News

Conference focus on famous local figure who made his mark on archaeology

(13 April 2005)

A major conference at Durham University (16th-17th April) on the history of archaeology, antiquarianism and collecting will centre on the life and works of the famous local figure of Canon William Greenwell.

Canon William Greenwell (1820-1918) and his contemporaries had a major influence on the development and advancement of British archaeology in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the country’s leading archaeologists will be attending the Greenwell Conference which takes place at the Department of Archaeology (Dawson Building), Science Site, University of Durham, on Saturday and Sunday 16th-17th April (9.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m.)

The inter-disciplinary conference is being hosted by the Greenwell Project (Leverhulme Trust, Department of Archaeology, University of Durham), the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, and the AHRB Centre for North-East England History. It is sponsored by the Awards for All Lottery grants programme. Professor Tim Murray, from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, will be giving a keynote address at the opening of the conference. There will be other contributions by archaeologists and historians of archaeology from across the UK and other associated bodies.

The conference will explore the impact of the work of Canon Greenwell who was a prominent antiquarian, archaeologist and historian, and a keen collector. The research of his colleagues into the ancient British past will also be discussed. Greenwell and his peers worked on subjects ranging from the tools of the Stone Age, the barrows of the Bronze Age, Ancient Greek coins, Anglo-Saxon sculpture, and medieval architecture.

Papers have been offered by Rosemary Sweet, author of the recent book Antiquaries, on the background context to Greenwell's era; by Alexandrina Buchanan on Greenwell's pioneering work on the architectural history of Durham Cathedral; by Mark Bowden, author of the Pitt-Rivers biography; and by a range of other researchers.

One of the conference organisers, Dr.Anne O’Connor, a research fellow in the Department of Archaeology, said:”The cathedral city of Durham, where William Greenwell spent much of his life, provides the ideal venue for this prestigious conference. We are delighted to have as our keynote speaker Professor Tim Murray from La Trobe University, Australia.

To emphasise Canon Greenwell’s importance to Durham Cathedral, a reception will be held in the Monks’ Dormitory at the Cathedral for the conference delegates on the night of Saturday 16th April” William Greenwell (1820–1918) lived at a time when the British past was coming under intensive scrutiny. He was one of a remarkable group of researchers who were trying to make sense of their history and prehistory, and his contribution is at last beginning to be recognised.

For further information contact : Dr. Anne O’Connor, Department of Archaeology, Tel 0191 334 41152 e-mail : anne.o’connor@durham.ac.uk

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Office, University of Durham. Tel 0191 334 6078 e-mail : t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk

Notes for editors :

Archaeology at Durham has an established reputation for delivering high quality undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses across a broad range of archaeology, as reflected in the achievement of a score of 23/24 points in the last Quality Assurance Agency subject review. Our sustained excellence in research, underscored by obtaining a 5 in the 1996 and 2001 Research Assessment Exercises, also ranges widely with projects based in the UK, Europe, the Near East, India and the Far East. The Department also has a highly regarded archaeological consultancy service unit (ASUD) that has clients across the UK.

Some current projects within the Department are:

• The Ingram and Upper Breamish Valley Landscape Project (Archaeological Services University of Durham) – Northumberland National Park's 'Discovering our Hillfort Heritage (Heritage Lottery Fund and European Union funded)
• Dating of brick form late medieval buildings (Ian Bailiff) – support from English Heritage
• The Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture (Rosemary Cramp) – AHRB funded
• The north-east regional research framework for the historical environment (coordinated by Chris Gerrard) – English Heritage, Durham County Council and University of Durham funded
• The Shapwick Project, Somerset. Rural landscape and settlement at the wetland margin (Chris Gerrard and Mick Aston, University of Bristol) – Engligh Heritage funded
• Sex and shopping: the archaeology of commerce and leisure from the Middle Ages to the early Modern period (Pam Graves)
• Canon Greenwell and archaeological research in northern England (Pam Graves, Mark White and Anne O'Connor) – Leverhulme Trust funded
• The archaeology of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Pam Graves) – AHRB, English Heritage, Newcastle City Council, Tyne and Wear County Council funded
• History of Health in Europe from the Late Palaeolithic era to the present (Charlotte Roberts) – part National Science Foundation funded
• The impact of habitat on respiratory health through time (Charlotte Roberts)
• Skeletal remains from St Guthlac's Priory, Hereford (Charlotte Roberts) – Archaeological Investigations Ltd., Hereford funded
• Radiocarbon dating and central Mediterranean prehistory (Robin Skeates)
• Ancient human occupation of Britain (Mark White) – Leverhulme Trust funded (www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/ahob)

The following Research Centres are based within the Department:

• The Centre for the Archaeology of Central and Eastern Europe
• The Centre for Roman Provincial Archaeology