It has long been part of my philosophy that archaeology needs to communicate what it does and what it finds out to the widest possible audiences. It must do this to stay relevant in popular society so that people continue to care about the past, and so that there can still be an archaeological profession […]
In defence of history by women
The visibility of the resurgence of women’s voices has launched into the stratosphere these last two weeks, from the triumph of the campaign to get a woman back on a UK banknote, to the rather seedy and distasteful rape and bombing threats aimed at women by anonymous so-called trolls. But what is worse than all […]
The Gulval Evangelists
I have just posted over on my blog some news about a discovery that I helped to make outside Gulval Church near Penzance in Cornwall. Using 3D recording techniques, and through careful analysis and filtering of the data, we now know what is depicted on all four sides of a large granite cross-base by the […]
DigVentures launch their new archaeology crowdfunding project
Today sees the launch of the new DigVentures project, Saints & Secrets: the Lost History of Leiston Abbey. The now-ruined 14th century Leiston Abbey has never been fully excavated, and represents an extremely rare opportunity to join in with an evaluation to investigate and record a medieval monastery. You can read all about the planned programme […]
Cornish heritage beneath our feet
Have you ever looked down when you’re walking about outside (do you walk about much)? We’re often encouraged to look up when we’re in the middle of towns and cities to admire the architecture of urbanisation above the modern, slightly jarring, signage of our high street shops. But do you look down? Local foundries made […]
Cornish heritage is a man’s game
Cornwall Councillor Bert Biscoe today published a really thought-provoking article on the recommencement of mining in Cornwall: To manicure or mine, Cornwall’s modern dilemma. Amongst other points he raises the issues of the tensions between preservation, environmental sustainability and economic gain; he also makes the point many of us have been thinking about not really […]
Artistic licence: misrepresenting (Cornish) history
Last week the temperature under my collar was raised twice over. Both times it concerned a poor representation of the past. One probably down to lazy journalism (but with no real excuses) and the other possibly down to poor editing choices and an over-reliance on a ‘pat narrative’. Here I discuss the first of these, […]
On Commercial Archaeology and Public Benefit
Before turning freelance, I spent a decade working in the commercial archaeology sector, and have seen a fair number of archaeological projects over the years. Some great archaeology done by fantastic archaeologists, and post-excavation analysis done to the highest standards. But, what is the point of it, if all that work brings very little benefit […]
Day of Archaeology 2012
This year I once again helped to organise the Day of Archaeology, an online event that features blog posts from archaeologists around the world to highlight our work in our own words. One of the aims of the Day of Archaeology is to show how exciting and relevant archaeology is to us all, by showing […]
Paddington history for kids
Last November I blogged about my experience demonstrating the wonders of history school children at Hallfield Primary School, my first alma mater. I continued the theme with the local Cub Scouts Group based at another Paddington primary school, St Mary Magdalene (5th Paddington). My tack was slightly different here. The incentive to listen and learn […]