World Archaeological Congress
The World Archaeological Congress is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization which promotes world archaeology. It is the only global archaeological organisation with elected representation.
Established in 1986, WAC holds an international Congress every four years to promote the exchange of results from archaeological research; professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nations peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.
History
The World Archaeological Congress was established in 1986, after the controversial 11th meeting of the International Union for Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences was banned from meeting in Southampton, Great Britain during which the Southampton City Council and other organizations funding the meeting demanded that scholars from South Africa and Namibia were banned from participation in view of Apartheid in South Africa. The British organizers complied with this demand, but the Executive Committee of UISPP ultimately ruled that it was against the organization's constitution to exclude any international scholars, and withdrew the conference. The National Secretary of the Congress, Peter Ucko, moved forward with the meeting under a new name, the World Archaeological Congress. The resulting meeting drew in 1000 people from 100 countries, with the special attempt to include people from new nations and minority groups to participate in the congress. Since that time, WAC has "constituted itself as a uniquely representative non-profit organization of worldwide archaeology that recognizes the historical and social role, and the political context, of archaeology, and the need to make archaeological studies relevant to the wider community. It especially seeks to debate and refute institutionalized views that serve the interests of a privileged few to the detriment of disenfranchised others. WAC explicitly values diversity against institutionalized mechanisms that marginalize the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, minorities and the poor".Congresses
World Archaeological Congresses are held every four years, with several Inter-Congresses between the main congresses. The congresses vary in their seasonality, but present the opportunity to present research, participate in panels, and socialize with other members. Congresses have been held on six continents and attract large, multinational attendance. The locations of the congresses are chosen to encourage inclusivity within the means of people from around the world. Locating congresses outside of 'First World' venues has led to political and social complications for WAC. For example, WAC-3 in India was besieged by media coverage after the then president of the international executive committee J. Golson banned discussion of the destruction of the Ayodhya mosque during the conference.Patrons for past Congresses have included Prince Charles, Nelson Mandela, Harriet Fulbright, and Abdullah II of Jordan
| Meeting | Location | Date |
| 1st | Southampton, Great Britain | September 1–6, 1986 |
| 2nd | Barquisimeto, Venezuela | September 4–8, 1990 |
| 3rd | New Delhi, India | December 4–11, 1994 |
| 4th | Cape Town, South Africa | January 10–14, 1999 |
| 5th | Washington, D.C, United States of America | June 21–26, 2003 |
| 6th | Dublin, Ireland | June 29–July 4, 2008 |
| 7th | Dead Sea, Jordan | January 14–18, 2013 |
| 8th | Kyoto, Honshu, Japan | August 28–September 2, 2016 |