SIAH winter lecture series 2020–21
The talks held via Zoom. If you are already taking part in the SIAH Zoom discussions then we will have your contact email address and you will be sent the link to join the meetings.
If you are new to Zoom and would like to hear the talks, just send your email address to
2021 AGM will be Saturday 24th April.
13th February 2021 at 1400 - Stuart Boulter and Simon Picard, Cotswold Archaeology, Suffolk, Recent excavations at Flixton Park quarry
Excavation work continues on this longstanding project, which has produced a remarkable range of archaeological periods and feature types represented in the surface archaeology. There have been significant discoveries with sites dating from the Paleolithic to the Post-Medieval, an outline of which will be discussed in today’s talk.
13th March 2021 at 1400 Dr Nicholas Amor, Chair SIAH, Keeping the peace in medieval Suffolk
A study of the county’s 14th-century archives suggests that the fear of crime was greater than the reality. This talk considers the actual levels of crime, and the rise of justices of the peace who were appointed to keep law and order, and their role in determining the shape of Suffolk society. It is anticipated that the publication of his book, of the same title, will coincide with this talk.
9th January 2021 - John Day, East Anglian Traditional Art Centre: Celebrating the anniversaries of of East Anglian artists
The year 2021 makes the Bicentenary of the death of John Crome of Norwich, the artist who inspired the Norwich School of Painters, and also George Frost, the Ipswich sketcher who knew John Constable. John Day of the East Anglian Traditional Art Centre will discuss the region’s artists, how they have influenced his life and how they inspired him to establish the Centre.
12th December 2020 - Dr Martin Bridge, Institute of Archaeology,: An introduction to the application of dendrochronology, with particular reference to Suffolk.
Dr Bridge will explore the application of dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) to buildings and artefacts, e.g. church chests, of special relevance to Suffolk. Rapid progress with the technique has been made in recent years, and as more work is done the success rate increases. The possibilities and limitations are described along with some prospects for new related dating methods.
14th November 2020 – Sarah Doig, Local History Researcher, – Basil Brown of Rickinghall: beyond Sutton Hoo.
This talk explores beyond the usual portrayal of Basil Brown as an eccentric, self-taught Suffolk boy. Sarah Doig will shine a light on this native of Rickinghall, identifying those who influenced the young Basil, examining his motivations and local discoveries, whilst reflecting his boundless energy for enthusing others. Drawing on his own words along with recollections from local residents and fellow-workers, a more complete image emerges of this renowned archaeologist.
