Following the retirement of Dr John Crook, Urban Archaeology’s Chiz Harward has been appointed Cathedral Archaeologist at Winchester Cathedral.
Building on the excavation and publication of major monastic sites such as the priory, hospital and cemetery of St Mary Spital (MOLA) Chiz has found himself increasingly working on ecclesiastical and monastic sites, digging at numerous Cotswold churches (as well as the occasional Cotswold pub) over the last decade. Extensive work at Gloucester cathedral has involved both excavation and standing building recording and last year Urban Archaeology spent Lockdown v1.0 combining excavation and ‘buildings archaeology’ in a very 3-D project at the former Infirmarer’s Lodging of St Peter’s, Gloucester.
Winchester is an inspiring and daunting setting for any urban archaeologist, the site of so many important events in archaeology from the game-changing work of the Biddles and the Winchester Excavations Committee, to the birth of Harris’ matrix and Single Context Recording. Chiz hopes to bring his experience of urban excavation, building recording and project planning to the role and to build on the work of John Crook and the cathedral team.
Working with the wider cathedral team Chiz will seek to ensure that the cathedral and its close continues to be conserved, understood and enhanced, that where necessary it is excavated and recorded to the highest standards, and that the archaeology, history and heritage of this extraordinary site is brought to the widest audience possible.
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