British Archaeology’s Mike Pitts examines who dug up our past, on BBC Radio 4
Archaeologist and broadcaster Mike Pitts delves into hot archaeological topics: metal detecting and how different archaeologists reach different conclusions of the same site. Plus Sutton Hoo archives.
In Pursuit of Treasure
Sunday 7 Feb, 13:30
Archaeologist and broadcaster Mike Pitts delves into the sometimes murky world of the metal detector, from harmless amateur history buffs to criminal nighthawkers, and discovers how metal detecting is changing our national heritage. He hears stories of in-fighting within the metal detecting community, bust-ups between landowners and detectorists and battles inside the archaeological establishment. Mike hears from the man who found a multi-million pound Saxon hoard.
The Voices Who Dug Up The Past
Episode 1, Monday 8 Feb, 11:00
In this programme, Mike Pitts delves into the question of why different archaeologists can dig the same sites yet reach completely different conclusions. Mike visits Britain’s biggest Iron Age hill fort, Maiden Castle, and, through archive, diary excerpts and interviews, relives two seminal digs that took place there in the 1930s and 1980s. Is it a monument tied up in Roman warfare and invasion, or a structure symbolising power and exclusion from the outside world? Featuring interviews with Niall Sharples, Beatrice de Cardi, Ian Armit and Chris Sparey-Green.
Episode 2, Monday 15 Feb, 11:00 on BBC Radio 4
This episode is to visit Sutton Hoo, with interviews from Lady Clark (who visited the 1939 dig), and project director Martin Carver.
Mike Pitts is editor of British Archaeology, the CBA’s flagship magazine. It comes out six times a year, and its 68 pages are packed with news, features, reviews, gossip and opinion. Written by archaeologists and historians with an eye on the present and something to say about the past, it is the largest, brightest, most forward-looking and talked about UK archaeology magazine ever published. CBA members receive British Archaeology as part of their membership package. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the magazine on its own.
