Excavation

Nicola Hembrey

Archaeological Excavation Principal

Nicola leads the Archaeological Excavation Team, delivering practical excavation on key sites, along with providing strategic direction for the team’s roles in sector strategy, leadership and innovation, and contributing to the management and operation of Archaeological Investigation. She is also an expert in the study of material culture, with a specialism in Roman small finds, and a research interest in contemporary engagement with objects. Having led field and finds projects, key works include Later Silbury and Low Ham Roman Villa, and developing Historic England’s Archaeological Training Programme. Nicola is committed to collaborative working, and to making archaeology accessible. She is an advocate for inclusion, diversity and equity in archaeology.

You can read some of Nicola’s work on her Academia profile. Nicola is an accredited Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Tony Wilmott

Senior Archaeologist – Excavation Co-ordinator

Tony is an experienced field archaeologist whose role is in planning and leading programmes of excavation, research, and post excavation. His specialisms are the archaeology of Hadrian’s Wall and Roman frontiers, the Roman military, the archaeology of the Roman amphitheatre, and the late Roman/early medieval transition. He has published widely on these subjects, notably monographs on Birdoswald, many excavations on Hadrian’s Wall, and the amphitheatre at Chester. Recent key works include the Roman site of Richborough, the cemetery of Birdoswald, and Whitby Abbey. Tony was previously voted Current Archaeology magazine's Archaeologist of the Year.

You can read some of Tony’s work on his Academia profile. Tony is an accredited Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Vicky Crosby

Senior Archaeologist - Rescue Strategy

Vicky is an experienced archaeologist whose main research interest is later prehistoric and Romano-British rural economies, especially integrating a wide range of evidence to build our understanding. She leads the post-excavation research on the large and complex Iron Age and Romano-British rural settlement at Stanwick, Northamptonshire (Raunds Iron Age & Romano-British project). Other work includes investigating the Romano-British period around Silbury Hill, and excavation as part of the ‘Lakes and Dales’ National Archaeological Identification Survey Upland Pilot. Vicky’s expertise in digital recording and site survey has contributed to most of the team’s recent fieldwork projects. Her strategic role focusses on support for archaeology discovered outside planning process, threatened by imminent loss or destruction, or whose results remain inaccessible to the public.

You can read some of Vicky’s work on her Academia profile.

Tom Cromwell

Senior Archaeologist – Digital Strategy

A professional field archaeologist for four decades, Tom conducts research and leads excavations on a number of important sites, including Dover Castle, Windsor Castle, and Apethorpe Hall. Initially trained in post-Roman settlement and the rise of monasticism, he has developed in-depth knowledge of post-medieval gardens through work in the HLF’s Urban Parks programme and later through excavations at Marble Hill. Having provided expertise in metric survey and CAD skills for the team, Tom is heavily involved in the development of digital recording techniques for excavations. His publications include the excavation chapter of the recent Dover Great Tower book, the Silkstone Glassworks article in Post-Med Archaeology, and numerous EH/HE Research Reports.

You can read some of Tom’s work on his Academia profile.

Ian Barnes

Senior Archaeologist– Collaboration and Capacity-Building Strategy

Ian has experience across the archaeological profession, having directed and managed archaeological fieldwork in the commercial sector, managed archaeological landscapes under military training with the Ministry of Defence, and led on the protection and sharing of archaeology for the National Trust. Ian has a background in excavation of sites from all periods as well as programme management, and has maintained an interest in later prehistoric archaeology, in particular Iron Age non-ferrous metalwork. He is published in all these areas, as well as in metalworking technology and the application of Remote Sensing in archaeology. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and a Fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries of London, and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Rachel Cubitt

Archaeologist – Finds Specialist

Rachel is a small finds specialist with particular expertise in artefacts of the Medieval and Post-Medieval periods. Her extensive experience of the post excavation process has been developed through many years of working within commercial archaeology. She has dealt with finds at every stage of the process from field to archive, as well as having undertaken curatorial work. Rachel is enthusiastic about the dissemination of archaeological research to a diverse audience. In addition to publishing and speaking about her own research, she has played a key role in managing and contributing to other publication projects. You can read some of Rachel’s work on her Academia profile. Rachel is a member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists at Associate level.

James Pearce

Logistics and Technical Support Officer

James provides logistical support to archaeological excavations taking place at sites across the country, and technical support for Fort Cumberland laboratories. He looks after our specialist equipment and stores, and carries out maintenance and routine care of collections. James also supports public engagement events at Fort Cumberland and other venues.

Lucy Parker

Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Student

Lucy is the Archaeological Projects team’s current Collaborative Doctoral Partnership student, with Bournemouth University. She is researching the effectiveness of geophysical survey within archaeological investigation. She is reviewing geophysical data and interpretation against excavation results to create meaningful evidence to support Heritage professionals who commission and use geophysical survey, aiming to create guidance. You can read some of Lucy’s work on her Academia profile. Lucy is an accredited Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.