‘Putting the archaeology back into the antiquarian’
Gail Boyle SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Regions:
- Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Monmouthshire, Newport
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Freelance
- Fee:
- Paid: £70 plus mileage @40p per mile
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 1st March 2025
- Tagged:
- Archaeology | Museum | Collecting | Research
What motivates one individual to make a collection of over 7500 objects? Museum archaeology collections usually comprise three broad categories: excavation archives, chance finds and antiquarian collections. This talk explores the method, the make-up and the motivation behind one person’s creation of an amazing antiquarian collection known as the ‘Dr HA Fawcett Collection of Typology.’ The Fawcett Collection was purchased by Bristol Museum in 1980 and consists of 7,514 items mainly of bronze and stone that date from the Palaeolithic to the early Saxon period. Fawcett's interest lay in the objects rather than the archaeological contexts from which they came. This collecting activity began during World War I when serving abroad and where he also did some “hasty” and limited excavations, but most of his collecting was conducted via sale rooms, curio shops, dealers, workmen, friends and fellow collectors. As well as introducing the collection and its fabulous array of objects, the talk will introduce the speaker's recent research into the paperwork that Fawcett kept, and how this has revealed some quite amazing object histories.
Views: 29 | Enquiries: 0About Gail Boyle
Until recently I was Senior Curator of Archaeology & World Cultures with Bristol Museums, and with a career as a museum archaeologist spanning more than 40 years I have played and continue to play a leading role in promoting sector-wide professional development, standards, and practice. I am an accomplished public speaker and published author and my contribution to the sector is recognised by my Fellowship of the Museums Association and by my peers as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. I am Chair of the Council for British Archaeology’s Board of Trustees and Chair of Trustees for the Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society. I am also former Chair and current committee member of the Society for Museum Archaeology and amongst others sit on the DCMS Treasure Valuation Committee, the Portable Antiquities Advisory Group and Historic England’s Future of Archaeological Archives Project panel. Aside from this I am Chair of our parish council and Avon Local Council's Association and have expertise in the planning process.
I have been delivering talks to a wide variety of audiences for many years in multiple different settings from academia to schools, the WI, U3A and even in local prisons.
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