Phil Weston

After almost 20 years in field archaeology, Phil finally hung his trowel up and he became a Cultural Heritage consultant with Arcadis. In this role Phil uses his archaeological knowledge to help major developers gain planning permission for huge infrastructure projects. He still remembers his days in the trenches fondly and his favourite sites were an Iron Age village in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire and a Neolithic henge on Anglesey.

Latest questions answered by Phil Weston

Dear Phil, Please could you tell me what a henge is? Someone I know says he found one, but I’m not sure! Thank you very much. Peter (12)

Hello Peter, My first question and a very interesting one! Right up my street! A henge is a circular bank and ditch monument usually with the bank on […]

Hi Phil, I found strange tube-like bones in limestone along a river, which I can’t identify. Can you help? They range about 10mm x 2mm to 100mm x 30mm. I also found a graveyard of small snails by the thousands, and small circular golden ball-like specimens. Kaone Lekoko

Hi Kaone, I think we are wandering out of the realm of archaeology and in to the kingdom of palaeontology or geology here! But I’ll give it a […]

What is the most gruesome thing that someone had died from, that you have found?James Johnson (8)

Hi James, A very gruesome question, it’s a shame it’s not Halloween! As an archaeologist I have come across a lot of dead people but it is often […]

Why are the things from the olden days under the ground? Edward (4)

Hello Edward, Thank you for your question! Well, there are several ways in which old stuff gets buried. Archaeologists call the process of how an archaeological site is […]

What is the most interesting thing you have found? What is the first step in excavating old bones and artefacts? Shaiah (13)

Hi Shaiah! Two questions for the price of one! I think the most interesting and challenging site I’ve found is an Iron Age village with huge enclosure ditches, […]

What are the most common artefacts you find ? And where do you find the most artefacts?Savanah (12)

Hi Savanah! Thank you for your question. In terms of which types of artefacts are most common, it all depends what kind of site you’re on! Let me […]

How is Carbon Dating done? How can I do it? How can I become an archaeologist? What education and qualifications are required for it? Rijul Jain

Hi Rijul, thank you for your questions! Let’s see, we’re going to have to get a little scientific… Carbon dating or radiocarbon dating is a scientific method for […]

What equipment do you need for a dig? Isabel (9)

Hi Isabel, thank you for your question and a Happy New Year! There are loads of different pieces of equipment that an archaeologist might need! If we go […]

I really want to study archaeology and I am choosing my subjects to study at high school. Do you have any suggestions? / Hi, my daughter Hannah in year 9 is considering archaeology as a career. Besides history, which other GCSEs does she need to choose?Brad (13) / Hannah’s mum, Joanna

Hello Brad and Hannah (and Joanna), You have both asked the same question so I’ll address my answer to both of you if that’s OK. I realised that […]