Research project

My PhD research (an AHRC/English Heritage collaborative doctoral award) seeks to evaluate Mesolithic data derived from developer funded projects in England under PPG16, addressing the following aims:

• To assess the relationship between developer funded and academic Mesolithic archaeology and analyse the extent of knowledge transfer between the two
• To examine the extent to which the discoveries made by developer funded fieldwork can change interpretations of the Mesolithic in academia
• To assess how this analysis may inform developer funded fieldwork practice and strategy

The interventions examined in this project number well over 1000 across all English authorities, though are far from evenly distributed, the data being managed and analysed in a GIS alongside other substantial data sets.  They range from recovering minor lithic finds to full scale excavation of substantial Mesolithic deposits, deploying a broad range of investigative and analytical methodologies.  Constraints on commercial archaeology have led to the reiteration of these projects in the planning process but rarely attracting the attention of academia, for numerous reasons.  My research aims to redress this disparity and help guide future Mesolithic research in all sectors.

Profile

Education

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PhD research due for completion in 2011

2006 MSc in Archaeological Research, University of York

2002 BA (Hons) Archaeology, University of Durham

Commercial Archaeology

Landscape Research Centre (2007)

Network Archaeology (2006-7)

Archaeological Services Durham University (2003-2006)

Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust (2003)

Irish Archaeological Consultancy (2002)

Other Fieldwork

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Mycenae, Greece. Since 2007 I have supervised geophysical survey work for the ongoing project in the vicinity of the citadel (publication in prep).  From 2010 this will expand to include work at Glas, a Bronze Age citadel in Boeotia.

Star Carr, North Yorkshire.  Supervisor and assistance with associated fieldwork in the wider Vale of Pickering.

Additionally, I am currently contributing to a project in Kent using a suite of techniques, including geophysical survey and ultimately excavation, to investigate Neanderthal archaeology in the area.  As a Project Archaeologist at ASDU I was fortunate to supervise two seasons of fieldwork for the Coquetdale Community Archaeology Project, though lost my trowel in a Neolithic long cairn.  As well as contributing to Durham University's other fieldwork training projects I helped supervise on the Kidlandlee Dean Landscape Project.  Fieldwork undertaken abroad include seasons in Croatia, France, Greece, the Republic of Macedonia and Oman.