British Archaeological Awards
11 July 2012
A book outlining a new dating technique for more accurately studying Neolithic Britain has been recognised at the British Archaeology Awards.
Gathering Time by Professor Alasdair Whittle of the School of History, Archaeology and Religion; Frances Healy, Honorary Research Fellow at the School; and Alex Bayliss of English Heritage won the Best Archaeological Book category at the Awards.
The book presents the results of a major dating programme that re‐writes the early Neolithic period of Britain by more accurately dating enclosures – places of construction, labour, assembly, ritual and deposition.
It was praised by judges for being "genuinely game changing in several ways" and for being "highly readable".
"Our book represents eight years hard work by an extensive team, to whom much is owed," said Alasdair Whittle. "We collaborated with a large number of dedicated excavators and museum curators, and we were lucky to have the help of our expert illustrator, Ian Dennis. We are also very grateful to our sponsors, English Heritage and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Gathering Time will help to take the 'pre' out of prehistory."
Gathering Time was one of three nominations from Cardiff. The ground-breaking project, Lost City of the Legion - Archaeological Research at Caerleon 2006-11 led by Dr Peter Guest of the School and Day of Archaeology, co-organised by Matt Law, a Cardiff PhD student were also nominated in the Best Archaeological Discovery and Best Representation of Archaeology in the Media categories respectively.
The British Archaeological Awards are a showcase for the best in UK archaeology and a central event in the archaeological calendar. Established in 1976, they now encompass six awards, covering every aspect of UK archaeology.
The 2012 awards were presented to winners by UK Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose MP and the ceremony was compèred by Loyd Grossman, Chair of The Heritage Alliance.
Dr Mike Heyworth MBE, Chairman of the British Archaeological Awards, commented:
"All the winners and other highly commended nominations are to be congratulated.
Individually and collectively they demonstrate the diverse and flourishing nature of archaeology across the UK. It is a discipline which not only advances our understanding of humanity, but also engages everyone and has the potential to make a significant contribution to our individual well‐being and sense of community."