Field Archaeologist Appointed

The creation of this post is the culmination of more than thirty years of campaigning by Margaret Finlaison and others in the Société for a professional archaeologist in Jersey.  This post is funded at no cost to the Société, as it has been made possible by a recent, most generous donation from an anonymous benefactor.  Robert will be based in the former library between the first and second floors (also known as the Lily Langtry Room) and is looking for volunteers for his first excavation at 16 New Street, St Helier, later in August.

Robert, who took up his post on August 2nd, will work with the Archaeology Section to carry out excavations, field recording and landscape archaeology in Jersey for the next five years.  He has more than seventeen years experience as a professional archaeologist, working for the National Trust, English Heritage and local authorities in Devon and Somerset. Since 2003, he has operated a small archaeological consultancy in Devon and was Site Archaeologist at Morwellham Quay Museum in the Tamar Valley, but feels that it is time for a new challenge.

Robert's interests lie in landscape, industrial and buildings archaeology, ranging right across the archaeological spectrum. He has carried out survey work on Lihou Island in Guernsey for Heather Sebire and is currently carrying out a detailed survey of the Silver Mines in Little Sark. As part of his duties, he will also be carrying out a detailed landscape survey of Jersey, which will hopefully give new understanding of the island's development over time.  A research strategy should develop from this work, which will benefit future generations of archaeologists.

This photograph of Robert, exploring the prehistoric cave at La Belle Hougue, near Rozel with the Archaeology Section on 31st July, was taken by Jeremy Percival.  He is due to become a father in November and his wife Cathryn will be coming to join him here with their new baby in the New Year.