International scholars came together to examine the impact of institutions on how archival material is curated, interpreted, and accessed, while also highlighting the overlooked importance of archival study within archaeological practice. The event examined themes of personal versus institutional (or site-specific) archives, as well as local and imperial narratives, and the ways in which these contribute differently to the construction and transmission of archaeological knowledge.

Further themes emerged as well, especially the ethical responsibilities of archival care, the role of bureaucracy in shaping historical narratives, and the power of archival research to recover marginalized voices and forgotten contributions. By analysing individual figures, site-specific histories, and collaborative efforts, participants demonstrated how archives and historiography more broadly can be used to reveal lost or obscured dimensions of the past. The conference underscored the transformative potential of archive archaeology and the vital role that scholarly institutions play in sustaining and reimagining historical knowledge.

See the Book of Abstracts from the Unleashing Knowledge and Structuring Notes: Archaeological “archives” and their historiographies conference.