1986 in archaeology

The year 1986 in archaeology involved some significant events.

Excavations

 * Foundations of the Colossus of Nero in Rome.
 * British Supermarine Spitfire Mark 1a fighter aircraft N3200 recovered from the beach at Sangatte in France.

Finds

 * July 18 - First sacrificial pit at Sanxingdui in China found, leading to extensive investigation of the site.
 * La Mojarra Stela 1.
 * Wreck of HMS A1, the first British submarine casualty (1904), discovered in Bracklesham Bay by local fisherman.
 * The second half of the Rogozen Treasure is found by archaeologists from the museum in Vratsa, Bulgaria.
 * A fragment of Livy's Ab Urbe Condita Libri is found in Egypt.

Publications

 * John McK. Camp - The Athenian Agora: excavations in the heart of classical Athens. London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0-500-39021-5
 * Abraham de la Pryme (1672–1704) - A History of Kingston upon Hull. Kingston upon Hull City Council and Malet Lambert High School. ISBN 0-904767-12-4
 * Pramod B. Gadre - Cultural Archaeology of Ahmadnagar during Nizam Shahi period, 1494–1632. Delhi: B.R. Publishing Corporation.
 * Arlene Miller Rosen - Cities of Clay: the geoarcheology of tells. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-72626-6
 * Henrieta Todorova (Хенриета Тодорова) - Каменно -медната епоха в България ("The Eneolithic period in Bulgaria"). Sofia.

Events

 * July 8 - Protection of Military Remains Act passed in the United Kingdom.
 * November - First UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Great Britain designated: Durham Castle and Cathedral; Ironbridge Gorge; Studley Royal Park (including the ruins of Fountains Abbey); Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites; and Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (Wales).

Deaths

 * January 10 - Emil Forrer, Swiss Assyriologist and Hittitologist (b. 1894)
 * December 13 - Glyn Daniel, Welsh-born archaeologist (b. 1914)