The Muddy Archaeologist

About Me

A highly professional independent expert in the ancient world, in archaeology and in Latin too.

Author, historian, archaeologist, presenter and public speaker nationally and internationally of extensive experience and range, I specialise in providing passion, colour and depth to the present by visiting the past – whether it be through books, lively illustrated talks, articles, archaeological tours and cruises, walks, community archaeology projects, curses and classes, media.
My clients have included the British Museum and York University and everyone from WIs to the National Trust and the national Press.

Ex-BBC, I’m delighted to contribute via television, radio/audio, film, apps or printed media and I love meeting you in person at events too.

As Author, award-winning Writer, Tutor, Presenter and Public Speaker at events, in the media, on tours and cruises etc, I work as a freelance independent self-employed professional.

(Read my award-winning RHS/British Library entry here)

Biography

After graduating in Latin & Ancient History from Exeter University in 1983, I spent several years working in BBC Television on everything from live television at No.10 to the Domesday Project (remember that?) and a spell in Children’s Programmes, as well as Drama Series & Serials and Science & Features.

I moved to North Yorkshire where I began to throw myself (often literally) into archaeology and started my award-winning writing and public speaking career.

I love to share history through teaching Latin and Classical History, community archaeology projects, writing books and articles, or presenting in person, on-line, in the media and on tours and cruises to demystify the past – I aim to open our eyes to see that it’s all around us, if we just know where to look …

“But what use is Latin and Ancient History?” is a question I am frequently asked, to which my answers were, and are, many and varied but which nearly always include the concept “because it’s FUN!”.

For history and archaeology are all around us. We see it every day of our lives and use Latin and classical echoes all the time, often without even realising it – and it can be great fun. Honest. And it’s a privilege to be at the cutting edge of unearthing and sharing muddy history when I’m out on community archaeology sites or major international sites too.

Lecturing on tours has taken me around the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean and from there right up into the glorious Northern Isles too.  

Watch my Show Reel here :  

You can read my CV here
Gillian Hovell  CV

Galleries
At the Sharp End of the Trowel

Sharing the Exploration

• Adding Colour & Depth to our Modern Lives by Digging Deeper into ancient cultures through Archaeology & Ancient History around us.  Archaeology, ancient literature, even Latin itself.
• Discover Art & Design’s Common Humanity from Ages past

Also:  Motivational & Inspirational Talks that provide timeless yet ever new concepts:

• Timeless, Ancient Roots of Everything.  From Gardens to Businesses & Professions, from Genres to Leadership, and from Why We Travel to Design & Creativity.
• Finding the New in a World where Nothing is New
• Tapping into Personal & Professional Eternal Aspirations & Inspiration

A wide-ranging Range of Lectures and Courses  is available

A dedicated Arts Lecture Portfolio  is also available  (Gillian is an accredited lecturer of the Arts Society)

STUDY DAYS can include:

Tutankhamun’s World:  Egypt Rising from the Sands Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Carter’s great discovery of ‘Wonderful things’ with this Full or Half Day Study Day.  Explore the astonished world of Tutankhamun and his treasures.  The World of Tutankhamun synopsis 

The World of Stonehenge  What we know/think we know about the site, then explore the vibrant Neolithic world of the first farmers and their time; finally, we explore Neolithic sites and learn what to look for when we’re out and about.

The Complete Pompeii.    Ever popular day. Join me, an archaeologist who has excavated on a Pompeian site, for a full or half day exploring the wonders of life in this ancient city 2,000 years ago.  Complete Pompeii Synopsis

Ancient Roots: Classical Stories growing in your Garden  Uproot the myths and uses of plants 2,000 years ago, and discover the ancient roots of our modern gardens today 

Some of the most popular Muddy Archaeologist talks are:

• • Complete Pompeii  Full Study Day  Find out how to truly enter the world of the Romans at Pompeii.
  • A Mediterranean Tour – Not Just  a Load of Old Stones    Getting to grips with ALL the ancient civilisations and identifying their distinctive art and place and time.
  • A Muddy History of Britain – A Local View   The archaeology of Britain seen through the big famous sites and your own sites near you
  • Digging Deeper in Pompeii with the Muddy Archaeologist 
  • Latin Yesterday, Today & Forever  How and why Latin remained part of our lives through the centuries and today)
  • Roman Britain: What did the Romans Ever do for Us?
  • Pompeii – A Fresh Look at Frescoes  Revel in the colour and themes of beautiful wall paintings and what they tell us about Roman life and aspirations.
  • Pompeii – A Product of its Time   How an ordinary town like Pompeii is a window onto the world of the Roman Empire.
  • A selection of talks on enjoying archaeological destinations & sites including Neolithic Orkney & Shetland, Megalithic Malta, the Mycenaean World, Minoan Crete, Ancient Cyprus, Ancient Sicily, the Brave New World of Ancient Greece, Hadrian’s Wall, Pompeii & related sites, Romans across their Empire, the Romans in your area,  and many others.  View a recent talk on the archaeology of Jarlshof, Shetland here.
• Talks also available on specialist themes:
  • Your Profession
  • Animals in the ancient world – myths, uses, folklore, rich images …
    Options include: Bee-keeping; Birds; Pets; Sea Life;
    Plus: Latin Names Brought to Life
  • Classical literature & authors (an overview guide or focus on any one, such as Homer, Greek playwrights, Pliny, Cicero, Ovid, Virgil, Horace, Catullus, Suetonius, Vitruvius …);
  • Greek & Roman mythology;
  • Ancient philosophy – How the Romans Saw the World;
  • Latin inscriptions;
  • Sailing the Wine Dark Sea, and more
  • Contact me to arrange a talk for your society   Tel. 07860 637301

For more details please email gillian@muddyarchaeologist.co.uk.

Of course, I would look forward very much to seeing you at any of the public talks – see here.

I’m also happy to travel to deliver a course near you:  one-day, weekend, one-week options.

Book now for a talk by the Muddy Archaeologist

Gillian Hovell is an Arts Society Accredited Lecturer

Vast and varied Arts Society Portfolio of Talks and Study Days available here

It’s always a pleasure to hear from you!

Requests, comments, feedback … just write to me at the address below or:

Phone me on 01423 203516 or 07860 637301

Or email me: mailto:gillian@muddyarchaeologist.co.uk