This presentation by Dr Jim Mearns will relate the history of Glasgow Archaeological Society from its foundation in December 1856 to the present day. It will mention some of the interesting people who have been members of the Society, such as Miss Cranston of tea room fame; William Blackie the publisher; Lord Kelvin, several Lord Provosts of Glasgow, a Confederate General and several Glasgow University Principals among others.

The Society activities including lectures, excursions, campaigns and publications will be described and in particular its role in the excavation of sites along the Antonine Wall including forts in the neighbourhood of Kelvin Valley, especially Bar Hill Fort at Twechar. The Society has played a leading role in excavating, researching and publishing material on the Romans in Scotland and the Antonine Wall especially. The various reports of the Society on the Antonine Wall and the creation of its Handbook to the monument will be covered.

Some attention will be paid to the legacy of John Dalrymple Grey Dalrymple of Kirkintilloch who served the Society for several decades and bequeathed a significant sum for a lecture series that runs to this day. 

Several archaeological techniques will be briefly identified in describing the work of the Society and others on the Antonine Wall.

Jim Mearns is an archaeologist, a former President, and currently serves as the Journal Editor and Archivist for the Glasgow Archaeological Society.