Joshua Pollard
Encyclopedia
Dr Joshua Pollard FSA is a British archaeologist, who is currently Senior Lecturer and Head of Archaeology at the University of Bristol
. He gained his BA and PhD in Archaeology from the Cardiff University
, and has specialised in the archaeology of the Neolithic period in the UK and north-west Europe, especially in relation to the study of depositional practices, monumentality, and landscape. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Pollard has been involved in field projects around the Neolithic monument complexes of Avebury
and Stonehenge
, including the Longstones Project which sought to understand the sequence and context of monument construction in the later Neolithic of the Avebury region, and which led to the re-discovery of a second megalithic avenue (the Beckhampton Avenue
) leading from the Avebury henge and an unusual later Neolithic enclosure. The project also focussed on other key elements of the complex, such as the West Kennet Avenue, Falkner's Circle and the Avebury Cove.
He has also been involved in the Stonehenge Riverside Project
since 2004: a field project that he jointly directs with Dr Mike Parker Pearson
, Dr Colin Richards, Dr Julian Thomas, Dr Chris Tilley and Dr Kate Welham. The project's aim is to understand the local and regional context of Stonehenge, not as a monument in isolation, but as part of a more extensive 3rd and early 2nd millennium BC ceremonial complex focused on the River Avon
. Work at the henge enclosure of Durrington Walls
in 2004 explored the area of the south-eastern entrance, and the relationship between the henge and River Avon.
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
. He gained his BA and PhD in Archaeology from the Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, and has specialised in the archaeology of the Neolithic period in the UK and north-west Europe, especially in relation to the study of depositional practices, monumentality, and landscape. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
Pollard has been involved in field projects around the Neolithic monument complexes of Avebury
Avebury
Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles which is located around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, south west England. Unique amongst megalithic monuments, Avebury contains the largest stone circle in Europe, and is one of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain...
and Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
, including the Longstones Project which sought to understand the sequence and context of monument construction in the later Neolithic of the Avebury region, and which led to the re-discovery of a second megalithic avenue (the Beckhampton Avenue
Beckhampton Avenue
The Beckhampton Avenue a curving prehistoric avenue of stones that ran broadly south west from Avebury towards The Longstones at Beckhampton in the English county of Wiltshire. It probably dates to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age....
) leading from the Avebury henge and an unusual later Neolithic enclosure. The project also focussed on other key elements of the complex, such as the West Kennet Avenue, Falkner's Circle and the Avebury Cove.
He has also been involved in the Stonehenge Riverside Project
Stonehenge Riverside Project
The Stonehenge Riverside Project is a major AHRC-funded archaeological research study of the development of the Stonehenge landscape in Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain...
since 2004: a field project that he jointly directs with Dr Mike Parker Pearson
Mike Parker Pearson
Michael "Mike" Parker Pearson is a professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield in England. His books include The Archaeology of Death and Burial, Bronze Age Britain, Architecture and Order and In Search of the Red Slave...
, Dr Colin Richards, Dr Julian Thomas, Dr Chris Tilley and Dr Kate Welham. The project's aim is to understand the local and regional context of Stonehenge, not as a monument in isolation, but as part of a more extensive 3rd and early 2nd millennium BC ceremonial complex focused on the River Avon
River Avon, Hampshire
The River Avon is a river in the south of England. The river rises in the county of Wiltshire and flows through the city of Salisbury and the county of Hampshire before reaching the English Channel through Christchurch Harbour in the county of Dorset....
. Work at the henge enclosure of Durrington Walls
Durrington Walls
Durrington Walls is the site of a large Neolithic settlement and later henge enclosure located in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. It is 2 miles north-east of Stonehenge in the parish of Durrington, just north of Amesbury...
in 2004 explored the area of the south-eastern entrance, and the relationship between the henge and River Avon.
Books
- Gillings, M., Pollard, J., Peterson, R. & Wheatley, D. 2008. Landscape of the Megaliths: excavation and fieldwork on the Avebury monuments, 1997-2003. Oxford: Oxbow Books
- Pollard, J., Howell, R., Chadwick, A. & Leaver, A. 2006. Lodge Hill Camp, Caerleon, and the Hillforts of Gwent. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports
- Gillings, M. & Pollard, J. 2004. Avebury. London: Duckworth
- Cleal, R. & Pollard, J. (eds). 2004. Monuments and Material Culture: essays on Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain. East Salisbury: Hobnob Press
- Pollard, J. & Reynolds, A. 2002. Avebury: the biography of a landscape. Stroud and Charleston, SC: Tempus
- Whittle, A., Pollard, J. & Grigson, C. 1999. The Harmony of Symbols: the Windmill Hill causewayed enclosure. Oxford: Oxbow Books
- Pollard, J. 1997. Neolithic Britain. Princes Risborough: Shire Publications