In this special year-end episode of Careers in Ruins , we are thrilled to welcome Jacqueline McKinley, a trailblazer in osteoarchaeology. Jacqueline takes us on a journey through her remarkable career, from being inspired by Magnus Magnusson’s iconic documentary on Skara Brae to becoming one of the first self-proclaimed osteoarchaeologists. With her characteristic wit and passion, Jacqueline delves into her love for burial practices and cremations, exploring what these rituals reveal about past ...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 63
In this episode of Career in Ruins , Lawrence and Derek kick things off with some lighthearted chatter about the buzz surrounding Gladiator 2 —what might Ridley Scott have in store for fans of ancient drama and epic storytelling? Then, we’re joined by the incredible Professor Henry Chapman, a landscape archaeologist whose expertise spans GIS, ancient landscapes, and the unique environments of bogs. Together, we explore: How GIS has revolutionized our understanding of historic landscapes. The hid...
Dec 07, 2024•54 min•Ep. 62
In this episode, hosts Lawrence Shaw and Derek Pitman sit down with Professor Mike Parker Pearson to delve into a career that has shaped the field of archaeology on multiple fronts. The conversation begins with reflections on the late Lord Colin Renfrew, a transformative figure in archaeology and Mike's former lecturer, whose recent passing adds a poignant note to the discussion. Mike provides unique insights into the evolution of the discipline, recounting his involvement in the development of ...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 61
In the first episode of the new season, Derek and Lawrence sit down with Chris Leonard, Senior Project Officer at Cotswold Archaeology. Chris shares his fascinating career journey, starting with a degree in South American Studies and navigating the highs and lows of short-term contracts in commercial archaeology. From uncertain beginnings to becoming a leading professional in the field, his story is a must-hear for anyone curious about the realities of a career in commercial archaeology. Plus, D...
Nov 18, 2024•57 min•Ep. 60
In this special episode, we bring you exclusive coverage from the launch event of the Festival of Archaeology, hosted at the scenic Scottish Crannog Centre on the banks of Loch Tay. Join us as we dive into engaging conversations with event organizers from the Council for British Archaeology, explore the vibrant stalls, and interact with the passionate site staff and living history specialists who bring the past to life. Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast or just curious about the past, thi...
Jul 17, 2024•30 min•Ep. 59
Our first episode of 2024 is a fascinating chat with Karen Kirk. Karen has had a brilliant career which has spanned commercial archaeology, BBC drama productions and more recently, the production of archaeological TV programs. With shows and documentaries ranging from Digging for Britain, Time Team, Secrets of Stonehenge and Titanic’s Final Mystery, Karen talks us through how she got involved in working in such an important area which allows us to share and promote our incredible discipline....
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 58
The episode of Career Ruins features a conversation with Colm Donnelly, a Senior Research Fellow at Queen's University in Belfast. Derek and Lawrence reflect on the highlights of the year and discuss Colm's career journey in historical archaeology and community archaeology. Colm shares insights into his notable projects, including excavating medieval castles in Ireland and participating in post-ex Russia. The episode highlights the importance of combining historical records with archaeological e...
Dec 31, 2023•52 min•Ep. 57
The podcast features an interview with Dr. Jim Leary, an archaeologist and author at the University of York. The trio discuss Jim's new book 'Footmarks' and, his experiences in commercial and curatorial archaeology, and his recent career move to part-time teaching. He also shares insights into his significant projects, including leading the excavation and stabilisation of Silbury Hill and investigating the Marlborough Mound.
Dec 19, 2023•49 min•Ep. 56
In this episode Derek and Lawrence chat to Helen Geake, an archaeologist and member of the television show Time Team. She discusses her career in archaeology, starting from when she was unsure about what she wanted to do and eventually discovering her passion for the subject. She talks about her academic journey, including her research on Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, and her work at Norwich Castle Museum and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. The trio also reflect on the role of luck in her career and ...
Nov 29, 2023•58 min•Ep. 55
Career in ruins are back in the saddle with their traditional interview format at the start of a very exciting new season. To kick us off we chat to the inspirational Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of the V&A East, and all round incredible person. We gain an insight into the motivation and application that has lead him to have such an incredible career in ruins. Catch Gus’s latest Radio series, Torn, on BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001bbpf...
Nov 03, 2023•49 min•Ep. 54
To kick off the start of our new season we are sharing a special podcast about OUR careers in ruins. This first episode is a recording from a lecture we were asked to give to the Anthropology Society at Stony Brook University, New York, about science communication. We hope you enjoy it and a huge thank you to all the committee and members of the society for the invite and warm welcome. Keep an eye out for new episodes over the next month or so!
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 53
In this first episode of the long awaited season 6 of Career in Ruins Lawrence and Derek join in with the CBA's Festival of Archaeology by celebrating "20 years" (ish) of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). Archaeology's Ant and Dec of the south coast are joined by three incredible guests; Michael Lewis, Head of the PAS at the British Museum, Emma Youell, metal detectorist and PAS self recorder and Neil Redfern, head of the Council for British Archaeology.
Jul 25, 2023•41 min•Ep. 52
In this special episode, reporting from Niue in the South Pacific, Lawrence meets Moira Enetama who is the director of the Tāoga Niue (museum). The duo discuss the impact of the Cyclone Heta in 2004 and Moira’s role in promoting and protecting the cultural heritage of Niue.
Jun 06, 2023•23 min•Ep. 51
This week we take a moment to pause and reflect on some of the problems facing members of our community. We are joined by Kate Geary (CiFA), Lu Stanton-Greenwood (StepChange/ BAJR) and David Connolly (BAJR) and discussions are centred on the recently released ‘Poverty Impact Report’. Some useful links below: For help and advice with debt, cost of living, benefits, hardship funds etc. http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/bajrpress/archaeologists-in-financial-crisis-bajr-survey-2022/ https://www.stepchange.or...
Oct 11, 2022•47 min•Ep. 50
A short message from Derek and Lawrence thanking you for listening
Sep 08, 2022•3 min•Ep. 49
Join Lawrence and Derek for an additional podcast as they go for a ramble chat with attendees of the Festival of Archaeology event in Corfe Castle, hosted by the National Trust. This “explosive” conversation covers ancient technology, forestry, maritime archaeology, computer games and much more.
Aug 07, 2022•37 min•Ep. 48
Welcome to this special episode which is brought to you by the Council for British Archaeology. This episode was recorded live at the Festival of Archaeology closing event at Corfe Castle, as hosted by the National Trust on 31st of July 2022. Derek and Lawrence are joined by a brilliant panel of archaeologists as they share their journey in archaeology and discuss several themes as well as advice to prospective future archaeologists. Panellists include Jeanette Plummer-Sires (Natural History Mus...
Aug 03, 2022•58 min•Ep. 47
In this special episode, join Lawrence as he attends a Festival of Archaeology event being delivered by Forestry England at Sherwood Pines. Learn a bit about what Forestry England do, how they manage their historic environment and what they have been doing to promote it during the festival. Lawrence catches up with colleagues and living historians who have helped to bring to life a day where visitors can learn all about the sites First World War history.
Jul 25, 2022•19 min•Ep. 46
We are back! And what better way to come back then to take a day out to visit the Durotriges Big Dig. Ran over 9 seasons, this research project focuses on Iron Age Dorset, examining the transition between the Iron Age and Roman Britain, and how this is represented in the archaeological record. Not only does the project offer up lots of interesting research questions and discoveries, but it also provides Bournemouth University students with an opportunity to participate in practical archaeologica...
Jun 24, 2022•40 min•Ep. 45
In this bonus episode Derek and Lawrence talk all things New Zealand archaeology. The duo are joined by New Zealand archaeologists Josie Hagan and Dr Andy Brown. The episode features a triumphant return of Monutrumps as well as a discussion of the range of sites in New Zealand and what you can expect during New Zealand archaeology week. New Zealand Archaeology Week is from 22 April to 1 May 2022. For more info see https://nzarchaeology.org/news-events/national-archaeology-week-2022...
Apr 14, 2022•45 min•Ep. 44
In this, the season 4 finale, Derek and Lawrence chat about sculptures in the Forest of Dean and the discovery of Shackleton’s ship. The final guest of the season is the incredible Dr Arwa Kharobi, a bioanthropologist who talks through her diverse and fascinating career in ruins and “tells” us about some of the sites she’s worked on.
Mar 13, 2022•37 min•Ep. 43
In this week’s episode Derek and Lawrence talk to………. each other. The duo discuss orienteering, the human history of the landscape, and Time Team. They also talk about some of the results from their YouTube mini-series ‘Career in Ruins: In the field’.
Mar 06, 2022•28 min•Ep. 42
This week we catch up with floatation queen and environmental archaeology professional Naomi Sewpaul. Naomie talks us through her career in ruins to date that has led to her into becoming a leading expert across the archaeological disciplines of academia, research and commercial investigations. Naomi helps us to understand how we can excavate with water and why the post excavation processes are just as valuable as geophysics or the process of excavation itself.
Feb 27, 2022•48 min•Ep. 41
This week Lawrence and Derek talk about their adventures in the countryside and Lawrence’s long history of heritage crime. Their guest this week is curatorial legend and Twitter master Rob Symmons. Rob is the curator of Fishbourne Roman palace: the largest Roman building north of the alps! The trio discuss Rob’s career in ruins, from the early seeds of his interest in archaeology to the moment Tony Robinson took a stroll in Fishbourne’s hypocaust.
Feb 20, 2022•41 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this week’s episode Lawrence and Derek discuss the value of mentorship as well as the archaeological potential of shooting forests with drone-based lasers. Their guest this week is Time Team landscape superstar Professor Stewart Ainsworth. Stewart shares stories from his amazing and diverse career, from his work with the Ordnance Survey to his 20 years as a regular Sunday evening fixture on Channel 4.
Feb 13, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this week’s episode Lawrence and Derek get a graphic insight into an often overlooked aspect of heritage communication. The duo are joined by Neil Max Emmanuel , a Creative Motion Graphic Designer, Animator, Editor, Storyboard Artist, Cartoonist/Comic Artist, Children's Book Illustrator, and all round amazing guy. I’m archaeology Neil is best known for his work on Time Team, bringing the stories to life and adding a dynamic motion aspect to Victor Ambrus’ amazing artwork. He has also recently...
Feb 06, 2022•42 min•Ep. 40
In this episode Derek and Lawrence chat to John Gater. John is an geophysicist who's had a long pioneering career in archaeology. He is best known says work on Time Team but was instrumental in the early commercial adoption of geophysics in archaeology having worked for companies such as British Gas and the English Heritage Ancient Monuments Laboratory as well as Bradford University Research. He also founded the company Geophysical Surveys of Bradford (GSB) before merging with the SUMO group. Th...
Jan 30, 2022•50 min•Ep. 39
This week we catch up with brilliant Natalie Haynes. We find out how comedy has shaped her career in classics and how the classics have shaped her career in comedy. Full of laughs and insight, we learn what it takes to a have a successful Radio 4 comedy series, write columns in leading papers and have your novel short listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Natalie is a classicist, author and stand-up comedian as well as the host of Radio 4’s “Natalie Haynes Stands Up For the Classics” which i...
Jan 23, 2022•54 min•Ep. 38
After popular demand we have added out new theme tune to our library as a surprise special gift for Spotify users. Add to your favorite playlist and listen whenever you like! Theme tune by Charles Harrison based on the tune created by Guy Dowsett.
Jan 19, 2022•36 sec•Ep. 37
Welcome back to the first episode of this new season of Career in Ruins. It’s been six months since we last did a pod and my word have we been busy. This week our hosts, Derek and Lawrence, catch up on what they have been up to, address some of the amazing archaeology that has been on the telly box of late and interview the fantastic Dr Cat Jarman. Cat is bioarchaeologist and archaeologist specializing in using forensic techniques to understand past peoples. Her research involves vikings, diet, ...
Jan 16, 2022•43 min•Ep. 36
