Dr Fiona Virginia Richards on Archaeological Romance, Perdigões, and the Archaeological Association of the Algarve (AAA)
In my first correspondence with Dr Fiona Richards to request an interview, she replied, “If you’re sure. I’m not that interesting, but if it helps the AAA I’ll give it a go!” On the contrary, Dr Richards is so interesting I could have talked to her all day!
To begin with, she is a real-life archaeologist, having spent years supervising excavation trenches in the Middle East. The sort of job romanticised in the Indiana Jones movies – sun-drenched ruins, ancient scripts and hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. As if this wasn’t enough, she went on to establish an award-winning magazine, guide historical tours and help raise millions for Help for Heroes. Fiona’s journey through history could be a great movie script. As I say – definitely not dull!
A Foundation in Discovery
Fiona is Australian by birth, although she speaks with a perfect English accent due to having lived in the UK for nearly 20 years. Her academic journey began at the University of Sydney, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Archaeology and Law.
Among all her field experiences, it was her time in Jordan that left an indelible mark – a period she warmly describes as “wonderfully romantic”. Between 1984 and 1995, Fiona spent five excavation seasons at Pella (Tabaquat Fahl) in Jordan with the University of Sydney team. Working under the desert sun as a site supervisor, draftsperson and small finds cataloguer, she meticulously recorded ancient artefacts and managed excavation logistics.
In 1990, Fiona won a scholarship from the University of Sydney to study at University College London. She then decided to pursue a PhD at the University of Edinburgh on a type of Egyptian scarab seal she had found whilst excavating at Pella. Unable to secure full funding, she wrote her first book, which won her a university scholarship to cover the rest of her PhD costs.
Fiona’s life story then took a romantic twist. She reconnected with her brother-in-law’s brother, Stuart (the brother of her sister’s husband). They had first met in the UK one Christmas and begun writing to each other. When they finally met again six years later, she was swept off her feet by the tall, handsome army officer who was 10 years her senior. They have now been married for 34 years.
But Fiona did not let her personal life get in the way of her professional ambitions. Her expertise in Near Eastern antiquity continued in the field, where she participated in excavations across Egypt, Turkey and Cyprus, as well as cataloguing ancient scarabs for the British Museum.
Her experience in the Middle East gave her expertise in this field, so between 1998 and 2001, she worked for Andante Travels (a specialist travel company focusing on archaeology and art history tours). She led and managed historical tours across the Middle East and Europe, including Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Iran, North Cyprus and Lebanon. Sadly, the 9/11 attacks killed the public appetite to travel to this part of the world.
However, Fiona still needed to quench her own thirst for travel: “Travel is my passion”. She founded FPE Media Ltd, which published Timeless Travels from July 2014 to March 2021. The publication was created as “a magazine for lovers of travel, archaeology and art– all the things I love most”. Her writing and publishing work earned major industry recognition, including Journalist of the Year at the Holland Press Awards in both 2018 and 2020, and Outstanding Article of the Year in 2020.
Unfortunately, the magazine was a victim of COVID, but she was then invited to serve as the editor of a monthly history magazine for World History Encyclopedia, the second-leading history resource in the world.
Help for Heroes
Having a connection with the British military through her husband Stuart, Fiona worked with Help for Heroes in Wiltshire from January 2011 to June 2014 in key leadership roles. She oversaw high-profile corporate clients, advising them on fundraising strategies and developing commercial partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and events, ultimately raising over £3.2 million for the charity. As corporate campaign manager, she project-managed three national supermarket fundraising campaigns which raised over £1.5 million.
Fiona says, “I co-ordinated around 800 stores throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, resulting in the most successful two-day fundraising campaigns seen at that time at Tesco and ASDA. It’s something I am immensely proud of. Help for Heroes is a charity dedicated to helping wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women, and my husband served in Northern Ireland. He was a hero himself, having been recognised for bravery, but he also saw the devastating effect war can have on service people.”
A Fascinating Local Tapestry
Fiona moved to Portugal in 2019, having spent two winters here prior to that, and became a member of the AAA. She finds herself equally enthralled by the past of her adopted country, pointing out that Portugal possesses a deeply fascinating history, spanning a rich continuum that stretches from dinosaur footprints to medieval churches, with the Romans, Moors and Knights of the Cross (aka the Knights Templar) in between.
When former AAA president Jenny Compton stood down after 10 years, Fiona offered her services as president of the association, as they were having difficulty finding someone else with archaeological experience to replace her, and she was delighted to help.
For Fiona, one of the most exciting archaeological finds in Portugal is the prehistoric complex of Perdigões in the Alentejo, which was visited by the AAA and featured in Tomorrow Magazine’s September issue. During the trip, AAA members visited the site and the local museum at the Torre do Esporão fort, where participants were granted a rare, hands-on opportunity to handle ancient artefacts.
Fiona was particularly thrilled by a carved human figure holding a unique place in the collection: the carving featured details resembling tattoos and long hair, offering a rare, intimate insight into the appearance, aesthetics and culture of people who lived thousands of years ago.
Get involved with the AAA
Fiona’s passion for uncovering local history goes hand in hand with her active support for the Archaeological Association of the Algarve (AAA). As she notes, “I am very proud to be associated with the AAA.” She enthusiastically encourages locals, expats and history lovers to get involved:
Affordable access to history: full membership costs just €30 a year
Meet like-minded people:joining provides a welcoming community of fellow enthusiasts who share a passion for discovery and heritage
Rich event schedule: members gain access to monthly expert lectures, guided field trips across Portugal, and travel excursions
Supporting research: membership fees directly help fund student grants and local archaeological research projects
Whether you are a seasoned historian or simply curious about the ancient stones beneath your feet, joining the Archaeological Association of the Algarve is your passport to discovery.
Grants: arquealgarve.weebly.com/grant-applications.html
www.facebook.com/groups/837838249569652
The AAA is proud of having allocated more than 120,000 euros during the period 2000–2025. This money supported many archaeological projects, including fieldwork and assistance to archaeology students. Many of these students have gone on to pursue professional careers in archaeology.
Archaeological fieldwork supported by the AAA includes:
- the Alcalar monuments and habitation site
- Lagos and Sagres Bays: underwater surveys of wrecks
- Loulé Velho
- Martinhal: Roman kilns
- Boca do Rio: DNA tests and geophysical measurements
- Aljezur: restoration of an Islamic ceramic pot
- Tejo River: rock art study and recording
- Rustic Roman villa at Cortes (Silves)
- Lagos: Cemetery
- Monchique: excavations at Castelo de Alferce, Cerro do Ouro and Esgravatadouro
Don’t miss
Fiona has worked with Portuguese archaeologist André Tome to organise a fantastic tour to Turkey on 10–21 October 2027, which focuses on ‘the rise and collapse of complex societies from Neolithic Anatolia to the Hittite Empire and Upper Mesopotamia’.
The trip will be exclusively for AAA members, with a maximum of 25 pax, and includes visits to Göbekli Tepe, Catal Huyuk, Mount Nemrut and Zeugma.
Upcoming AAA Lecture
Unlocking the Neanderthal menu: reconstructing prehistoric meals in western Iberia
As Fiona highlights, joining the Archaeological Association of the Algarve (AAA) offers an extraordinary front-row seat to world-class historical research.
On Tuesday, 3 November, the AAA will present two lectures in English by renowned Portuguese zooarchaeologist Dr Mariana Nabais, entitled “Neanderthal Diet: Reconstructing Meals, Hunting Practices and Landscapes in Western Iberia”.
Dr Nabais uses zooarchaeology – the study of microscopic cut marks, burning and fracture patterns preserved on ancient animal bones and shells – to uncover how Neanderthals actually hunted, processed and consumed their food. Her research moves past outdated stereotypes to reveal Neanderthal communities as flexible, knowledgeable, and brilliantly adapted to the changing prehistoric ecosystems of Western Iberia.
A researcher at UNIARQ (Centre for Archaeology, University of Lisbon), Dr Nabais leads the FCT-funded PALAEO.WEST.IBERIA and PALAEO.ZOOARCH projects and directs the South-West Archaeology Digs (SWADS) field school.
Lecture details and locations
Date: Tuesday, 3 November
Matinee presentation: 2.30 pm at the Museu do Traje, São Brás de Alportel
Evening presentation: 6 pm at the Convento de São José, Lagoa
Admission: free for AAA members; €5 for non-members (all proceeds directly support archaeological research grants and guest speakers)
Main photo: Dr Fiona Virginia Richards, Egypt Tell el Daba
