I am delighted to introduce the 180th volume of the Archaeological Journal, marking the commencement of my tenure as the editor. I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Lisa-Marie Shillto, who has diligently overseen the journal for the past five years. Building upon her exceptional work, I am eager to continue fostering excellence within the Archaeological Journal.
This year we have seen a delayed impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on submissions to the Archaeological Journal. While the lockdown period provided an opportunity for researchers to delve into writing up their findings, the current surge of activity in the field is generating new data which will no doubt make its way into print over the coming years. I would like to take this opportunity to invite professionals in both the commercial and academic sectors to contribute their field reports and research papers to the Archaeological Journal.
Spanning the archaeology of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Eire, our journal encapsulates the entirety of the human past—from the earliest prehistory to contemporary times. It is this broad temporal spectrum that renders the Archaeological Journal truly unique.
Issue one includes a diverse array of papers ranging from the Iron Age to the Early Medieval Period. Aldred et al. explore regions in England where the understanding of Iron Age and Roman settlement has reached an unprecedented level of richness. They go beyond merely identifying site presence or absence, delving into the prerequisites for advancing our comprehension of the amassed data on Iron Age and Roman settlements and landscapes.
Blair et al. revisit the Shakenoak Villa site, shedding new light on the post-Roman occupation and burial practices. The study revaluates various aspects of the archaeological evidence, including military equipment and a fifth-century bow brooch, in light of recent studies. Moreover, multi-isotope analysis of human remains suggests a non-local origin, hinting at potential connections to southwestern England or Wales rather than the continent.
Koon re-examines two small votive plates from York, providing unique insights into the presence of the Greek language in Roman Britain. Blinkhorn discusses the Vikings and the origins of wheel-thrown pottery production in ninth-century England. It focuses on the three potentially earliest pottery-making centres, reporting new and re-examining older evidence from manufactories. Lastly, Gondeck delves into the symbolism of carving as a mnemonic tool for ‘deep’ genealogy in Early Medieval Scotland. Through a meticulous examination of materiality, landscape, and transformation processes, Gondeck explores the interpretation of meaning and significance derived from the reuse of prehistoric stone monuments, using Nether Corskie in Aberdeenshire as a compelling example.
Complementing these research papers, issues one and two include a diverse array of book reviews, addressing a broad spectrum of archaeological topics. I express my gratitude to Dr. Andrew Valdez-Tullett for his exceptional work as the reviews editor and extend thanks to the RAI’s Editorial committee for their invaluable guidance throughout this process. I eagerly anticipate the contributions that will enrich the pages of the Archaeological Journal in the years to come.