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Who is John Strickland Dent?
Who is John Strickland Dent?
I was introduced to archaeology by David Dymond of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in York in the 1950s. Extracting the feet of a Roman citizen from a gritstone coffin under the guidance of George Wilmot was my first hands-on experience of digging in 1961. Other digs followed and I read Archaeology at University College Cardiff, where I graduated in 1971. Starting out in the profession at the age of 20, I was very fortunate to join what was known as the ‘Stead Circus’, working with Ian Stead, Tony Pacitto and John Hinchliffe, although I also spent time in Libya for the Society for Libyan Studies. Gaining in experience and confidence, in 1975 I succeeded Tony Brewster in charge of excavations in Wetwang Slack, a long-running rescue excavation ahead of gravel quarrying in the Yorkshire Wolds. From this I became a Field Officer in the new Humberside Archaeology Unit, where I worked until 1989, when I moved to Scotland to fill the new post of Regional Archaeologist for Borders Regional Council (Scottish Borders Council from 1996) and remained with the authority until my retirement in 2011.
I was introduced to archaeology by David Dymond of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in York in the 1950s. Extracting the feet of a Roman citizen from a gritstone coffin under the guidance of George Wilmot was my first hands-on experience of digging in 1961. Other digs followed and I read Archaeology at University College Cardiff, where I graduated in 1971. Starting out in the profession at the age of 20, I was very fortunate to join what was known as the ‘Stead Circus’, working with Ian Stead, Tony Pacitto and John Hinchliffe, although I also spent time in Libya for the Society for Libyan Studies. Gaining in experience and confidence, in 1975 I succeeded Tony Brewster in charge of excavations in Wetwang Slack, a long-running rescue excavation ahead of gravel quarrying in the Yorkshire Wolds. From this I became a Field Officer in the new Humberside Archaeology Unit, where I worked until 1989, when I moved to Scotland to fill the new post of Regional Archaeologist for Borders Regional Council (Scottish Borders Council from 1996) and remained with the authority until my retirement in 2011.
I have been a founder member of the now Chartered Institute for Archaeologists since 1983 and am a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. My work has involved excavation, aerial photography, survey, illustration, publication and historic environment management. In retirement I continue to publish fieldwork, explore new areas of research and pursue wider interests such as painting and cookery. During this time I have served as a Council Member of the Royal Archaeological Institute (2013-17), a Trustee of Archaeology Scotland (2014-2020) and President of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club (2017).
I have been a founder member of the now Chartered Institute for Archaeologists since 1983 and am a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. My work has involved excavation, aerial photography, survey, illustration, publication and historic environment management. In retirement I continue to publish fieldwork, explore new areas of research and pursue wider interests such as painting and cookery. During this time I have served as a Council Member of the Royal Archaeological Institute (2013-17), a Trustee of Archaeology Scotland (2014-2020) and President of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club (2017).
I am indebted to all my associates who have collaborated with me. Although these are too numerous to list by name here, the person who has provided me with the greatest help, encouragement and unflagging support for more than forty years is my wife Ann, whom I first met ‘in and Iron Age grave’ nearly fifty years ago.
I am indebted to all my associates who have collaborated with me. Although these are too numerous to list by name here, the person who has provided me with the greatest help, encouragement and unflagging support for more than forty years is my wife Ann, whom I first met ‘in and Iron Age grave’ nearly fifty years ago.
- John Dent, BA, MPhil, PhD, MCIfA, FSA, FSA Scot, January 2020
- John Dent, BA, MPhil, PhD, MCIfA, FSA, FSA Scot, January 2020
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