Informing Muslims about organ donation

Dr Mansur Ali is helping fellow Muslims explore their faith’s stance on these life-saving procedures.

Stonehenge in Wiltshire

Consuming Prehistory: changing attitudes to food and enhancing heritage practice

Cardiff archaeologists have overturned our understanding of prehistoric food, farming and feasting, creating a change in heritage practice.

Acropolis, Athens at sunset.

Transforming access to the inscriptions of ancient Athens and Attica

Attic Inscriptions Online unlocks major source of ancient Greek and Latin records.

Thousands of ceramic poppies fill the moat of the Tower of London.

Who is remembering for whom? Changing practice on remembrance at Historic Royal Palaces

Since 2012, Cardiff University’s Dr Jenny Kidd has worked with cultural institutions as they diversify remembrance activities and meaningfully engage non-traditional and younger audiences.

School students looking through old bones.

The Hidden Hillfort: harnessing heritage to improve lives, community and culture

Creating new pasts and new futures: community project uncovers 6,000 years of heritage to address challenges in the present.

Past highlights

Soldiers beside the sphinx.

Views of an Antique Land

A new online visual archive presents the little known Egypt and Palestine theatre of the First World War, as it was seen through the eyes of British soldiers.

Welsh flag painted on face

The changing identity of Welsh emigrants

Research reveals how the identity of Welsh migrants changed as they adapted to new cultures.

Protected hull of ss Great Britain

Saving heritage ironwork from the ravages of rust

Studying effective corrosion cures to help our museums preserve ironwork for posterity.

Buddhist prayer book

Translation research shapes Buddhist practice in Germany

Our pioneering research into the translation of a sacred Buddhist text has influenced contemporary Buddhist practice in Germany.

Birth and Death of Czechoslovakia panel

Reassessing the past: changing public understanding of Czechoslovakia's treatment of minorities

A ground-breaking project showcasing how historical research can impact the wider world and shape international policy.