Glastonbury Abbey: Archaeological Archive Project
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Reading
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
Glastonbury Abbey is crucial to understanding British monasticism, and it holds a special place in English popular culture. Thirty-four seasons of excavations took place between 1904 and 1979, but the results have remained unpublished. This project will analyse and publish the archive of excavations at Glastonbury Abbey by iconic figures in the history of archaeology: St John Hope (1904), Bligh Bond (1908-21), Peers and Clapham (1928-39) and Ralegh Radford (1951-64). The Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey are project partners and the results of the study will inform site interpretation and museum display.
Glastonbury was one of the earliest monasteries in England, likely dating from the seventh century, and was reputedly the only one to have enjoyed continuous occupation to the sixteenth century. In 1191 the monks alleged that they had uncovered the graves of Arthur and Guinevere, and later they promoted a link with Joseph of Arimathea, claiming that he had founded the first church in AD 63. The Arthurian connection was developed after a devastating fire of 1184, when funds were needed to rebuild the Abbey.
Archaeological excavations focused on the main claustral ranges and parts of the cemetery, and substantial assemblages were recovered of worked stone, window glass, pottery, ceramic tiles and small finds. The site's central importance to archaeological scholarship stems from the interim publication of a series of early medieval churches, a vallum enclosure, potentially the earliest cloister in Britain, and craft-working activities including unique glass furnaces. This project will analyse the archive records and excavated finds to consider key research questions. Is there evidence for occupation pre-dating the early monastery? What is the form and date of the early 'family' of churches and the first cloister? Can continuous occupation be demonstrated? What was the scale and extent of the early craft-working centre? Is it possible to reconstruct the zoning and land-use of the early monastery and the subsequent development of the medieval precinct? Can we reconstruct the architectural form, style and development of the later medieval abbey? Did the emphasis placed on myth and cult activities create a distinctive layout in the medieval church and cloister?
Analysis of the archive will be complemented by a new geophysical survey of the precinct. The geophysics will enhance interpretation of the cloister excavations and increase knowledge of the broader precinct. It will also facilitate the assessment of surviving buried deposits, contributing to their conservation and guiding future research.
The full publication of the Glastonbury archive will achieve a major landmark in monastic archaeology. Beyond the intrinsic historical significance of the Abbey, the site is of demonstrated international importance in understanding early medieval glassworking, and for advancing understanding of the transition between the early and later medieval monastic plans.
The results of the project will be published as a monograph and will be accessible as an online database through the Archaeology Data Service. This project will present new findings on a site that is highly valued by the international academic audience, the local community and the multi-denominational community of visitors to the Abbey, numbering over 100,000 each year.
Glastonbury was one of the earliest monasteries in England, likely dating from the seventh century, and was reputedly the only one to have enjoyed continuous occupation to the sixteenth century. In 1191 the monks alleged that they had uncovered the graves of Arthur and Guinevere, and later they promoted a link with Joseph of Arimathea, claiming that he had founded the first church in AD 63. The Arthurian connection was developed after a devastating fire of 1184, when funds were needed to rebuild the Abbey.
Archaeological excavations focused on the main claustral ranges and parts of the cemetery, and substantial assemblages were recovered of worked stone, window glass, pottery, ceramic tiles and small finds. The site's central importance to archaeological scholarship stems from the interim publication of a series of early medieval churches, a vallum enclosure, potentially the earliest cloister in Britain, and craft-working activities including unique glass furnaces. This project will analyse the archive records and excavated finds to consider key research questions. Is there evidence for occupation pre-dating the early monastery? What is the form and date of the early 'family' of churches and the first cloister? Can continuous occupation be demonstrated? What was the scale and extent of the early craft-working centre? Is it possible to reconstruct the zoning and land-use of the early monastery and the subsequent development of the medieval precinct? Can we reconstruct the architectural form, style and development of the later medieval abbey? Did the emphasis placed on myth and cult activities create a distinctive layout in the medieval church and cloister?
Analysis of the archive will be complemented by a new geophysical survey of the precinct. The geophysics will enhance interpretation of the cloister excavations and increase knowledge of the broader precinct. It will also facilitate the assessment of surviving buried deposits, contributing to their conservation and guiding future research.
The full publication of the Glastonbury archive will achieve a major landmark in monastic archaeology. Beyond the intrinsic historical significance of the Abbey, the site is of demonstrated international importance in understanding early medieval glassworking, and for advancing understanding of the transition between the early and later medieval monastic plans.
The results of the project will be published as a monograph and will be accessible as an online database through the Archaeology Data Service. This project will present new findings on a site that is highly valued by the international academic audience, the local community and the multi-denominational community of visitors to the Abbey, numbering over 100,000 each year.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Roberta Gilchrist (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Gilchrist R
(2019)
Sacred Heritage - Monastic Archaeology, Identities, Beliefs
Gilchrist, R
(2013)
Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the British Academy, XII: XII
Gilchrist, R
(2009)
Glastonbury Abbey chapter house
in Medieval Archaeology
Gilchrist, R
(2016)
Glastonbury Abbey: the Archaeological Story
Gilchrist, R
(2015)
Glastonbury Abbey: Archaeological Investigations 1904 - 1979
Gilchrist, R
(2016)
Open Access release: Glastonbury Abbey Investigations: 1904-1979
Gilchrist, R
(2017)
Glastonbury Abbey Guide Book
H Willmott
(2013)
Late seventh-century glassmaking at Glastonbury Abbey
in Journal of Glass Studies
| Title | Exhibition at Glastonbury Abbey Museum: 'From Fire and Earth: the Archaeology of Crafts at Glastonbury Abbey' |
| Description | An exhibition was mounted at Glastonbury Abbey Museum based on the findings of the research project. 12 panels of text were prepared and these were displayed together with objects from the excavations. The exhibition was launched at the Annual Reception of Glastonbury Abbey, where Roberta Gilchrist (Project PI) spoke on the AHRC project. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Impact | The temporary exhibition was in place for 4 months at Glastonbury and was also displayed for one day at the Society of Antiquaries of London (Burlington House), on the occasion of a symposium dedicated to the research project. The exhibition was also used for the Abbey's education programme, introducing Schools to evidence for medieval technology and craft. |
| Description | AHRC funding enabled full analysis of the entire archive of antiquarian excavations: 36 seasons of excavation took place 1904-79, but the results had never been published. The aims of the project were to reassess and interpret all known archaeological records and to provide a complete dataset to address the key research questions for Glastonbury Abbey. The monograph and associated online database were launched in November 2015 and the monograph was published open access in November 2016. The monograph critically evaluates the archaeological evidence and its value for understanding the Abbey's unique place in the story of English monasticism. The medieval abbey achieved international fame as the burial place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere: the monks claimed to have excavated their graves in 1191. An origins myth was cultivated to proclaim Glastonbury's primacy among English monasteries: a history was commissioned from William of Malmesbury (c 1129-30) which hinted that the first church on the site had been built by the Disciples of Christ. Later versions embellished Glastonbury's origins story: by the 14th century, it was believed that the old church had been built by Joseph of Arimathea, the great-uncle of Christ. The Arimathean legend connected Glastonbury directly to the life of Christ, providing a justification for the Abbeys spiritual pre-eminence and establishing its significance to English cultural identity. The key findings are: - New evidence for previously unknown prehistoric, Roman and Saxon occupation on the site of the Abbey, pre-dating the earliest documented Saxon monastery at Glastonbury. - A craft-working complex of 5 glass furnaces representing the earliest and most substantial evidence for glass-working in Saxon England. It has been radiocarbon dated to c. AD 700. - Several details of Radford's interpretation of the early medieval monastery are challenged, including the existence of a pre-Christian 'British' cemetery, the discovery of Arthur's grave, and the alleged Saxon cloister, supposedly the first in England. - Re-examination of the records has confirmed evidence for the Norman and later medieval monastic ranges and revealed the exceptional scale of the abbot's lodging, a luxurious palatial complex to the southwest of the cloister. - There are many conservative or retrospective elements evident in the architecture of Glastonbury Abbey; this tendency seems to have been deliberate and strategic, aimed at demonstrating the antiquity of Glastonbury and its pre-eminent place in monastic history. - The distinctive layout and development of the Abbey was influenced by its origin legends; the religious and cult focus of the site was to the west of the Abbey church, centred on the Lady Chapel that occupied the site of the legendary early church that was destroyed by fire in 1184. These findings have immediate implications for the interpretation and presentation of the site to the public (over 100,000 per annum), including visitors whose principal motivation is to view the grave-site of Arthur. |
| Exploitation Route | The research influenced the planning of a major Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Application by Glastonbury Abbey, submitted in March 2018. The research was used to create a 3D model of the abbey precinct for planning purposes and a new strategy for site layout and signage is being developed based on improved archaeological understanding of the site. The project approach and methodology have been recommended in the Conservation Plan and Heritage Assessment for Bury St Edmunds Abbey (funded by Historic England). The Bury St Edmunds Heritage Partnership is developing a project based on the model of the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project. AHRC FoF enabled the creation of digital reconstructions of Glastonbury Abbey based on the research, to enhance visitor experience and understanding of the site. It also supported the development of educational resources linked to the National Curriculum (KS 2/3, GCSE, OCR) and family trails, for schools and independent visitors to Glastonbury Abbey. The research was also used in a new guide book for visitors and a magazine article. All resources were co-produced with the Director and staff of Glastonbury Abbey. The ADS archive has received has received 3085 visits, 4328 downloads and 15,923 page views. (http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/glastonbury_ahrc_2014/) |
| Sectors | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/glastonbury_ahrc_2014/ |
| Description | The research findings have been used extensively at Glastonbury Abbey and have influenced conservation and collections policy and approaches to interpretation and education (including a new Interpretation Strategy and a Revised Conservation Plan). The findings helped to shape ambitious plans for new development, including a new museum and educational centre, which were the subject of a major bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (2018). AHRC FoF enabled the creation of educational and interpretive resources for use at Glastonbury Abbey, which receives over 100,000 visitors each year. The findings have been used in digital reconstructions, interactive digital resources, guide book, education packs and trails. A new website makes the results of the FoF project available to the wider public (launched March 2018). The digital component of the research is continuing to develop, through co-design of digital immersive concepts to interpret the site's archaeology to visitors. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
| Sector | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Economic |
| Description | Cited as examplar in Bury St Edmunds Heritage Assessment and Conservation Plan, funded by Historic England |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Description | Cited extensively in Glastonbury Abbey Conservation Management Plan Vol 1 and Vol 2 by Keystone Historic Consultants |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The report draws extensively on the Gilchrist and Green 2015. The overview states of the monograph: It is not only an important foundation for the future management and presentation of the abbey's heritage but has demanded follow-through change on site, e.g. better storage of the collections and their and accessibility to visitors and researchers. It has added real weight to the need to upgrade the presentation and on-site interpretation of the monastic buildings above and below ground. The admirable ways in which the project findings have been widely disseminated, including at popular seminars and talks, have proved that it is possible to bridge what can often be a huge gap between scholarly and popular understanding of a place, even at Glastonbury where understanding of, and attachment to the precinct is so diverse. This, in turn, has underlined the abbey's need for more space for learning and for conferences. |
| Description | Additional radiocarbon dates for Glastonbury Abbey |
| Amount | £1,044 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Somerset Archaeology & Natural History Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Follow on Funding for Impact and Engagement |
| Amount | £79,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2015 |
| End | 10/2016 |
| Description | GLASTONBURY ABBEY: STORYTELLING THROUGH IMMERSIVE HERITAGE PRACTICE |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/W002787/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 01/2023 |
| Description | Small grant from Gray Fund of the Somerset Archaeology & Natural History Society |
| Amount | £3,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Somerset Archaeology & Natural History Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2011 |
| End | 06/2011 |
| Description | Small grant from the Society for Medieval Archaeology 2011 |
| Amount | £1,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Society for Medieval Archaeology |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2011 |
| End | 12/2011 |
| Description | University of Reading 'Building Oustanding Impact Project' |
| Amount | £4,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2017 |
| End | 10/2019 |
| Description | University of Reading 'Undergraduate Research Opportunity' scheme. This is funding for a student placement to develop and implement evaluation of the project by social medial and stakeholder workshops |
| Amount | £1,300 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2016 |
| End | 09/2016 |
| Title | Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Excavations 1904-79 Digital Archive |
| Description | The database uses the 'Integrated Archaeological Database' developed by the York Archaeological Trust. It has been modified for use with antiquarian archaeological records by this project. The full database includes all stratigraphic records, objects, drawings, photographs associated with excavations 1904-1979 at Glastonbury Abbey. Antiquarian illustrations and photographs are also included as well as the full specialist reports and catalogues of all material culture associated with the excavations. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The full database has been archived with the ADS in York and was made available to the public in October 2015. The usage statistics from October 2015 to January 2017 are as follows: 1499 visits, 1959 file downloads, 8504 page views. http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/glastonbury_ahrc_2014/stats.cfm |
| URL | http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/glastonbury_ahrc_2014/ |
| Description | 'Exploring hidden heritage through the development of a Brazil-UK archaeology and museum collections knowledge sharing network' |
| Organisation | Ponta Grossa State University |
| Department | Department of History |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The FoF has led to new collaboration with partners in Brazil, who are interested in using the Glastonbury Abbey project as a model for developing collections-based research, digital technologies and community engagement around archaeological archives connected with religious sites (Spanish mission sites dating to the 16th and 17th centuries). A mobility funding application was made to the Newton Fund (CONFAP; £3075) in October 2016, to fund Gilchrist to travel to Brazil to hold a series of workshops with partners and explore the potential for developing a network application. Gilchrist is PI and the Co-I is Dr Evelyn Nimmo of Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. If successful, the visit will take place in September 2017 and video conferencing will be used to engage UK partners in the workshops, including Glastonbury Abbey Museum, the Museum of English Rural Life (Reading) and the Centre for Collections-Based Research (University of Reading). |
| Collaborator Contribution | We have developed a joint application for mobility funding and the partners will host a series of workshops and site visits. We will engage researchers, students, and local heritage managers in a series of round-table discussions and workshops exploring innovative approaches to community and stakeholder engagement, digital technologies, and relationship building across institutions to: - build capacity in research on museum collections in order to create new knowledge about the region's past and increase interest in collections research; - foster collaborative networks between state institutions and community cultural heritage managers to ensure effective communication and buy-in; - develop technical and research skills in creating and using interactive tools to engage local communities, students, and academics in Paraná's mission history. |
| Impact | The outcome so far is a mobility funding application and plan for 7-day visit to develop a formal network. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary, involving Archaeology, History and Museum Studies. Partners are: Museu Paranaense, Curitiba, Brazil and Department of History, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG) Brazil |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | HEIF Project: Innovation in Immersive Heritage Interpretation: Glastonbury Abbey |
| Organisation | Architectural Thread |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | I applied for Higher Education Innovation Funding (£16,200) through the University of Reading to work with Architectural Thread and Glastonbury Abbey on the project 'Innovation in Immersive Heritage Interpretation: Glastonbury Abbey'. This project used an Industrial Strategy lens to promote new thinking in the heritage sector. I led knowledge exchange activities to introduce key principles of the Industrial Strategy Creative Industries Sector Deal to Glastonbury Abbey and its architectural consultants, Architectural Thread, and heritage consultants, Heritage & Community and I P Design. In late 2020, we began to work with immersive technology specialists, Arcade, and will shortly be submitting an AHRC FoF application to take forward this work. 2022 update: AHRC FoF has been awarded to further develop Immersive Storytelling at Glastonbury Abbey. Architectural Thread and Arcade Ltd are collaborating organisations in the resarch. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners collaborated in evaluating best practice in digital immersive heritage internationally. This knowledge informed co-design of outline concepts for digital immersive interpretation at three spaces at Glastonbury Abbey. 2022 update: Architectural Thread will develop prototype markers to work with the AR app being designed by Arcade |
| Impact | Outcomes include the HEIF grant (which I have been unable to add to the grant section of Researchfish), two knowledge exchange workshops, three reports on the project, architectural drawings of outline concepts and a presentation to the trustees of Glastonbury Abbey. A direct outcome of the work is that the trustees of Glastonbury Abbey have changed their development and interpretation strategies to prioritise immersive visitor experience. Several follow up meetings have been held and we are currently evaluating funding streams to consider how to take this forward to seek funding for implementation. 2022 update: £80,000 AHRC FoF award secured. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Reading Abbey Revealed Project |
| Organisation | Reading Museum |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Reading Museum completed a £3.15m project to conserve and reinterpret the ruins of Reading Abbey. The PI (Gilchrist) was invited to establish an academic advisory panel to provide specialist expertise on monastic archaeology, history and heritage interpretation, based on the Glastonbury AHRC FoF project. Expert advice was provided at a workshop in Dec 2016 (including the PI and Co-I ). Reading Museum has confirmed that our input has influenced the re-interpretation of Reading Abbey in three key respects. First, we recommended that as multi-cultural community of many religious denominations, the Reading audience would be interested in understanding the medieval Christian site of Reading Abbey in the context of other world religions. The interpretation strategy will now have 'World' dates added to the introductory timeline and modern pilgrimage practices will be referenced in explanations of medieval pilgrimage. Secondly, we recommended using maps to convey information and national and international connections. It has been agreed that maps will be used to show: origins of relics, where pilgrims came from, monastic connections (Cluny, Battle, Lewes, Leominster, Isle of May etc). Thirdly, we recommended that a handling collection might be developed on the site of the Reading Abbey ruins. It has been agreed that some stones will be mounted on low pedestals around the site with text picking out a key feature of carving or shape. In addition, the digital resources from the Glastonbury AHRC project were shared with Reading Museum to provide an example of good practice in multi-layered interpretation and heritage visualization. In 2020-21, we built on this collaboration to develop a joint application for a Collaborative Doctoral Award to map and interpret the excavated evidence for Reading Abbey, based on the model of the Glastonbury Abbey project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Reading Museum and Berkshire Archaeology collaborated with Gilchrist in submitting an application for a Collaborative Doctoral Studentship (AHRC Southwest and Wales Consortium). This received funding and the PhD student started in autumn 2021. Reading Museum hosted a workshop in December 2016. Further workshops are planned for the next phase of interpretation and we intend to apply for University of Reading funds for student placements to work with Reading Museum on the Reading Abbey Revealed Project. |
| Impact | The outcome is the influence on Reading Museum interpretation and practice. The new Reading Abbey Gallery was launched in February 2018. 2022 update: an application was made to the AHRC SWWC for a Collaborative Doctoral Award to take forward the digital interpretation, in collaboration with Reading Museum and Berkshire Archaeology. This was successful and the PhD studentship will commence in autumn 2021. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | AHRC film on Glastonbury Abbey Project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A short film was commissioned by the AHRC about the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project. This is posted on the AHRC website and there is a link from the Glastonbury Abbey and University of Reading websites. The film explores the contribution of the Archive Project to re-interpreting the ruins and the excavated evidence to the public. The PI and PDRAs are interviewed and the Director and Curator of Glastonbury Abbey explains that the project has 'provided a road map for the future'. The film was seen by a TV producer who specialises in making programmes on archaeology and religion (David Wilson). He invited me to work with him in developing a proposal for possible commission. This is under consideration with BBC4. The AHRC film has had international reach and has led to invitations to speak on the project in Sweden (Universities of Lund, Stockholm and Gothenburg) and USA (Brown University, Providence, RI). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Article in The Conversation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An article in The Conversation was used to launch the website in March 2018 (www.glastonburyabbeyarchaeology.org). The article was published on 23 March 2018. It reached an audience of 23,719 readers, principally international and largely in the USA: USA 50.6%, UK 23.4%, Australia 6.6%, Canada 5%, other 14.4% |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/glastonbury-archaeology-is-revealing-new-truths-about-the-origins-of-bri... |
| Description | Broadcast Media response to book launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Following the press release and an article in The Guardian, I was interviewed by the following TV and radio to discuss the Glastonbury Abbey project: BBC1 TV News at 6.00 and 11.00 ITV News SW BBC World Service BBC Radio 4 World at One BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio Somerset BBC Radio Berkshire I was invited to write short articles for popular magazines in the UK and USA (Current Archaeology and Archaeology USA). I was invited to give a lecture at Winchester College. I was nominated the following week by Current Archaeology for 'Archaeologist of the Year'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34917890 |
| Description | Broadcast interview in documentary for Smithsonian Channel, USA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed about the research and it featured in a documentary on 'Arthur' in a series called 'Sacred Sites', broadcast on the Smithsonian Channel (USA) on 13 August 2018 (Tile Films Ltd, director David Ryan). It has been repeated several times on the Smithsonian Channel and will shortly be broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK. The outcome is to raise awareness of the research to an international, general audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/sacred-sites/king-arthur/1003827/3461845 |
| Description | Enrichment Day at Glastonbury Abbey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | On February 3rd 2014, a enrichment day for A level and GCSE students was held at Glastonbury Abbey, jointly organised with the Department of Archaeology at the University of Reading. Over 120 students came from Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. They participated in workshops handling archaeological finds, had a tour of the ruins and a lecture on the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project. They also participated in a mind-mapping exercise in which they first listed their prior understanding of Glastonbury Abbey and then after the workshop listed how their understanding had changed. There was also a blog competition for the students to express what they had learned. We received follow up emails from teachers asking for additional information on the project. Students submitted blogs and this was posted by the University of Reading. The winning entry was from Bruton School for girls and is quoted below. This student was awarded a placement day working 'behind the scenes' at Glastonbury Abbey. 'Despite my love of history, I have never studied or seriously researched Archaeology. The talks at Glastonbury Abbey have helped to change that! From learning about the excavation of bones, to the science behind the archaeology itself, the whole day was fascinating and I came away with new interests and a desire to know more. Professor Roberta Gilchrist's talk on how archaeological techniques can help us to understand the medieval world was enlightening and brought alive a subject I hadn't previously considered. The idea that, using carbon dating techniques, a piece of pottery can give us accurate data on the age of the monastery is amazing. Learning about and seeing a geophysical survey was exciting and I was surprised by how much archaeologists can learn without digging-and destroying the evidence. Although I had previously heard a few of the Glastonbury Abbey myths, I didn't know much about it before I arrived and the influence it once had was completely unknown to me. The mind map we were asked to write at the beginning of the day certainly highlighted that; however, by the afternoon, I could recount a detailed chronology of the abbey's history alongside some of its many legends, and the reasons behind them. I think what captured my attention most, was the idea that when, in 1191, the monks at Glastonbury claimed to dig up the grave of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. They were probably just trying to make money and had no idea of the effect that the myth would have, not only on the thousands of visitors that were attracted to the Abbey by it, but on how it would influence future historical research of the site. Meeting leading archaeologists and learning about their work was really interesting. The range of information and different types of work they are doing is incredible and has opened my eyes to many aspects of archaeology I hadn't previously thought about. How it is presented, for example, is key in how much people learn and how much of an interest they take in the subject. The bones found at the site help us to discover what type of lifestyle the monks at the Abbey lived and the ecosystems and fossils found, work with the geophysical technology to show where buildings would have once been. Although the day showed that real archaeology doesn't happen like it does on 'Time Team', it opened my eyes to career options I had never previously considered and gave my love of history a new dimension. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Interview for documentary for Deutsche Welle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The AHRC-funded research on Glastonbury Abbey was featured in a documentary series for Deutsche Welle on Myths, 'Mythos - Die größten Rätsel der Geschichte', in an episode on the Holy Grail. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Lecture at Current Archaeology Live Conference, February 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a lecture at the annual conference run by Current Archaeology for readers of the popular magazine. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/features/current-archaeology-live-2017.htm |
| Description | Lecture at Winchester College |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A lecture was given at the annual symposium of Winchester College to sixth form and teachers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | One day public symposium on Glastonbury Abbey held at Glastonbury Town Hall |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The one day event was an opportunity for the local community to hear talks from specialists on the project, to handle objects and to engage in tours of the abbey ruins. They also had an opportunity to give feedback on the project and to emphasise what they considered to be the important research questions. There were many questions after each paper and also subsequent email requests for further information and updates. Glastonbury Abbey received requests from members of the public who wished to volunteer to work with the collections in the Glastonbury Abbey Museum (which are being studied by the AHRC project). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | One-day Seminar at the Society of Antiquaries of London (16 Nov 2012): GLASTONBURY ABBEY: HISTORIC EXCAVATIONS AND CURRENT RESEARCH |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Scope: 10 papers: 6 on the AHRC project and 1 related AHRC CDA project. Audience: 90 delegates, including Trustees and employees of Glastonbury Abbey, Fellows of the Society and local stakeholders. There were also podcasts on the Society of Antiquaries website. Exhibition: 'Fire and Earth' highlighted archaeological evidence for craftworking in the medieval monastery. It was also mounted at the Glastonbury Abbey visitor centre from May-Sept 2012. Web Publication: The presentations were videoed and published online: http://www.sal.org.uk/newsandevents/glastonburyabbeyhistoric Review: The conference was reviewed in the online publication of the Antiquaries (SALON, 288: 28 November 2012). "Until now Glastonbury has been viewed through the filter of an interim report published by Radford in 1981 in which he argued for a series of Anglo-Saxon monastic churches and an early Saxon cemetery, associated with Britain's earliest formal monastic cloister and with a series of early glass furnaces. In her paper, Roberta Gilchrist examined the evidence for each of these claims and cast doubt on Radford's interpretation. There is pottery evidence of something going on here in the late fifth and early sixth centuries, but nothing that can be securely characterised as monastic. The masonry that Radford thought was part of the cloister consist of fragments that do not align, and that probably belong to separate buildings: the supposed cloister would, in any event, have been huge - built on a scale not paralleled anywhere else. Roberta's iconoclastic paper concluded that there was evidence of sixth-century occupation, and for a major campaign of church building in the late seventh century, but an almost total absence of the sort of material culture that one would expect for the mid- to late Saxon periods. Clearly there was an early monastic presence at Glastonbury, but that we had yet to locate the main structures, which might well lie north of the churches, not to the south, which is where Radford mainly excavated." The symposium reported progress on the AHRC research project and the associated CDA project. It was featured as the 'annual symposium' of the Society of Antiquaries of London and was also advertised in the Glastonbury region. I received follow up invitations to deliver papers and to write a popular article. I also received very positive email feedback from local stakeholders including trustees of Glastonbury Abbey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.glastonburyabbeysymposium.com/speaker.php?&id=1001&rpn=background |
| Description | Press release and exhibition: 8 May 2012 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | A press release was made to highlight the significance of a research finding and to publicise an exhibition connected to the project. "Glass furnaces recorded in 1955-7 were previously thought to date from before the Norman Conquest. However, radiocarbon dating has now revealed that they date approximately to the 680s, and are likely to be associated with a major rebuilding of the abbey undertaken by King Ine of Wessex. Glass-making at York and Wearmouth is recorded in historical documents in the 670s but Glastonbury provides the earliest and most substantial archaeological evidence for glass-making in Saxon Britain. The extensive remains of five furnaces have been identified, together with fragments of clay crucibles and glass for window glazing and drinking vessels, mainly of vivid blue-green colour. It is likely that specialist glassworkers came from Gaul (France) to work at Glastonbury. The glass will be analysed chemically to provide further information on the sourcing and processing of materials. Professor Gilchrist said: "Glastonbury Abbey is a site of international historical importance but until now the excavations have remained unpublished. The research project reveals new evidence for the early date of the monastery at Glastonbury and charts its development over one thousand years, from the 6th century to its dissolution in the 16th century." An exhibition at Glastonbury Abbey Museum, 'From Fire & Earth', tells the story of the Abbey's pioneering role in medieval crafts and technology, and runs until 16 September 2012." http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/news_item.php?&dx=1&ob=3&rpn=index&id=4412 The research was reported by numerous blogs, local newspapers, BBC website. I was interviewed on BBC Berkshire to discuss the findings. http://medievalhistories.com//?s=glass+at+glastonbury [Swedish-based web magazine] http://clasmerdin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/excavations-records-reveal-saxon-glass.html [Arthurian-focused blog] |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Print media response to book launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A press release was issued in November 2015 to announce the publication of the Glastonbury Abbey book and digital archive. I was interviewed by The Guardian and several other newspapers. This resulted in national and international coverage with articles published in the following print medIa: National: The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, Belfast Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Evening Express Regional: Western Daily Press, Central Somerset Gazette, Somerset County Gazette International: New York Daily Press, Washington Post, Lonely Planet, The Australian Current Archaeology magazine featured a follow up article in Feb 2016 (issue 311, p. 8-9) I was asked to write short articles in popular magazines in the UK and USA (Current Archaeology; Archaeology USA). I was invited to speak at Winchester College. The following week, I was shortlisted by Current Archaeology for Archaeologist of the Year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/nov/23/glastonbury-myths-made-up-by-12th-century-monks |
| Description | Public lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A public lecture was given in May 2016 at the Society of Antiquaries in their popular, lunchtime series. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Salsibury Festival of Archaeology July 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave the opening lecture for the 2017 Salisbury Festival of Archaeology, on the topic of Glastonbury Abbey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.salisburymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/festival-archaeology-2017/festival-archaeology-talks-prof... |
| Description | Social media announcing Open Access publication |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The launch of the monograph on open access was picked up on Twitter. 77 tweets from 65 tweeters reaching 140,627 followers. Altmetric score of 56, on 3 March 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | The Rhind Lectures May 2017 (6 public lectures in Edinburgh, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Two of the six Rhind Lectures focused on Glastonbury Abbey. The audience for the lectures was around 300 people, while the pocasts on youtube have reached an additional national and international audience. Rhind 5 - 'Monastic Legacies: memory and the biography of place' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYDRc0SP8Fk = 69 views; Rhind 6 - Sacred Myths: archaeology and authenticity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ycek6Tp-I = 109 views |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.socantscot.org/event/sacred-heritage-the-archaeology-of-medieval-beliefs-rhind-lectures/ |