Howard Williams (archaeologist) facts for kids

Howard M. R. Williams (born 1972) is a British archaeologist and university professor. He teaches archaeology at the University of Chester in England. Professor Williams studies how people in Early Medieval Britain (a long time ago!) dealt with death, burials, and remembering the past. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA), which is a special honor for people who study old things.

Howard Williams's Journey in Archaeology

Professor Howard Williams studied archaeology at two universities. He earned his first degree from the University of Sheffield. Later, he went to the University of Reading where he received his master's and PhD degrees.

He has taught archaeology at several places. These include Trinity College Carmarthen, Cardiff University, and the University of Exeter. Since 2008, he has been teaching at the University of Chester.

Exploring Ancient Burials and Memory

Professor Williams's main research looks at the archaeology of Early Medieval Britain. This period is roughly from the 5th to the 11th centuries. He focuses on how people in the past buried their dead. He also studies how they remembered people after they died.

He has written many articles and books about these topics. His work helps us understand ancient burial customs. It also shows how Vikings and landscapes were part of these memories. One of his important books is Death and Memory in Early Medieval Britain (2006).

Discovering Old Borders: Offa's Dyke

In 2017, Professor Williams helped start something called the Offa's Dyke Collaboratory. This group works to encourage new research into Offa's Dyke and Wat's Dyke. These are two very old, long earthworks (like big ditches and mounds) that marked borders in ancient Britain.

The Collaboratory also works with other groups. These include the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust and the Offa's Dyke Association. In 2019, Professor Williams also helped create the Offa's Dyke Journal. This is a free online journal. It shares new findings about the archaeology and history of old borders.

Featured on BBC

In December 2018, Professor Williams appeared in a BBC 4 TV show. The documentary was called Beyond the Walls: In Search of the Celts. This show helped share his knowledge with a wider audience.

Awards and Special Honors

Professor Williams has received special recognition for his work. On February 16, 2006, he became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA). This is a very respected title for people who study old things.

In 2017, he won the Martyn Jope Award. This award is given by the Society for Medieval Archaeology. He won it with his co-author, Patricia Murrieta-Flores. They received it for their "best new interpretation" in the Medieval Archaeology journal that year.