Dan Snow to head Archaeology Council
Historian Dan Snow is the new President and spokesperson for the Council for British Archaeology, which has numerous international projects, including some in the Levant (eastern Mediterranean).
Historian, broadcaster and television presenter Dan Snow will be the CBA’s frontman for public engagement programmes such as the UK-wide community project recording the physical remains of the First World War and its Home Front, and the annual Festival of Archaeology. He has pledged to support archaeology during these challenging times, when widespread cuts to archaeology, heritage and museum services are creating black holes in planning protection and putting our archaeological heritage at risk across the UK.
He will be working with the CBA’s team to appeal to the voluntary community and the wider public to encourage participation in archaeology and appreciation of the role they can play in helping to preserve and celebrate our past. Mobilising the huge public support for archaeology is a key role for the CBA in the coming years.
This year’s Beatrice de Cardi lecture, which follows the CBA’s AGM, will be given by renowned historian Michael Wood, on his experiences of working with local communities through the Leicestershire based Kibworth Project.
Dr Mike Heyworth, Director of the CBA comments: “In these tough times it becomes more important than ever for the voice of those who want to defend and preserve our heritage to be heard. We are therefore delighted that we can add the powerful voice of broadcaster Dan Snow to our own as he takes up the position of president and spokesperson for the council. He will bring energy and enthusiasm to our work in support of our archaeological heritage””
Dan Snow comments: “The CBA does great work in getting people into history in a hands-on and engaging way. We have some serious challenges ahead of us and in this role I intend to make the UK sit up and take notice of the threat to our heritage which is growing every day – and get more active in its defence.”
‘The History Guy’ Dan Snow takes an active role in engaging the public in the past, and is particularly fascinated by conflict archaeology, working with his father, Peter Snow, on the BBC 2 series and book 20th Century Battlefields and currently one of the presenters of the popular BBC 2 series Dig WW2. Dan has a first class honours degree in modern history from Balliol College, Oxford and military history is his passion. He is an Honorary Colonel of the Territorial Army. He is particularly looking forward to spearheading the Physical Legacies of the First World War and its Home Front project.
Dan has worked with the CBA before, supporting the Young Archaeologists Club some years ago by descending into a Roman sewer under the streets of York during the Festival of Archaeology.
For almost 70 years the Council for British Archaeology, as an educational charity, has been promoting archaeology for all and is regarded as the leading voice for the public interest in archaeology. Active both in Westminster and with grassroots community groups, the CBA works with the voluntary sector to safeguard the UK’s historic environment and make the case to decision makers that archaeology matters.
A report published by English Heritage, The Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers and the Institute of Historic Building Conservation pinpoints a 33% reduction in building conservation advice in last 7 years threatening the framework of expertise and planning protection by creating black holes in planning protection across the UK. The number of archaeological specialists has fallen by 3% in the past year alone.
To read the full report: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/fifth-report-la-staff-resources/5th-rep-LAStaff.pdf
New research planned: http://www.profilingtheprofession.co.uk/
To join the CBA, visit www.archaeologyuk.org/join
About the Beatrice de Cardi Lecture
Beatrice de Cardi was first Assistant Secretary and latterly Secretary of the Council for British Archaeology from 1949 to 1973. In order to recognise her outstanding contribution to the CBA and to archaeology generally, the Council decided in 1976 to inaugurate a series of lectures, to be called after her. The speakers are given the freedom to discuss their own approach to any aspect of British archaeology.
