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 on Thursday 8 October 2026. A nationwide book tour is planned to follow.
More about The Buildings Archaeologist
Why do we know so little about the ancient buildings which surround our everyday lives?
Britain can be justifiably proud of approximately 500,000 listed buildings. Yet as many as 60% may have been identified incorrectly. Behind a Victorian façade is a Tudor house. Underneath a Georgian frontage is a mediaeval cottage. What is now a farm was once a castle. Many buildings, hundreds of years old, are entirely unlisted.
How can a nation, so obsessed with history, have missed so many ancient buildings?
The Buildings Archaeologist is the first book in over a quarter of a century which offers clues for discovering the secrets of Britain’s ancient buildings. It looks at the ways in which historic architecture has been observed, studied, and conserved. The puzzles surrounding why some buildings were listed and others overlooked will be solved. It acts as a field guide to the written records, tree-ring dating, and archaeology which help us to investigate the age, development, and social history of ancient buildings. These include houses, castles, churches, mills, factories, and warehouses hidden in plain sight.
With over a quarter of a century of field experience, James Wright explains the fascinating, enigmatic, and surprising world of The Buildings Archaeologist.
How to order The Buildings Archaeologist
The book is now available to pre-order via the following retailers:
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 speaker fees and associated travel logistics.
Reviews
‘With his considerable expertise, James Wright takes readers on a journey through Britain’s historic buildings, looking first at the often slow moving attempts to preserve and celebrate them. Sometimes broad in scope and at other times very specific, in The Buildings Archaeologist we learn about techniques used to date, survey and preserve buildings, as well as case studies of surviving houses and other structures. There are fascinating details too of Wright’s life and career, taking readers into the heart of work to preserve Britain’s built environment. Wright’s experience, commitment and expertise shines through in a book that is not to be missed. ‘
~ Elizabeth Norton, mediaeval and Tudor historian
‘James Wright has finally written the book I needed 8 years ago! This is the book I wish I’d had when I started my training as a heritage mason and the book I’m now glad to have as a keen buildings archeologist. James makes the field of buildings archaeology accessable and engaging for both beginners and experts, a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish.’
~ Rachael Wragg, stonemason and broadcaster
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.’
~ Current Archaeology
