Four decades of "heroic" archaeology comes to a close
Posted on 11 November 2004
The excavation at Wharram Percy revolutionised understanding of the medieval and post-medieval landscape.
Now a final chapter in a "tale of heroic archaeology" has been marked by the University of York, whose Department of Archaeology played a key role in the excavation.
People who worked at Wharram gathered at the University's King's Manor to mark the publication of the ninth report on the archaeological dig by Philip Rahtz and Lorna Watts. Professor Rahtz, who founded the University's Department of Archaeology in 1979 and was its first head, involved students in the dig at Wharram Percy as part of their training.
At the ceremony, attended by many of the archaeologists who worked at the site between 1950 and 1990, he launched the book with fellow octogenarian, medieval historian Professor Maurice Beresford, who was among the first to recognise the importance of Wharram Percy.
The North Manor Area and North-West Enclosure is the final piece of research literature on Wharram to be published by Professor Rahtz and has been produced with the backing of English Heritage.
Wharram is now one of the key archaeological sites in England
Professor Philip Rahtz
Professor Beresford and the late John Hurst initiated the dig and, under Professor Rahtz's guidance, the University's Department of Archaeology played a leading role in the excavation of the site and the analysis of finds.
The archaeologists pinpointed the layout of the village which, with the mainly personal and household items they unearthed, gave a unique picture of medieval village life. Even today, 14 years after the excavation finished, first year students undertake fieldwalking and geophysical surveys in the Wharram area.
Professor Rahtz said: "Wharram is now one of the key archaeological sites in England and as such is recognised throughout the archaeological world."
The current head of department Jane Grenville said: "It was a wonderful tale of heroic archaeology. People gave up their free time each summer to help and many archaeological careers were launched at Wharram."
But though this is the end of the story for Philip Rahtz and the University's excavations at Wharram, a further three reports on sites excavated by other archaeologists are still in preparation.
Notes to editors:
- Pictures are available. Please contact David Garner in the University of York Communications Office on 01904 433954.