Contents
The CWA Photo Competition 2027, organized by Current World Archaeology magazine, celebrates the connection between photography and archaeology. The competition is free to enter, welcomes photographs taken anywhere in the world, and has a submission deadline of January 25, 2027.
The annual contest offers photographers the opportunity to see their work published in Current World Archaeology and presented at the CA Live! 2027 conference in London. The overall winner will also receive two complimentary conference tickets and a CWA trophy, while three runners-up will share the publication and presentation opportunities. Each photographer can submit up to five high-resolution images exploring archaeological subjects, from ancient monuments and artifacts to historical sites encountered during travels or research.
One particularly appealing aspect of the competition is that photographs can come from any period, including images taken years ago. A memorable discovery from a past trip or a photograph from an archaeological project may already be a suitable entry. With free participation and opportunities for specialist publication, the contest is a relevant addition to Deartline’s collection of online photography contests for photographers interested in history, heritage, and the visual stories of the past.
Deartline Review
View full review
Prizes
The CWA Photo Competition 2027 recognizes four photographs, with awards centered on publication in a specialist archaeology magazine and presentation at an annual conference in London.
- Overall Winner:
- Publication of the winning photograph in Current World Archaeology magazine.
- Presentation of the photograph at the CA Live! 2027 conference in London.
- Two complimentary tickets to the CA Live! 2027 conference.
- A Current World Archaeology trophy.
- Three Runners-up:
- Publication of their photographs in Current World Archaeology magazine.
- Presentation of their photographs at the CA Live! 2027 conference.
These awards bring selected photographs to readers and conference attendees with a particular interest in archaeology and cultural heritage. The publication component also connects the competition with other photography contests offering publication opportunities for selected photographers.
Other Free Contests
Categories or Themes
The CWA Photo Competition 2027 has a single, broad archaeological theme, encompassing photographs of historic sites, ancient monuments, artifacts, excavations, and other subjects connected with the human past.
This scope allows for different photographic approaches. An image might document the architectural details of an ancient structure, capture the atmosphere of an archaeological landscape, or reveal the craftsmanship of an object discovered centuries after its creation. Both cultural heritage and documentary photography can find a place within the competition, provided the subject has a clear archaeological connection.
Photographs may have been taken anywhere in the world, and there is no restriction on when they were created. Entrants can therefore select images from both recent projects and earlier photographic archives.
Dates and Entry Fees
The CWA Photo Competition’s key dates are as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline | January 25, 2027 |
| Winners notified | By February 8, 2027 |
| Winning images presented at CA Live! | 2027 |
Entry Fees:
- Participation: Free.
- Maximum submissions: Five photographs per entrant.
There is no charge to submit photographs, making the competition accessible to anyone aged 18 or older who meets its participation requirements. Photographers looking for similar opportunities can also explore Deartline’s selection of free photography competitions.
How to Enter
To participate, photographers must send their images by email to cwa@world-archaeology.com, using CWA PHOTO COMPETITION 2027 as the subject line.
Submissions should include:
- Up to five photographs in the highest available resolution.
- Details identifying the archaeological site, artifact, or subject shown in each image.
- Information about when each photograph was taken.
- The entrant’s contact information, including a postal address.
Photographers may submit images from different locations or subjects, provided each photograph meets the archaeological theme. Only prize winners will be contacted with the results.
Why Enter the CWA Photo Competition 2027?
Photography has an important role in how people encounter and understand the past. A photograph of an ancient site can reveal details that visitors might overlook, while an image of an artifact can bring attention to the craftsmanship, beliefs, or daily lives of people who lived centuries ago. The CWA Photo Competition gives this kind of work an opportunity to reach an audience that is already interested in the stories behind archaeological discoveries.
Its connection with Current World Archaeology is especially relevant. The magazine covers archaeological research, historic places, and discoveries from around the world, providing a fitting editorial context for selected photographs. Presentation at CA Live! in London adds another setting in which the winning images can be appreciated alongside discussions of archaeology and heritage.
There is also something appealing about the opportunity to revisit an existing photographic archive. A picture taken during a vacation, a field project, or a visit to a historical monument may gain a different significance when considered for its archaeological subject. Photographers do not need to produce an entirely new series to participate; they can select up to five images that communicate something meaningful about the material traces of the past.
For photographers discovering opportunities through Deartline’s photo contest calendar, the CWA Photo Competition combines free participation, an international scope, and publication opportunities within a clearly defined area of interest. It offers a way to share photographs of historical places and objects with readers and conference attendees who have a particular reason to engage with their subjects.
Rules and Copyright
We reviewed the official rules of the CWA Photo Competition 2027 to summarize the key participation requirements, copyright terms and image usage conditions. Before entering, we recommend checking the complete rules published by the organizer.
Entrants must be at least 18 years old and submit photographs under their own individual names. Amateur and professional photographers are eligible, and their entries are assessed together. Each participant must be the creator and copyright holder of every submitted image.
Photographers are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions, including those involving identifiable people, archaeological material where applicable, and drone photography at protected sites. Entrants also accept responsibility for third-party claims concerning their submitted work.
Copyright remains with the photographer. However, entering grants Current Publishing permission to use submitted photographs for possible exhibition, publication, or promotional purposes. This permission is not expressly limited to winning entries, and the terms do not specify a duration. The competition also confirms that the judges’ decision is final.
—
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
