Discovering the Secrets of Britain’s Ancient Buildings
The Buildings Archaeologist is the new book by James Wright which will be published by The History Press during the summer of 2026. A nationwide book tour is planned to follow.
More about The Buildings Archaeologist
Visit any settlement in the land and there will be ancient buildings hidden in plain sight. Behind a Victorian façade is a Tudor house. Underneath a Georgian frontage is a mediaeval cottage. What is now a modern farm may once have been a castle. We know relatively little about the ancient buildings that surround us, yet buildings archaeology can offer us so many clues for discovering the secrets of hidden historic houses.
This book looks at the ways in which ancient buildings have been studied and conserved, the puzzling ways that some buildings became listed whereas others were overlooked, and how we can really understand the age and development of a structure. With over a quarter of a century of field experience, James Wright uses case studies drawn from his career to explain the fascinating, enigmatic, and surprising world of The Buildings Archaeologist.
Book Tour
There will be a nationwide book tour to publicise The Buildings Archaeologist. Each event will usually consist of a talk lasting 60 minutes, a Q&A session, and the opportunity to pick up a signed copy of the book.
If you would like to book a show, please get in contact with us to discuss.
Recommendations for previous writing
‘Historic buildings themselves emerge as a living and breathing means of understanding our environment, our ancestors and, indeed, ourselves.’
~ Alex Woodcock (master stonemason and author of King of Dust)
‘Proves his talent for this kind of detective work’
~Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse, (Fake History Hunter, author of Fake History: 101 Things that Never Happened)
‘Entertaining and informed’
~ Matthew Champion (archaeologist and author of Medieval Graffiti)
‘Thoroughly entertaining and informative’
~ Sharon Bennett Connolly (historian and author of Heroines of the Medieval World)
‘Learned, witty, personable and captivating’
~ Duncan McKay (archaeologist and author of Echolands)
‘We need more of this kind of study if we are to reach new audiences to help us care for our built heritage – and inspire the next generation of historic building specialists.’
~ Kate Giles, Current Archaeology
