Peter Vincent Addyman, (born 12 July 1939), known as P. V. Addyman, is a British archaeologist, who was Director of the
York Archaeological Trust
The York Archaeological Trust for Excavation and Research Limited (YAT) is an educational charity, established in 1972 in the city of York, England. It carries out archaeological investigations, fieldwork, excavation and research in York, Yo ...
from 1972 to 2002. Addyman obtained a degree in archaeology at
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
, after which he lectured at
Queen's University Belfast
, mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back?
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and the
University of Southampton
, mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour
, type = Public research university
, established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...
, while also conducting excavations. In 1972 he was offered the directorship of the newly founded York Archaeological Trust, the creation of which he had proposed; along with excavation work in
York
York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...
, he oversaw the development of the
Jorvik Viking Centre
The Jorvik Viking Centre is a museum and visitor attraction in York, England, containing lifelike mannequins and life-size dioramas depicting Viking life in the city. Visitors are taken through the dioramas in small carriages equipped with spea ...
, the Archaeological Resource Centre, and
Barley Hall
Barley Hall is a reconstructed medieval townhouse in the city of York, England. It was built around 1360 by the monks of Nostell Priory near Wakefield and extended in the 15th century. The property went into a slow decline and by the 20th centur ...
. In 2000 he was appointed a Commander of the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
.
Early life and education
Peter Vincent Addyman was born on 12 July 1939 to Erik Thomas Waterhouse Addyman and Evelyn Mary (née Fisher), and was brought up in
Harrogate
Harrogate ( ) is a spa town and the administrative centre of the Borough of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England. Historic counties of England, Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is a tourist destination and its visitor at ...
,
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county County of York, West Riding (the area under the control of West Riding County Council), abbreviated County ...
(now
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is the largest ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county (lieutenancy area) in England, covering an area of . Around 40% of the county is covered by National parks of the United Kingdom, national parks, including most of ...
). As a child he assisted with excavations at the
York Museum Gardens
The York Museum Gardens are botanic gardens in the centre of York, England, beside the River Ouse. They cover an area of of the former grounds of St Mary's Abbey, and were created in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society along with ...
—"digging holes all around the Museum Gardens in a way we'd never be able to do now," as he described it, and sifting through spoil heaps to find artefacts. He attended
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a public school (English independent day and boarding school) in the town of Sedbergh in Cumbria, in North West England. It comprises a junior school for children aged 4 to 13 and the main school for 13 to 18 year olds. It w ...
and
Norwood College
Norwood College was a private boys' school located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. It was founded on 8 May 1936, by Gordon William George Cass, a former teacher, known as "Charlie" to his pupils. The school was on a corner site with the ...
, at which point he and some schoolmates discovered at Underbank, near Sedbergh, a medieval village; they published a report of their excavation in the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal before graduating. After Norwood Addyman moved on to
Peterhouse
Peterhouse is the oldest constituent college of the University of Cambridge in England, founded in 1284 by Hugh de Balsham, Bishop of Ely. Today, Peterhouse has 254 undergraduates, 116 full-time graduate students and 54 fellows. It is quite o ...
at
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
, obtaining a degree in archaeology, and in 1960 directing excavations at
Maxey. He took the
tripos
At the University of Cambridge, a Tripos (, plural 'Triposes') is any of the examinations that qualify an undergraduate for a bachelor's degree or the courses taken by a student to prepare for these. For example, an undergraduate studying mathe ...
in 1961 at the same time as fellow scholar
Martin Biddle
Martin Biddle, (born 4 June 1937) is a British archaeologist and academic. He is an emeritus fellow of Hertford College, Oxford. His work was important in the development of medieval and post-medieval archaeology in Great Britain.
Early life ...
.
Career
![Coppergate Helmet YORCM CA665-2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Coppergate_Helmet_YORCM_CA665-2.png)
Following his time at Cambridge Addyman worked at
Queen's University Belfast
, mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back?
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, from 1962 to 1964 as an assistant lecturer in archaeology, and from then until 1967 as a lecturer. From 1967 until 1972, he taught as a junior lecturer in Archaeology at the
University of Southampton
, mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour
, type = Public research university
, established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...
. During this time he variously directed excavations at
Lydford
Lydford, sometimes spelled Lidford, is a village, once an important town, in Devon, north of Tavistock on the western fringe of Dartmoor in the West Devon district. There is an electoral ward with the same name which includes Princetown. The p ...
(1964–1967),
Ludgershall Castle (1964–1972), and
Chalton (1970–1972).
Addyman's path was bent towards academia, when in 1971 he was commissioned to analyse the impact of a proposed road in York. His resulting report suggested the city establish an archaeological unit for excavations, suggesting it would serve both educational and touristic purposes. The money was found for the unit; he was offered the directorship; and from its founding in 1972 until 2002, Addyman served as the director of the
York Archaeological Trust
The York Archaeological Trust for Excavation and Research Limited (YAT) is an educational charity, established in 1972 in the city of York, England. It carries out archaeological investigations, fieldwork, excavation and research in York, Yo ...
. During that time he was responsible for archaeological excavations in
York
York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...
, and directed the development of the
Jorvik Viking Centre
The Jorvik Viking Centre is a museum and visitor attraction in York, England, containing lifelike mannequins and life-size dioramas depicting Viking life in the city. Visitors are taken through the dioramas in small carriages equipped with spea ...
, the Archaeological Resource Centre, and
Barley Hall
Barley Hall is a reconstructed medieval townhouse in the city of York, England. It was built around 1360 by the monks of Nostell Priory near Wakefield and extended in the 15th century. The property went into a slow decline and by the 20th centur ...
. Addyman and the Trust oversaw the publication of more than 60 volumes about the archaeology of York, and added tens of thousands of items to their collection. The
Anglo-Saxon
The Anglo-Saxons were a Cultural identity, cultural group who inhabited England in the Early Middle Ages. They traced their origins to settlers who came to Britain from mainland Europe in the 5th century. However, the ethnogenesis of the Anglo- ...
Coppergate helmet
The Coppergate Helmet (also known as the York Helmet) is an eighth-century Anglo-Saxon helmet found in York, England. It was discovered in May 1982 during excavations for the Jorvik Viking Centre at the bottom of a pit that is thought to have on ...
was discovered during the excavations for the building of the Jorvik Centre, inspiring several of Addyman's publications.
Addyman retired from the York Archaeological Trust on 30 September 2002, exactly 30 years after taking charge. "Archaeologists retire to do archaeology," he said at the time; he is currently the chairman of the Malton Museum Foundation, a position he has held since 2012, the president of the
York Civic Trust
York Civic Trust is a membership organisation and a registered charity based in York, UK. Its primary function is to "preserve, protect and advise on the historic fabric of York". It is based in Fairfax House.
Foundation
York Civic Trust was fo ...
, and since 2007 the director of Continuum Group Ltd.
In addition to his primary occupations, Addyman has served in various capacities for many different organisations. From 1981 to 1983 he served as the vice-president of the
Council for British Archaeology
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is an educational charity established in 1944 in the UK. It works to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and futu ...
, and from 1992 until 1995 as its president. He was also the vice-president of the
Royal Archaeological Institute
The Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI) is a learned society, established in 1844, with interests in all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these ...
from 1979 until 1983. In addition to his current chairmanship, he was the chairman of the
Standing Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers from its 1975 founding until 1978, the
Institute of Field Archaeologists
The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) is a professional organisation for archaeologists working in the United Kingdom and overseas. It was founded in 1982, and at 21 July 2020 had 3,931 members overall, of whom 3,033 were accredited p ...
from 1983 to 1985, Cultural Resource Management Ltd from 1989 to 1995 (and director from 1979 to 1995), the Standing Conference on Portable Antiquities from 1995 to 2005, the Standing Conference on London Archaeology from 2005 to 2007, the Yorkshire Dales Landscape Research Trust from 2006 until 2016, and
York Civic Trust from 2012 until 2015, and thereafter as the president. Addyman was a member of the
Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME) was a government advisory body responsible for documenting buildings and monuments of archaeological, architectural and historical importance in England. It was established in 19 ...
from 1997 to 1999, the Ancient Monuments Advisory Committee from 1998 to 2001, the Places of Worship Panel from 2001 to 2004, and, currently of
English Heritage
English Heritage (officially the English Heritage Trust) is a charity that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places. These include prehistoric sites, medieval castles, Roman forts and country houses.
The charity states that i ...
. From 1984 to 2007 he was the academic director of Heritage Projects Ltd, and he was the president of the
Yorkshire Archaeological Society
The Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society (YAHS), formerly known as the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, is a learned society and registered charity founded in 1863. It is dedicated to the study of the archaeology, history and people of ...
from 1999 to 2005 and the
Yorkshire Philosophical Society
The Yorkshire Philosophical Society (YPS) is a charitable learned society (charity reg. 529709) which aims to promote the public understanding of the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the archaeology and history of York and Yorkshire.
...
from 1999 until 2013. He also served as a trustee of the
National Coal Mining Museum
The National Coal Mining Museum for England is based at the site of Caphouse Colliery in Overton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. It opened in 1988 as the Yorkshire Mining Museum and was granted national status in 1995.
History
Caphouse C ...
from 1995 until 2002, and as governor of the
Company of Merchant Adventurers of York from 2006 to 2007.
In 1998 he was made an honorary professor at both the
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford is a Public university, public research university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. A plate glass university, it received its royal charter in 1966, making it the 40th university to be creat ...
in and the
University of York
, mottoeng = On the threshold of wisdom
, established =
, type = Public research university
, endowment = £8.0 million
, budget = £403.6 million
, chancellor = Heather Melville
, vice_chancellor = Charlie Jeffery
, students ...
. Bradford had previously awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science in 1984, and York a
DUniv in 1985.
Honours
In 2000 Addyman was appointed a Commander of the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
, and in 2004 a Commander of the
Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Norwegian: ''Den Kongelige Norske Fortjenstorden'' (Bokmål) or ''Den Kongelege Norske Fortenesteordenen'' (Nynorsk)) was instituted by King Olav V in 1985. It is awarded to foreigners, Norwegian citizens livin ...
. He is a
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context.
In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements.
Within the context of higher education ...
(FSA), a position to which he was elected on 2 March 1967. In 2015 he was one of four individuals awarded the
President's Medal by the
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national academy for the humanities and the social sciences.
It was established in 1902 and received its royal charter in the same year. It is now a fellowship of more than 1,000 leading scholars span ...
, alongside
Darren Henley
Darren Richard Henley , born February 1973, is the Chief Executive of Arts Council England and an author of books about the arts. He is a member of the UK government's Creative Industries Council.
Education
He is a graduate of the University of ...
,
Elizabeth Livingstone
Elizabeth Anne Livingstone (born on July 7, 1929) , also known as E. A. Livingstone, is an English Anglican theologian, specialising in patristics.
Life
Education
She has a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oxford and a Lamb ...
, and
Michael Wood.
In 2008, Addyman was named an Honorary Freeman of the city of York. It is for those who have served York with distinction, or with notable links to the city; others who have received the award include Joyce Pickard, Sir
Ron Cooke, and
Dame Janet Baker
Dame Janet Abbott Baker (born 21 August 1933) is an English mezzo-soprano best known as an opera, concert, and lieder singer.Blyth, Alan, "Baker, Dame Janet (Abbott)" in Sadie, Stanley, ed.; John Tyrell; exec. ed. (2001). ''New Grove Dictionary ...
. Addyman was given a
vellum
Vellum is prepared animal skin or membrane, typically used as writing material. Parchment is another term for this material, from which vellum is sometimes distinguished, when it is made from calfskin, as opposed to that made from other anima ...
scroll, and the right to drive three sheep or beasts over the historic
Ouse Bridge, and to graze three beasts on
Knavesmire
The Knavesmire is one of a number of large, marshy undeveloped areas within the city of York in North Yorkshire, England, which are collectively known as '' Strays''. Knavesmire, together with Hob Moor, comprises Micklegate Stray.
It has bee ...
in the city. As he said when receiving the award, "These are very useful things and I expect to use these prerogatives very soon."
Sackler Lectures
In 2012,
Raymond Sackler
Raymond Sackler (February 16, 1920 – July 17, 2017) was an American physician and businessman. He acquired Purdue Pharma together with his brothers Arthur M. Sackler and Mortimer Sackler. Purdue Pharma is the developer of OxyContin, the dr ...
and his wife Beverly endowed a series of lectures in Honour of
Norman Hammond
Norman Hammond (born 10 July 1944) is a British archaeologist, academic and Mesoamericanist scholar, noted for his publications and research on the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.
Career
Hammond was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He held ...
. These lectures are held annually at
Peterhouse
Peterhouse is the oldest constituent college of the University of Cambridge in England, founded in 1284 by Hugh de Balsham, Bishop of Ely. Today, Peterhouse has 254 undergraduates, 116 full-time graduate students and 54 fellows. It is quite o ...
, Cambridge, UK and are co-hosted by the
McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research
The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research is a research institute of the University of Cambridge in England.
History
The institute was established in 1990 through a benefaction from the late Dr Daniel McLean McDonald, a successful ind ...
.
The first Raymond and Beverly Sackler distinguished lecture in Archaeology in Honour of Norman Hammond was given at Peterhouse on 4 November 2015 by Peter Addyman on "Creating Heritage: Vikings, Jorvik and Public Interest archaeology.
Personal life
In 1965 Addyman married Shelton "Shelly" Addyman (née Oliver). She died on 25 November 2016; the two had met while he was excavating an Anglo-Saxon village in
Devon
Devon ( , historically known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South West England. The most populous settlement in Devon is the city of Plymouth, followed by Devon's county town, the city of Exeter. Devon is ...
as a research assistant at Queen's University Belfast, and she was a doctoral student from
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
. He has one son, Tom, and one daughter, Sue, in addition to grandchildren Oscar, Oliver, Harry, and Tatiana. As recreations Addyman enjoys gardening, watercolours, and travel.
Publications
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References
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Addyman, Peter Vincent
1939 births
Living people
British archaeologists
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Recipients of the President's Medal (British Academy)
People from Harrogate
People educated at Sedbergh School
Alumni of Peterhouse, Cambridge
Academics of Queen's University Belfast
Academics of the University of Southampton
Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Anglo-Saxon studies scholars
People of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
Members of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society