The Archaeology of Stonemasonry

Some of the most significant archaeological remains are those of stone buildings from the mediaeval period. Whether it be complete buildings, partial ruins, excavated foundations or architectural fragments – stonework has the potential to reveal a huge amount about how people lived and worked in the past. This talk will take a look at the the practices of stonemasons and how archaeological research can shed light on construction and life in the mediaeval period.

Drawing upon over twenty years of experience as both a conservation stonemason and a buildings archaeologist the speaker, James Wright, will include case studies from surveys of churches, monasteries, cathedrals, hospitals, castles and great houses. He will look in detail at the evidence left on the very stones of buildings by stonemasons and the ways in which archaeologists use recording techniques to gain a deeper understanding of their sites.

To book this lecture for an in-person or online event please do get in contact

Header image credit: Ibex73 / Wikimedia Commons