Peter Addyman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Addyman
CBE FSA
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Peter Addyman in July 2018
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| Born | 12 July 1939 Harrogate, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Occupation | Archaeologist |
| Known for | Founding Director of the York Archaeological Trust |
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| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Queen's University Belfast University of Southampton |
Peter Vincent Addyman, often called P. V. Addyman, is a famous British archaeologist. He was born on July 12, 1939. From 1972 to 2002, he led the York Archaeological Trust. This organization helps discover and protect ancient sites in York.
Peter Addyman studied archaeology at Cambridge University. He also taught at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Southampton. He led many important digs during this time. In 1972, he helped start the York Archaeological Trust. He became its first director. He helped create the Jorvik Viking Centre, the Archaeological Resource Centre, and Barley Hall. These places teach people about York's history. In 2000, he received a special award, becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
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Early Life and Education
Peter Vincent Addyman was born on July 12, 1939. He grew up in Harrogate, which is now in North Yorkshire, England. As a child, he loved helping with digs at the York Museum Gardens. He would dig holes and sift through dirt to find old objects.
He went to Sedbergh School and Norwood College. While at Norwood, he and his friends found a medieval village near Sedbergh. They even wrote a report about their discovery. After college, Addyman went to Peterhouse at Cambridge University. He earned a degree in archaeology there. In 1960, he directed his first excavation in Maxey, Cambridgeshire.
Archaeology Career
After finishing his studies at Cambridge, Peter Addyman began teaching. From 1962 to 1967, he was an assistant lecturer and then a lecturer at Queen's University Belfast. He then taught at the University of Southampton from 1967 to 1972. During these years, he also led many archaeological digs. These included excavations at Lydford, Ludgershall Castle, and Chalton.
Leading the York Archaeological Trust
In 1971, Peter Addyman was asked to study how a new road might affect the city of York. His report suggested that York should create a special archaeology group. He believed this group could help with digs and also teach people about history.
Money was found for this new group, and Addyman was asked to lead it. From 1972 to 2002, he was the director of the York Archaeological Trust. During his time there, he managed many important digs in York. He also helped create popular attractions like the Jorvik Viking Centre. This center lets visitors experience what Viking York was like. He also helped develop the Archaeological Resource Centre and Barley Hall.
The Trust, under Addyman's leadership, published over 60 books about York's archaeology. They also added thousands of ancient items to their collection. A very famous discovery was the Coppergate helmet. This Anglo-Saxon helmet was found during excavations between 1976 and 1981. These digs happened before the Coppergate Shopping Centre was built.
Retirement and Continued Work
Peter Addyman retired from the York Archaeological Trust on September 30, 2002. This was exactly 30 years after he first took charge. He said that archaeologists "retire to do archaeology."
Even after retiring, he continued to be very active. He has been the chairman of the Malton Museum Foundation since 2012. He is also the president of the York Civic Trust. Since 2007, he has been a director at Continuum Group Ltd.
Addyman has also served many other organizations. He was the vice-president and later president of the Council for British Archaeology. He also held leadership roles in groups like the Royal Archaeological Institute and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. He was a member of English Heritage, which protects historic places. He also served as president of the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society and the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.
In 1998, he became an honorary professor at both the University of Bradford and the University of York. Both universities had also given him honorary degrees earlier.
Awards and Recognition
Peter Addyman has received many honors for his work. In 2000, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award recognized his great service to archaeology. In 2004, he was made a Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
He is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London (FSA). He was elected to this position in 1967. In 2015, he received the President's Medal from the British Academy.
In 2008, Peter Addyman was named an Honorary Freeman of the city of York. This special award is given to people who have served York with great distinction. As an Honorary Freeman, he received a special scroll. He also gained the old right to drive three sheep or other animals over the historic Ouse Bridge. He can also graze three animals on Knavesmire in the city. He joked that he expected to use these rights very soon!
Sackler Lectures
In 2012, Raymond and Beverly Sackler started a series of lectures. These lectures honor Norman Hammond, another archaeologist. They are held every year at Peterhouse, Cambridge.
On November 4, 2015, Peter Addyman gave the first of these special lectures. His talk was called "Creating Heritage: Vikings, Jorvik and Public Interest archaeology." He spoke about how places like the Jorvik Viking Centre help people learn about history.
Personal Life
In 1965, Peter Addyman married Shelton "Shelly" Oliver. They met while he was digging at an Anglo-Saxon village in Devon. She was a student from Atlanta, Georgia. Shelly Addyman passed away on November 25, 2016. Peter Addyman has a son and a daughter.
