Society of Antiquaries of London

The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society, based in the United Kingdom, concerned with "the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries". An antiquary was a person interested in the study of the past, particularly the physical traces of the past. The term was current from the late 16th century to the 19th century. Antiquarianism then evolved into more specialised fields of interest such as archaeology, architectural history, art history, conservation, heraldry, anthropology, and ecclesiastical studies, and there is no such thing as a professional antiquary today. The continuing use of the word in the Society's name is an anachronism.

See also

• Society of Antiquaries of Scotland