I offer the following study days and short courses for those who wish to explore subjects in more detail. Each study day comprises four one-hour sessions, while the short-course format allows for a subject to be explored over a number of individual sessions and has the potential to include site visits. I am always happy to discuss ideas for new study days and short courses and can tailor sessions to your local area. Should you wish to book a study day or short course please contact me using this form.
‘Reading the Landscape’: An Introduction to Landscape Archaeology
This course presents an overview of the development of the British landscape from the prehistoric to the post-medieval periods. It also uses practical examples to provide an introduction to the techniques used to ‘read’ and interpret the historic landscape.
Prehistoric East Anglia
This course examines the archaeological evidence for prehistoric East Anglia, beginning with the million-year-old footprints discovered at Happisburgh and ending with the rise of the Iron Age Iceni tribe during the first millennium BC. Themes include flint tools, burial practices, farming and settlements, and feature key sites such as Grimes Graves, Must Farm and Tasburgh hillfort.
Iron Age and Roman East Anglia
This course looks at the archaeological evidence for the impact of the Roman invasion on the Iron Age tribes in East Anglia, which culminated in the Boudican Revolt and resulted in five centuries of Roman rule in the region. Subjects covered include Roman forts, roads, settlements and religion, and key sites such Burgh Castle, Fison Way and Caistor St Edmund.
Anglo-Saxon East Anglia
This course examines the rich archaeological and historical evidence for Anglo-Saxon East Anglia, from the Anglo-Saxons’ arrival in the 5th century AD to the Norman Conquest. Themes include settlements, cemeteries, churches and monasteries, and feature detailed examinations of key sites such as West Stow, Spong Hill and Sutton Hoo.
Medieval East Anglia
This course explores the landscape of medieval East Anglia, beginning with the impact of the Norman Conquest on the Anglo-Saxon landscape of East Anglia and ending with the effects of the Dissolution of the monasteries. Subjects covered castles, monasteries, parish churches and settlements, as well as the rise of towns and trading ports.
Monasteries in the Landscape
This course explores the nature of monastic landscapes of Britain throughout the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods. In particular, it looks at the emergence and characteristics of the different monastic orders, the development of the monastic cloister and precinct, the management of monastic estates and the effect of the Dissolution.
The Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Church in East Anglia
This course looks at the documentary, architectural and archaeological evidence which can be used to gain an insight into the Anglo-Saxon and medieval church in East Anglia. Beginning with the conversion to Christianity in the 7th century, it follows the development of the region’s cathedrals and parish churches, the effects of the Norman conquest and the changing styles of medieval architecture to be found in the region’s numerous parish churches.
The Archaeology of Death and Burial
This course provides an overview of the many and varied ways in which societies have dealt with their dead during the last 4,000 years, from prehistoric burial mounds and Roman cemeteries, to the cremations and rich grave-goods of the Anglo-Saxons and the emergence of Christian churchyards. More unusual cases will also feature, such as plague pits and even vampire burials!
A Portrait of the Artist: J.M.W. Turner in East Anglia
This course examines a series of watercolours J.M.W. Turner made of sites along the East Anglian coast in the 1820s, including views of Orford, Aldeburgh, Dunwich, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Happisburgh. As well as being beautiful paintings in their own right, these images tell us a great deal about the changing landscape and buildings to be found along this outstanding stretch of coast.
Practical Fieldschools
I offer hands-on training in the following archaeological methods to groups of various sizes.
- Fieldwalking:
- Testpitting:
- Earthwork survey:
- Historic Building Recording and Analysis:
Should you wish to book a study day or short course please contact me using this form.