The Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland was founded in 1844 at 16
New Burlington Street, London, from where it published
The Archaeological Journal and held public events. The Institute arose from a dispute in the archaeological world over the formation of the
British Archaeological Association a year earlier. The Institute changed its name to the Royal Archaeological Institute in 1866. Its events could be popular: an Exhibition of Helmets and Mail held in 1880 attracted 1,200 visitors over 12 days. The Institute moved to Oxford Mansions, just North East of
Oxford Circus, in the early 1880s, and then to 20
Hanover Square in 1894. The library of the Royal Archaeological Institute was donated to the
Society of Antiquaries and now forms part of the collection at
Burlington House. ==Activities==