Harold Mytum is an authority in the archaeology of early Christian Ireland, Iron Age Wales, and the mortuary monuments of the modern world. His work delves deeply into the past, uncovering the cultural and ritual practices that shaped our ancestors. Through meticulous study of archaeological remains, Mytum illuminates the complex social structures and beliefs of bygone civilizations. His insights offer valuable perspectives on the enduring legacy of human funerary customs.
Focusing on the transformative period up to AD 800, this work explores how external influences, particularly from Irish settlers in western Britain, revitalized Ireland's stagnant Iron Age culture. It delves into the significant changes that led to the emergence of a dynamic and vibrant society, highlighting the interplay between local developments and external stimuli that shaped early Christian Ireland.
Building and Rebuilding Castell Henllys Hillfort
Focusing on the defensive structures and monumentality of Castell Henllys, this volume presents findings from a 30-year excavation of an Iron Age settlement. The site is significant for its palisaded settlement, earthen ramparts, and unique gateway features, contrasting with larger hillforts in England and Wales. It explores the social and economic organization of the period, offering insights into the construction of earthworks as both military defenses and community symbols. This work serves as a key resource for advanced studies in late prehistoric archaeology.
Archaeological field schools, notably in North America but also across the world, are seminal student experiences. They are also important vehicles by which research students and academic staff carry out fieldwork research, often away from the environs of their home institution. Field schools are teaching and research projects, but they also take place within a contemporary local context. This is the first ever collection of studies examining the tensions between teaching, research and local socio-cultural conditions, and explores the range of experiences associated with field schools. It will be of interest to all those wishing to attend a field school, whether as student or junior staff member, and for novice and experienced field school directors who can gain fresh insights from others’ experiences.
Historic burial grounds serve as poignant landscapes rich in cultural significance, attracting interest from those fascinated by their memorials. This book provides a framework for studying these graveyard monuments, integrating both above-ground memorials and below-ground archaeology to explore themes of death, body disposal, and commemoration. It emphasizes the need for researchers to pose clear questions and contextualize their findings within broader cultural narratives, highlighting the potential of graveyard data to illuminate various aspects of past societies beyond mere death.