In September 2025 we invited members of the archaeological community to join the ORA team at a showcase event at the University of Bristol. The day comprised talks from Melanie Roffet-Salque, Lucy Cramp, Tim Knowles and Richard Evershed, as well as laboratory tours and a lunchtime poster session. Members of the ORA Advisory Board then met to discuss the strategic development of the enterprise. Our Advisory Board is made up of members from across the archaeological community, representing a broad range of sectors including independent archaeology, museums, commercial archaeology, and Historic England. The meeting provided us with valuable perspectives and discussions, and gave us the opportunity to explore current challenges and help shape future priorities.

Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive, and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their engagement.

Housed in the School of Chemistry and the School of Arts at the University of Bristol, the Organic Residue Analysis (ORA) service works with academic and commercial users to address archaeological queries using state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise. Results can help to determine, among other things, ancient vessel use(s), and ancient diet and subsistence practices.

To find out if the ORA team can help with your project, contact us at bris-organicresidueanalysis@bristol.ac.uk.