David Petts

I am Lecturer in the Archaeology of Northern England and I convene the Department’s North-East England Research Group. My key role is to develop the Department’s research profile within the region. This involves developing new research projects and maximising the research potential of fieldwork carried out by Archaeological Services in previous years.

My main research interests focus on the social archaeology of the 1st millennium AD, with a particular focus on the development of Christianity. Whilst most of my current work is focused on the north of England, I have significant research interests in Wales, as well as the wider North Sea world. In addition to my work on Northern England, I recently completed books on the early medieval church in Wales and a more theoretical consideration of the process of conversion in the early medieval world. I am also working on a project exploring the development and spread of Christianity in Western Normandy between AD400 and 1200. This draws on archaeological material, as well as the investigation of standing buildings and the exploration of the limited documentary record.

Other key interests include the archaeology of post-medieval Britain, the history of archaeology, archaeology and 'Englishness', cultural and historic landscapes and issues linked to the curation and protection of Britain's historic environment.