Selkirk attended his very first dig aged 13 years old. His early interest would continue long into adulthood; following secondary education, he read Classics at Oxford, where he would become President of the Oxford University Archaeological Society.
Publishing
He initially pursued a career as a chartered accountant. While editing the student magazineContra, Selkirk found he had a penchant for magazine publishing. Coupling this with his passion for archaeology, he founded Current Archaeology in 1967. The publication now has a readership over 14,000. In 1998, he co-founded Current Publishing, as the home of his flagship magazine, and the platform for Current World Archaeology and Military Times. Andrew Selkirk is now the Editor-in-chief of all three publications, whilst his son Robert is the company’s publisher and managing director. His research and expertise has been cited in many other books, including The Amateur Archaeologist by Stephen Wass ; Archaeology in British Towns by Patrick Ottoway ; and The Ethics of Archaeology by Chriss Scarre and Geoffrey Scarre. Selkirk's knowledge of British archaeology has been consulted by History Today, in which he has discussed topics including 'the changing face of Pre-Conquest Britain'.
Archaeological career
According to the Northamptonshire Archaeological Society, Selkirk 'has gone on to become very well known throughout British archaeology'. He has worked with a number of archaeological societies and organisations. In addition to his appointments as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and Vice-President of the Royal Archaeological Institute, he is Chairman of the Council for Independent Archaeology, and co-founder of the British Archaeological Awards. As noted by the Archaeology and Contemporary Society of Liverpool University, 'The Council for Independent Archaeology was created in 1989 to ensure that the interests of independent/amateur archaeologists do not get lost in the face of the increasing professionalisation and specialisation of archaeologists and archaeological practice'. He has served on the councils of the Roman Society and the Prehistoric Society, and has lectured on 'Demystifying Field Archaeology', and 'The Public Face of Archaeology', amongst other subjects. He continues to promote amateur archaeology and archaeology independent of government. According to the Adam Smith Institute, Selkirk 'advocates the use of Independence Impact Statements as part of a drive to end the stuffy pseudo-professional capture of Britain's Arts and Heritage'. In May 2000, Selkirk appeared as a studio guest on the BBC programme, Talking PointOn Air, presented by Robin Lustig, debating the subject 'Whose art is it anyway?'. He has been quoted in The Guardian, condemning cuts to funding on the British Museum.
Personal interests
A keen traveler, Selkirk enjoys touring the archaeological sites of Britain in his camper van, and visiting excavations across the globe. He is currently writing a book comparing Greece and Rome with earlier societies.
