Durham University has been awarded a £500,000 grant to strengthen research into archaeological and heritage objects, with new specialist imaging equipment set to expand the work carried out at its North East Material Culture Analytical Suite.
The funding from the Wolfson Foundation will help researchers examine historic objects in greater detail while reducing the need for invasive investigation. The university said the investment will strengthen its ability to “protect, study and better understand our shared heritage”.
What the funding will support
The grant will fund specialist imaging equipment for NEMCAS, allowing experts to investigate the internal structure of objects without damaging them. That will create new opportunities to study important artefacts while supporting their preservation for future generations.
The equipment will also be used to identify archaeological and heritage remains at risk from the effects of climate change. Researchers will study ancient diets and plant materials to understand how people adapted to changing environments in the past.
According to the university, that work could provide insights relevant to the development of crops better suited to future dry climates. The research therefore links the study of historic material with questions about environmental change and future resilience.
A £2m Durham research facility
NEMCAS is a £2 million facility based within Durham University’s Department of Archaeology. It provides advanced research capabilities for universities, museums, galleries, libraries and industry partners across the UK.
The new award will sit alongside existing support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Office for Students. Durham University said the combination of charitable and public funding demonstrates the value of collaboration in delivering what it described as world-leading research.
The facility already brings together expertise from different disciplines and supports researchers working with museums, cultural organisations and industry. The Wolfson Foundation investment is expected to expand those capabilities and encourage further partnerships beyond archaeology.
Expected benefits for the North East
The university said the enhanced facility will create opportunities for innovation, generate new knowledge and support skills development. It also expects the work to deliver lasting cultural, educational and economic benefits for the North East of England and beyond.
NEMCAS is led by Professor Lisa-Marie Shillito in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology. The university has directed readers seeking more information towards its NEMCAS resources and the Wolfson Foundation’s website.
The grant announcement was published by Durham University on 28 August 2026 under its funding and fellowships and archaeology news categories.