About the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology

The Department of Anthropology and Archaeology is based in 43 Woodland Road at the heart of the Clifton Campus, in the former Baptist Theological College. As well as providing a pleasant and friendly atmosphere for classes, this is an architecturally significant building included by English Heritage on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Grade II).

The Baptist College was founded in Bristol in 1679 but it wasn't until 1914 that the present Departmental building was commissioned. The site of the building lies adjacent to the Civil War Fort, which now forms part of the University campus. The building remained in use by the Baptist College until 1999, when the Department moved into it.

The style of the building is neo-Jacobean and draws upon vernacular Cotswold architecture in its use of brick and limestone. It represents a very well preserved example of an Arts and Crafts Movement building with a three-story red brick exterior and stonework of superb quality including gargoyles, strapwork, square-headed mullion and transom windows (with carved heads on many of the mullions) and Bath Stone dressings. Inside, the exceptional quality of the building continues, with very fine quarter-cut oak doors, skirting boards, panels and other fixtures throughout in keeping with the building's Arts and Crafts style. The building also has high quality plain plasterwork, stone and brick fireplaces

The building includes amazing stained glass, intergrated from the previous building. This includes late 15th century Flanders yellow stain glass, 17th century enamelled glass probably from North Germany, late 18th century English glass made by the Pearson factory. Alongside this historic glass, a large Arts and Crafts stained glass staircase window was specially commissioned in 1916 showing scenes from the life of William Tyndall, who produced the first English translation of the New Testament in 1525.

Converted in 1999, the building remains the location of all Departmental teaching, with lecture theatres, dedicated work spaces and teaching and seminar rooms. The building's first and second floors house the offices of all the Department's administrative and academic staff. 43 Woodland Road provides a uniquely comfortable and historic atmosphere for this vibrant and contemporary centre for teaching and research in archaeology and anthropology.