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Roberta Gilchrist

Professor of Archaeology, University of Reading

My research addresses medieval social archaeology, with particular focus on gender and belief. I have published widely on the archaeology of medieval burial and religious communities and I am interested in the relationship between Christianity and medieval magic.

I have also published on archaeological approaches to ageing and the life course in medieval England: 'Medieval Life: Archaeology and the Life Course' (Boydell, 2012).

I was voted 'Archaeologist of the Year 2016' in the Current Archaeology Awards, in which 14,000 members of the public voted.

Glastonbury Abbey:
I have published a major project on Glastonbury Abbey with Dr Cheryl Green, in partnership with the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (2009-13). We fully analysed the archive of antiquarian excavations that took place between 1904 and 1979 (36 seasons). (https://www.reading.ac.uk/archaeology/research/Projects/arch-RG-Glastonbury.aspx)

A website showcases the research and the digital reconstructions completed in partnership with the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture at the University of York: https://www.glastonburyabbeyarchaeology.org

Experience

  • –present
    Professor of Archaeology, University of Reading