During the Celtic Tiger economic boom, Ireland experienced a period of prosperity which led to an unprecedented ‘golden age’ for commercial archaeology. In a four-part series, Brendon Wilkins examines the top sites, finds and controversies that defined over a decade of discovery. Imagine a place where the term ‘millionaire archaeologist’ would not sound ridiculous, and [...]
When the Celtic Tiger roared: the golden years of commercial archaeology in Ireland
January 25, 2011 By Filed Under: Features
An Interview with Rónán Swan of the National Roads Authority
January 24, 2011 By Filed Under: Lisa Westcott
The road more travelled: Rónán Swan discusses life on the road schemes with CA Editor Lisa Westcott. Why did you become an archaeologist? My father, Leo Swan, was an archaeologist, so I grew up with it. All my holidays were spent on sites, or fieldwalking places like the Dublin mountains, Tara, and the Boyne Valley. My [...]
After the Cuts: Scorched earth, or clean slate? (Part I)
As the government threatens to cut all its budgets, CA decided to ask a tough question of our colleagues: `The budget cuts have major implications for archaeology. But is it all bad news? Instead of just being about mass unemployment, lower wages, and fear, could it be that this is a chance to repurpose, do [...]
Are we all Druids now?; National Trust lacks soul?; Carlisle Castle; Socks with sandals; World Heritage diet
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Chris Catling
Are we all Druids now? Tuning in to the BBC’s religious affairs programme on 1 October, Sherds was amused to hear Emma Restall Orr, founder of the Druid Network, talking about the ‘long hard struggle’ to persuade the Charity Commission for England and Wales to grant charitable status to the Druids. This was a frustrating [...]
State of play; concrete countryside; Halloween reflections; advice on meeting a witch
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Chris Catling
State of play Believing that things are not what they used to be is a viral disease that strikes as you enter adulthood and gets worse with age, says folklorist Steve Roud. One symptom is the perennial complaint that children do not play proper games any more. In 1804, the demise of childhood games was [...]
Rock and roll; The Dunster cobbles; Historic Scotland; stonemason sparks cathedral row; Berlusconi's appendage
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Chris Catling
Rock and roll Bits of rock, in various guises, form a running theme in this month’s Sherds, starting with Neolithic ball bearings. Numerous attempts have been made to explain how the slabs of stone used in the construction of Stonehenge got to their destination. Could these huge blocks, weighing up to 4 tonnes, have been [...]
Another word on Climate Change
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
CA’s Editor in Chief discusses the evidence for climate change and wonders whether we are barking up the wrong tree. Our Archaeology 2010 conference at the British Museum was a great success – as recounted elsewhere in this issue. My main role was to chair a session on ‘climate change’, a subject that has become [...]
Quangos and Conferences
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
CA’s Editor in Chief considers the impact of our next government on heritage issues, and relives his season’s epic round of conferences. An election is coming: by the time you read this, there will be a new government. The pundits tell us that whichever government is elected, a certain retrenchment may be needed in the [...]
Good idea, wrong architect?
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
CA’s Editor in Chief evaluates the British Museum’s new expansion plan and considers whether the end will justify the means. The British Museum is expanding again. After the triumph of the Great Court building, which has been one of the most successful museum transformations in recent years, the museum is now launched on its next [...]
Who champions the amateur?
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
CA’s Editor in Chief defines the difference between community and amateur archaeology, and cautions not to leave our past to the politicians. It is commonplace today to say interest in archaeology is growing – a feeling well-expressed by Suzie Thomas in her very interesting article Common Ground (p.28). Yet I can’t help feeling that something [...]
The Roman Baths: Britain's most profitable museum?
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
I make a visit to the refurbished Roman Baths at Bath. On 9 September 2010, I was invited down to Bath for a Press Day at the Roman Baths. I had not been there for many years: indeed, I think I last saw the Roman Baths when Barry Cunliffe was still excavating there. I remember [...]
Celebrating 250 Issues of CA
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
Editor in Chief Andrew Selkirk reminisces over 250 issues of Current Archaeology. When I launched Current Archaeology, way back in 1967, I never thought I would be around to see CA 250. Mind you, for the first 206 issues, CA was bi-monthly and since it has become monthly, the numbers are adding up rather more [...]
Barbarism and Civilisation
January 20, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk
A response to Miles Russell’s and Stuart Laycock’s theory of UnRoman Britain. In their interesting essay UnRoman Britain, in CA 249, Miles Russell and Stuart Laycock argue that Romanisation in Britain was only a veneer, and that most of the population of the country remained firmly ‘UnRoman’. I disagree. I think that their argument is [...]
CA251
January 19, 2011 By Filed Under: Issues
Our features this month range from new osteological research on some of Britain’s most famous skeletons, to an in-depth look at the mysterious network of small Roman fortifications stretching across southwest Scotland, an examination of mosaics at the end of Roman Britain, and, finally, the Hackney Double Eagles. This hoard of gold coins may turn [...]
CA250
January 19, 2011 By Filed Under: Issues
This month, CA celebrates our 250th issue. Rather than looking back at what has happened since issue 200, however, we found ourselves looking forward. What will we be writing about in issue 300? Where do the opportunities lie for archaeology? The cover image says it all: we, as archaeologists, are heading into the unknown. The [...]
Time Team Season 2011 coming soon!
We are delighted to announce that Time Team will return to the small screen very soon! The new series of the long-running and much beloved archaeology programme will air on Channel 4 from February this year. Tony Robinson and the trusty team (including Professor Mick Aston) will be raising their trowels once more to grace [...]
After the Cuts: Scorched earth, or clean slate? (Part II)
January 4, 2011 By Filed Under: Andrew Selkirk, Features, News
Editor-in-chief, Andrew Selkirk offers his insight on some issues raised by spending cuts. How will universities fare under the new regime, where funds will go to students rather than to universities? Archaeology is not exactly a subject that will set you up to become a big earner, so will archaeology inevitably go into decline? I [...]
