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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Fieldschool 2026 has started! This year we're excavating a Roman villa near Halberton, Devon. It's part of the bigger SHARE project, partly funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Students in orange high vis towelling back in a trench. Beyond are trees, cars and a tent

Wide view of a very large trench scattered with students, yellow buckets, tools

A lot of mattocks, shovels and spares lent up against a grey container

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

We're hugely pleased that the archaeology side of our department has been ranked 34th in the QS World University Rankings! These prestigious annual rankings assess global university performance based on research, teaching, employability, and internationalisation.

Recognising the strenght of our teaching and research across archaeology, heritage science and forensics

"This ranking reflects the reach and impact of our transdisciplinary approach" Prof Naomi Sykes, Head of Archaeology and History

Transforming knowledge about past cultures and their environmental impact

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

This display, created for the @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social International Women's Day event on Monday, was made by students Jo, Lilian & Georgie. It focuses on the achievements of Lady Aileen Fox, lecturer here 1947-71, who was instrumental in founding the teaching of archaeology @exeter.ac.uk.

Photo of a table with old OS maps and finds (e.g. rocks, flint, pottery) in boxes with labels, and some books. On a display board behind is a timeline of Lady Aileen Fox's life and a poster entitled 'pioneering Exeter archaeologist' with a large black and white photo of her.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

The event will be hybrid, with both in-person attendance and a Zoom option. Please register via the SAL website: it is required to join online. You can catch the livestream on the SAL YouTube channel with no registration needed. 🍽️ Catering will be available afterwards, so stay and mingle!

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Discover the ancient art of tattooing! On Thursday, 12 Feb (12:35 - 13:55 GMT), join us online for a seminar with Dr Aaron Deter-Wolf from the Tennessee Division of Archaeology. Dive into 5,000 years of tattoo traditions from North America, Europe, and the Andean Pacific coast.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

This time last week we held a CBM (Ceramic Building Material) workshop, training keen students how to identify and record Roman tiles! This collection is from an important site in the centre of Exeter. They all know their imbrex from their tegula now! Huge thanks to Naomi Payne for leading the day.

Two students and Naomi smile for the camera while holding up tile fragments.

Students and a lecturer (Sue) talking about tiles

A group of students, all smiling, post while looking at tiles. In front of them are some callipers.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

The Exeter Live Podcast is launching! With free entry for both students and staff, hear live discussions and get to know the History Department better. Tickets are not needed for this event. Find out more here: fixr.co/event/the-re...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Our first archaeology research seminar of 2026 is a cracker! On Thursday 15 Jan at 12.35pm, Dr Emma Stockley of @archanchistleic.bsky.social will be coming to talk to us about prehistoric lithic landscapes on Dartmoor. In preson and online, all welcome!

Poster image for event. Full title is: Predicting and protecting lithic landscapes: exploring lithic scatter distribution across Dartmoor. Ther eis a photo of a test pit excavation on a misty boggy hillside, where people are kneeling down excavating and Emma is holding GNSS survey kit.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Join our PGTs for their annual conference! 📢 Researching the past 📅 Thursday 11 December 9.30-4.30 📍 Talks in Streatham Court LTC and posters displayed in Marchant Syndicate Room A in Building One Do come along to support our students and socialise ❤️

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

We're very excited that our next research seminar will be given by Dr Lee Bray of Dartmoor National Park, giving us an update on the fascinating Cut Hill Bronze Age cist excavation. Thursday 4 Dec, 12.30pm. DM us for the Teams link if you'd like to join!

Post for event 'Recent work on Cut Hill, Dartmoor'. The photograph show a small excavation trench with scale rods, cut into dark peaty soil. Several capstones of the cist can be seen.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Great news! Our AHRC-funded Warhorse book has been nominated as Book of the Year in the 2026 Current Archaeology Awards. Prof Oliver Creighton's 'From Bayeux to Bosham' project is also up for Project of the Year! Voting is open at www.archaeology.co.uk/vote

Current Archaeology Awards, Nomainated 2026 Book of the Year: Medieval Warhorse: Equestrian Landscapes, Material Culture, and Zooarchaeology in Britain, AD 800-1550

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

There was a great turnout yesterday to Prof Alex Pryor's (birthday) talk on 'Hunters of Giants: How to kill an Upper Palaeolithic mammoth, revealed by stable isotopes and DNA'. This was part of our Centre for Human-Animal-Environment Bioarchaeology (HumAnE) series of events, to which all welcome!

Classroom full of students listening to Alex talk. He is pointing at a slide with various images.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

On 18 November we organised an Employability Event attended by over 70 Undergraduate and Postgraduates from across the HASS Faculty. The panellists provided advice, guidance and perspectives on how they had utilised archaeology and history degrees in their careers. Many thanks to the panel!

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

History in the spotlight! On 12 Nov, a moving premiere of 'Albert Figg & the Battle for Hill 112' showed the courage and sacrifice of 7,000 men in one of WWII's bloodiest battles. Hosted by Prof Richard Follett & Rear Admiral Chris Snow CBE DL, showing the resilience of those West Country regiments

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Next up in our archaeology seminar series is a talk by Dr Duncan Wright from Newcastle University on how medieval aristocracy established their authority through lordly centres. All welcome! Thursday 20 November, 12.30pm. Online - Teams meeting details on image.

Slide/poster for event. Title is 'Where power lies: the origins of England's earliest lordly centres'. The image is an aerial photo showing a rural area, with a church with a spire and an excavation trench in a field.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

🔥Hot off the press: Extensive dog diversity existed thousands of years before humans began selective breeding 🐩 “These results highlight the deep history of our relationship with dogs,” said Dr Carly Ameen “Diversity among dogs is a legacy of thousands of years of coevolution with human societies”

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Join us for the Movember Special History Talk! 🧔To Beard or Not to Beard: The History of Facial Hair in Britain 1650-1900 with Dr Alun Withey 📅 Wednesday 19 November 🕰️ Doors open at 6pm, start at 18:15 🎫 fixr.co/event/movemb...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

📚 News from the world of peace and economic history ☮️ Dr Marc-William Palen’s Pax 'Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World' has just received the Elise M. Boulding Prize in Peace History🏆 for groundbreaking work that rethinks how free trade once carried hopes for ending empire and war🌍

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

🐾 Explore 'Do Not Feed the Animals?' where science meets art to reveal the surprising stories behind why we feed animals, from home to zoo. Experience vibrant artworks, hands-on research and reflect on your own animal encounters!🦉 📍Queens Building, Streatham campus 📆Until 12 December, all welcome

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Last week some of our first year students got to head out into Dartmoor and see some archaeology. They visited Merrivale, and also Lydford Saxon earthworks and castle/prison and were very glad the rain held off!

A group of students stand on a moor, with Ollie pointing things out to them

A group of student pose around a prehistoric cairn, in sunshine

Students on an earthwork slope with a church tower in the background

Lydford Castle, with Ollie speaking to all the students.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

🌿🔍 From ancient soils to modern crime scenes, we are connecting the past and present in surprising new ways! See how forensic ecology is stepping into the spotlight => news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Dr Todd Gray MBE, local historian and honorary appointment in our department, has brought together stories of Devon life during the Second World War, after years of painstaking research🔍 📖 New book: news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Days 2 and 3 of our Experimental Archaeology fieldtrip to the Ancient Technology Centre saw our students preparing cow hides to make leather, thatching, wooden spoon and bowl making with expert Martin Hazell, chalk cob wall building and flint knapping! Rounded off with a Viking style historic meal 😀

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Our Masters students taking a module in Experimental Archaeology visited Stonehenge yesterday to learn about reconstructed Neolithic houses and a new project to build a large Neolithic education building, based on timber structure Durrington 68 😍 Also starring Ed's Late Neolithic decorated hard hat👷

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Are you around London this Monday (27 Oct)? Do come and say hello 👋 to Laura Evis and Hajnalka Herold at the University Archaeology day! Lots of interesting stuff to see and hear, all welcome 😊 🎫 Tickets www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/10-... 👉 Livestream bournemouth-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Yesterday, Prof. Stephen Rippon was invited to London to be presented the prestigious British Academy Landscape Archaeology Medal, awarded for distinguished achievement in that field of archaeology. Many congratulations on this much deserved honour!

Photo of the medal - which reads British Academy John Coles Medal - Landscape Archaeology

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Are you considering a PhD? 🤔 Join our 'Masterclass - PhD proposal and funding 101' 📅Wednesday 3 December 🕰️ 10am or 4pm 📍ZOOM All welcome! 🎫 Book your *free* ticket: • 10am: fixr.co/event/master... • 4pm: fixr.co/event/master...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Come and see the house at St Nicholas Priory, Exeter brought to life in 1602, exploring a 'New history of women's work'. Sunday 26th October 11am - 3pm Historical research by Jane Whittle, Mark Hailwood, Hannah Robb and Taylor Aucoin.

A scene of a historic kitchen, where two women, dressed in 17th century clothes, prepare food.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

The West country premiere of award-winning documentary film 📽️ A CANTERBURY TALE Albert Figg and the Battle for Hill 112 🪖 followed by Q&A 🎤 📅Wednesday 12 Nov 19.15 📍Exeter Alumni Auditorium, Forum 🎫 www.thehill112.com/a_canterbury... £10 Suggested donation* * Students free: fixr.co/event/a-cant...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

🛰️ Ancient hunters left their mark - and it’s only now visible from space! Satellite images show vast South American 'desert kites' once used to trap game across the Andes. A glimpse into how past societies shaped whole landscapes for survival 🏜️🐾 Read more here 👉 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Last week most archaeology staff were retrained in First Aid skills, keeping us updated for another three years. Sadly many injuries were sustained during the session!

A group of seven people standing in a meeting room sporting a variety of bandages on heads, knees, elbows etc. They are still smiling though!

Another group of nine bandaged individuals, all looking very happy to be injured.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Join us at the *free* FUTURES Festival (11–12 Oct Exeter) for inspiring events celebrating history, archaeology, science & culture! With @lsangha.bsky.social and Chris Hoban live music based on stories from 16-18th century wills🎵 and Laura Evis in the SHArD 3D Lab news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Has Halloween come early? No, last week some of our 3rd year archaeology and forensics students carried out a crime scene recovery exercise in our woodland on campus.

A woodland setting with trees in the background. A line of police tape is strung across the foreground, and a skeleton and rope can be seen beyond.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Step back to 1086 and explore the fascinating world behind the oldest surviving Domesday manuscript!📜 Dr Chris Lewis speaks on the mysteries, gaps and stories of Exon Domesday. 👉 When: 30 October 7:30pm 👉 Where: Exeter Cathedral and online 👉 Tickets: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on/eve...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

💎Do you know about the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum on Streatham Campus? They have a really cool exhibition* on that celebrates cinema’s monstrous icons 🦖🐉👾 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h... *free entry daily, on until Christmas

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

A piece of one of Britain’s most iconic trees is now revealing hidden stories🌳 Adrián Oyaneder Rodriguez and Julia Hopkin are using cutting-edge experimental techniques to uncover new insights from the felled Sycamore Gap tree. 👉 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

When a historian swaps dusty archives for TikTok tricks 🎬🧐Dr Alun Withey stepped out of the lecture theatre and into the world of influencers in a brand-new BBC Radio 4 series 🎙✨ How did he fare? Curious to see how history goes viral? 👉 Read more here news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

How do psychiatry and world history collide? 🧠🌍 Dr Chris Sandal-Wilson just received a €1.5m ERC grant to explore how mental health and humanitarianism shaped lives during some of the twentieth century’s greatest crises. 👉 Read the full story here: news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

🔎A forgotten household object, a spark of curiosity… and suddenly we’ve got fresh insight into queer domestic life in the Georgian era 🌈 Historian and actor Dr Anthony Delaney completed his PhD in 2022 and has now published his book 'Queer Georgians' Read more 👉 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Devon Archaeology Society are leading guided walks exploring Exeter's amazing city walls on 20 Sep! 11am-4pm, meet at South Gate or East Gate (Princesshay) to start, regular tours. Part of #HeritageOpenDays - free and pre-booking not required.

Photo of a tall stone wall, with green grass and a pathway running alongside it.

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Update from our team in Poland, excavating at Jaskinia Nietoperzowa! Finds so far include cave bear teeth & bones from a range of other animals, plus pottery & Neolithic flints. The main chamber was used by cave bears during winter hibernations but was also visited by Upper Palaeolithic humans.

Four students at work excavating at the entrance to a cave. They are wearing blue hard hats.

Same team, looking the other way out to the cave entrance, with green trees beyond. A total station is set up on a tripod nearby.

A view of Trench 1, in the main cave chamber. A model of a bear is visible to the right!

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Did you know that in some 18th-century Devon communities, up to a quarter of all children were bound as pauper apprentices? Dr James Fisher’s research looks at the realities of forced child labour in early modern Britain. Open access articles: - doi.org/10.1017/S026... - doi.org/10.1017/S026...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Some of our 2nd year students are currently working with Dr Alex Pryor and Dr Jarek Wilczyński at Nietoperzowa Cave in Poland. They're spending four weeks excavating early Upper Palaeolithic layers previously made famous for finds of Jerzmanowician lithic points and human remains!

Students and staff working to excavate within a cave, lit by a large light. They are wearing hard hats and gloves, and there are buckets lined with bags for samples.

A top-down view of three people washing finds in coloured buckets and laying them out on trays

A student sieves in the daylight outside the cave entrance

Someone is looking through a total station towards a group of people, all in dappled shade

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Another great story ❤️ from the Alumni magazine: Dan & Emma Richter fell in love over History 🤩 We got together in 2000 and were married in 2002. We have been married 22 years, and have four children, two dogs, six chickens and about 26,000 bees publications.exeter.ac.uk/alumni-magaz...

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Finding the stories behind centuries-old wills 📜✨ Dr Laura Sangha and her team are analysing 25,000 English wills (1540–1790) to uncover how everyday objects - beds, teapots, jewellery, even livestock - shaped lives and relationships in a time of economic transformation 👉 @lsangha.bsky.social

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

One of our about to be 2nd years students Mathu-Andrew "Magnus" Budge is finalist in the 🏆 YMCA Youth Matters Awards🥳 After experiencing homelessness, Magnus arrived at YMCA Exeter in 2023 and began rebuilding his life. He continues to give back volunteering weekly 👉Vote now ymca.org.uk/finalists/

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

14–18 years old and love history? Exclusive, hands-on sessions in Exeter Cathedral’s Archives this August 📜 🔎 Explore the Tudors & Elizabethans (13 Aug) 🌍 Uncover stories from the World Wars (20 Aug) Both sessions: 2-4pm | Just £5 | Limited spaces! Book 📨 ella.barber@exeter-cathedral.org.uk

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Ever wondered how travellers from the past felt every bump, jolt and thrill of the journey? 🛤️🚶Dr Alun Withey’s research looks at the embodied realities of travel between 1650 and 1900, exploring how people sensed, described and coped with motion, discomfort, and danger🌍✋ 👉 tiktok.com/@dralunwithey

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Such a lovely story this 😍 Jan Oke is an Exeter Archaeology alumnus and Fairlynch Museum’s Curator of Archaeology. She is a former recipient of the Angela and Tony Colmer prize 🏆 herself and was part of the team who awarded it to Phoebe Holland today ♻️ for outstanding Fieldwork in Local Archaeology👇

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University of Exeter Archaeology and History Department @uoearchhist.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Celebrating a major achievement for our department! 🎉 Dr Eve Worth has been appointed to the DWP’s Methods Advisory Group, bringing her expertise in modern British social history to influence national policy. Demonstrating how our research shapes society! 🏛️📚 👉 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-h...

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