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Lecture: The Parkers of HeytesburyHere's one for the 'common man' LECTURE: The Parkers of Heytesbury: The First Field Archaeologists Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes 2:30 pm, Saturday, 06 March, 2010 A lecture by Paul Everill about Stephen and John Parker, labourers from Heytesbury who helped William Cunnington with his excavations. Histories of archaeology often focus on the role of wealthy, educated men and women in the development of the field techniques and the production of knowledge. While it is undeniable that these individuals were, in many senses, the instigators of archaeological endeavour and interest, traditional histories of the discipline ignore the central contribution of the ordinary excavators. Principal amongst these forgotten pioneers must be Stephen and John Parker of Heytesbury, the two labourers employed by William Cunnington on all his excavations between 1801 and his death at the end of 1810. This lecture uses evidence from the original letters and documents held in the WANHS library at Devizes to illuminate the role of the Parkers, and argues that the two men should be given greater credit for their contribution to the fledgling discipline of archaeology. Paul Everill holds a doctorate from the University of Southampton and currently teaches applied archaeological techniques at the University of Winchester. He has established research interests in contemporary commercial archaeology; the history of archaeology; the development of fieldwork techniques and contemporary practice; and archaeological pedagogy. He is co-director of an archaeological expedition to the former Soviet republic of Georgia, which has been running since 2001. Lectures last approx. one hour. After the lecture there will be an opportunity to see some of the original manuscripts. Booking: Recommended. Contact the Bookings Secretary: telephone 01380 727369 (10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday) Source: http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=478&prev=1 Note of interest: This year is 200 years since the death of William Cunnington. |
Posted by tjj15th February 2010ce Edited 16th February 2010ce
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This afternoon I attended the above lecture. An unusual talk - Paul Everill from Winchester was open and friendly in his presenting style. The focus of the talk fell on John Parker, the son of Stephen Parker both of whom were employed as 'spade men' by William Cunnington. John went on to become knowledgeable and enthusiastic about archaeology though received little credit for the finds; it must be said, however, that Cunnington came across as a benefactor to some of the villagers of Heytesbury until he died at the age of 56 in December 1810. John Parker discovered that the Wansdyke post-dated the Roman road though this was initially accepted by Cunnington, it was rejected by Sir RC Hoare who was funding the digs. Pitt Rivers confirmed this fact 70 years later and it has been attributed to him rather than John Parker. An interesting little discussion at the end when the thorny and topical subject of reburials was touched upon. |
Posted by tjj 6th March 2010ce |
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