Glastonbury Abbey: Archaeological Archive Project

Glastonbury Abbey is crucial to understanding British monasticism, and through its links with the Arthurian legends, it holds a special place in English popular culture. The site was purchased by the Church of England in 1907, and thirty-four seasons of excavation took place in the years 1908 to 1979 - but the results have remained unpublished. A project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (2009-2012) is analysing the archive of excavations that were undertaken by iconic figures in the history of medieval archaeology: St John Hope (1904), Bligh Bond (1908 - 1921), Peers and Clapham (1928 - 1939) and Ralegh Radford (1951 - 1964).The project is a joint venture between the department of Archaeology at the University of Reading and the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey. The research is being undertaken by Professor Roberta Gilchrist and Dr Cheryl Allum (Reading), working closely with Janet Bell (Curator of the Glastonbury Abbey Museum) and Dr John Allan (Archaeologist to Glastonbury Abbey). The results of the study will also inform a strategy of revised site interpretation and display, which is the subject of a doctoral research project currently being undertaken by Rhi Smith (funded by an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Studentship, in association with the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey).