The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 results again reflect our longstanding strengths "particularly in areas of fundamental scientific research" (Archaeology Panel report). Previous RAE's provided a single quality assessment (we achieved Grade 5 in 1996 and again in 2001). RAE 2008, using a more differentiated quality profile, rates all research from 1* (of regional importance) to 4* (world-leading). We submitted a high proportion of staff (ca. 90%) to RAE 2008. The results showed that:-