apologies for x-posting, but...
----- Original Message ----- 

> Dear colleagues,
>
> It is with great sadness that I inform you that Professor Peter Ucko has 
> passed
> away.
>
> As I am sure you know, Peter was the driving force behind the founding of 
> the
> World Archaeological Congress, and an inspiration to WAC Executives, both 
> past
> and current, and to members, and non-members throughout the world.
>
> Peter Ucko was awarded a BA Anthropology, from University College London 
> in
> 1959, and a PhD Prehistoric Archaeology and Egyptology, from University 
> College
> London in 1962. He is a past Director of the Australian Institute of 
> Aboriginal
> and Torres Strait Islander Studies.  More recently, he was Executive 
> Director
> of the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, and when he
> retired he became Emeritus Professor.
>
> Peter's research interests included the analysis of art and images, the 
> history
> of archaeology, and the interpretation of archaeological collections and 
> of
> displays of sites. In retirement, he remained an active researcher, and 
> was
> working on various publications until very recently.  His recent 
> publications
> include the eight volume set Encounters With Ancient Egypt. In 2006 A 
> Future
> for Archaeology, edited by Robert Layton, Stephen Shennan, and Peter 
> Stone, was
> published in Peter's honor, to mark the unparalleled role he has played in
> promoting a socially engaged archaeology.
>
> At the time of Peter's passing the WAC Executive and the organisers of 
> WAC-6
> were discussing the instigation of a lecture to be named after him as the
> inspiration behind WAC, to be given at an appropriate point at every major 
> WAC
> Congress from now on.  We were also discussing the instigation of a 'Peter 
> Ucko
> Medal' to be awarded at each major Congress to an individual who has made 
> a
> major contribution to world archaeology.
>
> Peter Ucko cannot be replaced, but he will be remembered.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Claire Smith,
>
> President, World Archaeological Congress