People

Dr Philippa Walton

Lecturer in Roman Archaeology

Headshot of Dr Philippa Walton in front of the Colosseum, Rome

School/Department: Archaeology and Ancient History, School of

Email: pjw48@leicester.ac.uk

Profile

I have worked as a numismatist and small finds specialist for more than 20 years. My research focuses on the material culture of Roman Britain, with a particular emphasis on data generated by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. My most recent project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, explored the deposition of objects in rivers throughout the Roman Empire and asked what they reveal about the identities of those who deposited them. In addition to working on riverine depositional practices, I have also published extensively on the function and use of coinage in Roman Britain, particularly in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. In 2014, I was the first woman to be awarded the Blunt Prize for Numismatics by the British Numismatic Society in recognition of this research.

Research

My research focuses on the deposition of Roman objects in rivers and am currently co-PI on a major AHRC/DFG research project 'Ritual, Rubbish and Retrieval: new approaches to Roman river finds'. With partners at the Universities of Reading, Trier and Cologne this project compares and contrasts Roman finds recovered from rivers in Britain and Germany. Such finds have usually been assumed to be rubbish deposits or the result of accidental loss, but some may be deliberate ritual offerings. Previously with Hella Eckardt, I have written a book (2021) about the huge assemblage of Roman objects from the River Tees at Piercebridge, Co. Durham. 

I also collaborate with the UKRI-funded project at the University of Reading led by Dr Peter Bray, 'Roman and Early Medieval Alloys Defined' (REMADE). This project aims to use chemical analyses to explore patterns of recycling, mixing, alloying, trade and identity in Roman Britain and beyond. https://research.reading.ac.uk/remade/

Supervision

I am currently supervising Phds focusing on:

  • the function and use of barbarous radiates in late 3rd century Britain;
  • Roman vessels identified as feeding bottles.

I am also currently developing a PhD project in collaboration with Glynn Davis (Senior Collections and Learning Curator, Colchester Museums) exploring Roman coinage from Colchester and its environs.

I welcome doctoral research proposals with a Roman material culture emphasis and particularly interested in hearing from prospective postgraduate students who are interested in utlising Portable Antiquities Scheme data in new ways.

Teaching

I contribute to both campus-based and distance learning teaching, with an emphasis on modules which explore the material culture and impact of the Roman empire. I am the Fieldwork Co-ordinator and having worked as a professional archaeologist and small finds specialist, I like to include practical elements in my teaching where possible to prepare students for careers in the archaeological sector and beyond. Modules I currently co-ordinate include:

AR1008 Using Archaeological Evidence

AR2046 Introduction to Roman archaeology

AR2607 Archaeology of the Roman world

AR3095 Lived Experience in imperial Rome

AR3607 Britain in the Roman world

AR7560 Households and domesticity in the ancient world

I also contribute to:

AR1005 World Archaeology (AD)

 

Press and media

I was the Roman Finds specialist for Channel 4's TV show Time Team between 2005 and 2012 and have contributed to Roman-themed episodes of Time Team Digital in 2022 and 2023. I am currently working with the show to create a film which gives an insight into the University of Leicester's first year fieldschool. I welcome enquiries from the media on Roman Britain and Roman material culture.

Activities

2020- present Trustee of the Roman Research Trust

2022-2024 Membership Secretary Roman Finds Group

2018-2023 Member of Roman Society Archaeological Committee

Awards

 

2022: Current Archaeology Magazine's Research Project of the Year (with Prof. Hella Eckardt, University of Reading)

2014: The Blunt Prize for Numismatics awarded by the British Numismatic Society.

Qualifications

MA (Cantab) Classics with Part I in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic

PgDip (Oxon) Professional Archaeology

PhD (UCL) Rethinking Roman Britain: coinage and archaeology

Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (FHEA)

Back to top
MENU