Lisbeth Thoms was born
in Kirkcaldy, Fife and educated at various schools in Scotland
and England. At the University of Edinburgh she read for a
degree in Geography and Economic History followed by a
post-graduate Diploma in Archaeology at the University of
Durham.
She
joined the staff of Dundee City Council’s Museums in 1972 as
Assistant Keeper with responsibility for field archaeology and
was mainly involved with urban rescue excavations in
Dundee and Perth and the publication of
excavation and research reports, also
archaeological guidebooks and leaflets. She was Depute
Curator/Heritage Services Manager from 1982 until1996 with
responsibility for the curation and exhibition of the city’s
collections of art, archaeology, local and natural
history.
In 1997
Lisbeth left local government employment to pursue a career as
a freelance archaeologist and heritage adviser. She developed
a particular interest in heritage management and the issues
concerning the preservation of sites and monuments as well as
their presentation and interpretation for public enjoyment and
appreciation. Until 2007 she lectured on this subject
regularly as a part-time tutor for the Continuing Education
Departments of Aberdeen and Dundee
Universities.
Throughout her career she campaigned for the
better protection and conservation of Scotland’s cultural
collections and its historic environment. Over the years she
served on councils and committees far too numerous to mention,
except for a few. She was a founder member of the
Tayside and Fife Archaeological Committee when it was
established in 1976, and President of the Abertay Historical
Society 1979-81, serving on its Council until 2002 when she
was given honorary membership of Council. She was
President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 2002-05
and served as a member of the former Ancient Monuments Board
for Scotland for nearly nine years, and on the Advisory Panel
on Treasure Trove for two, six- year,
terms. In November 2018 she was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (News item).
In the 2008
New Year Honours List she was awarded the MBE for Services to
Conservation in Scotland.
Although now
virtually retired she remains as Editor of the Tayside and
Fife Committee’s annual journal and it’s monograph series. She
is a Trustee of two heritage oriented bodies, the
Strathmartine Trust and the Historic Scotland Foundation and
also serves on various committees of the Scottish Episcopal
Church both at diocesan and provincial level.
Her other interests
include travel, opera, golf and family history including the
Clan MacThomas Society.
Please use the links below to view the websites of the some of
organisations mentioned above:
Tayside and Fife Archaeological
Committee
Strathmartine
Trust
Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland
Several articles by or about
Lisbeth have appeared in the Society Magazine over the years.
Please click below to read a selection of these:
Lisbeth Thoms - Ambassador for
Archaeology
Before the MacThomases - Some
Aspects of Early Prehistoric
Tayside
Honour to
Society Member & Cultural/Built
Heritage
