Sangro Valley Project, 2004-present
Co-directed by Dr Edward Bispham (Oxford) and Prof. Susan Kane (Oberlin College), the Sangro Valley Project is a regional investigation of the landscape in and around the valley of the River Sangro in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Originating in a field survey project under the late Dr John Lloyd, and modelled by him on the Biferno Valley Project, the SVP has recently focused on excavation, geophysical prospection and in-woods survey in the area around Monte Pallano (see also
Brad Sekedat's forum). Having excavated with the Project as Field Assistant, Unit Supervisor and Site Supervisor in 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively, I returned in 2007 as a Research Associate. My remit was the design and subsequent testing of a revitalized field survey, addressing areas outside Lloyd's original survey zone, and utilising modern methods of digitised siteless survey (in particular the capture of spatial data with GPS and subsequent manipulation in a GIS). The testing of the methodology was successful, and after finishing work on the 2007 data I hope to return with a larger team at some point after the 2008 season.
Kato Phana Archaeological Project, 2005
Directed by Dr Lesley Beaumont, formerly of the BSA and now of the University of Sydney, the Kato Phana Archaeological Project involved the survey and subsequent excavation of a multi-period sanctuary site (that of Apollo Phanaios) on Chios, Greece. In 2005 I excavated with the Project as a Field Assistant and Draughtsperson, spending four weeks working on an early Byzantine structure to the south-east of the main sanctuary complex.
Flag Fen, 2001
Flag Fen is a wetland site in eastern England, situated on the boundary between the Midlands and the (now drained) sub sea-level basin called the Fens. The site consists of a wooden causeway structure, which seemingly underwent construction and continuous reconstruction from the Bronze Age through the Early Iron Age. I excavated here in 2001 under the direction of Dr Francis Pryor, the discoverer of the site and now associated with the University of Nottingham and the Fenland Archaeological Trust. On-site work focused on the correct procedure for the excavation of saturated wood, and the post-excavation care of such wood.
