One of the areas in which Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums has particular and wide-ranging expertise is local history and archaeology.

The Archaeological Unit undertakes an extensive portfolio of work, which includes care of the City's important archaeological collections; care of coins, medals and banknote collections; advising the Council on archaeological issues relating to planning, building control, forestry and agricultural matters; historical research; archaeological illustration; archaeological excavation and survey; facilitating and researching Aberdeen's commemorative plaques series; maintaining and enhancing the Sites and Monuments Record as well as devising exhibitions, talks, walks  and other aspects of heritage and oral history.