People
Dr Gavin Speed
Project Manager
School/Department: Â鶹ÊÓƵ Archaeological Services (ULAS)
Telephone: +44 (0)116 252 2848
Email: gs50@leicester.ac.uk
Profile
Gavin is a Project Manager at ULAS, he has over 20 years of archaeological experience, having directed and managed a range of archaeological projects both in the UK and abroad. He is experienced in many aspects of archaeological fieldwork and research. He has particular expertise in British urban archaeology, and Late Roman / early Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Gavin gained a BA Archaeology European Union; MA Archaeology and Heritage Management, and PhD at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. He joined ULAS in 2001, working on various archaeological projects throughout the East Midlands. One of his key projects included directing one of the largest excavations ever in Leicester at Great Central Street. This uncovered Roman , buildings, and a . He is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.
Gavin has published the results of his fieldwork and academic study widely, and to a range of audiences, through monographs, peer-reviewed articles in national and local journals, and popular archaeology publications. This includes a book entitled ‘’ that celebrates over 25 years of discoveries by ULAS. Gavin compiles the annual round up of all archaeological work in Leicestershire and Rutland for . He promotes archaeology to the general public, having taught students, and regularly provides talks to local societies and schools.
Research
Gavin has a research interest in British archaeology, particularly the transition from Late Roman to early Anglo-Saxon Britain. He has produced several books and articles informed by his fieldwork experience, along with 100s of archaeology reports. His research is in addition to a busy project management role within ULAS.
See publications tab for key books and articles.
Publications
Gavin has published the results of his fieldwork and academic study widely, and to a range of audiences, through monographs, peer-reviewed articles in national and local journals, and popular archaeology publications.
Key publications include:
Books:
The Anglo-Saxon Settlement at Eye Kettleby, Leicestershire (2024)
The early Anglo-Saxon settlement at Eye Kettleby, is the largest excavated in the region, and one of only a few sites of similar size of this type in England. This volume presents the results of the 1990s excavations at the site by Â鶹ÊÓƵ Archaeological Services. These have helped transform understandings of this period, both in the region and more widely, allowing improved recognition of the structural evidence, and better understanding of the material culture.
The results are brought together to analyse the development and character of the settlement, and the nature of the activities undertaken there. The book concludes by reviewing Eye Kettleby’s place in the early Anglo-Saxon landscape of Leicestershire and Rutland and assesses its significance in the broader context of Anglo-Saxon England, with some implications for future settlement studies of this period.
(2020)
A celebration of over 25 years of discoveries by Â鶹ÊÓƵ Archaeological Services.
Towns in the Dark: Urban Transformations from Late Roman Britain to Anglo-Saxon England (2014)
What became of towns following the official end of 'Roman Britain' at the beginning of the 5th century AD? This research offers detailed analysis, review, and comparisons, that generate models for 'urban' change in England from AD 300-600. 'Towns in the Dark' dispels the simplistic myth of outright urban decline and failure after Rome, and demonstrates that life in towns often did continue with variable degrees of continuity and discontinuity.
(2010)
A monograph contains papers from an international conference. Topics focused on new studies, debates, and interpretations on changing urban forms from A.D. 300-800 in a range of European countries and themes that highlight the diverse and varied research currently underway.
Articles:
[with N. Cooper & J. Pearce] Britannia, 2021.
. Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society 84, 2010, 27 - 75.
. Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society 85, 2011, 73 – 96.
. Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society 89, 2015, 1-36.
. Northamptonshire Archaeology 38, 2015, 53-71.
. Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society 92, 2018, 15-64.
Gavin compiles the annual round up of all archaeological work in Leicestershire and Rutland for .
Many excavation reports are also available on ADS: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/library/search/
Supervision
Roman and Anglo-Saxon Leicester and Leicestershire.
Teaching
Roman and Anglo-Saxon Leicester and Leicestershire.
Press and media
Roman and Anglo-Saxon Leicester and Leicestershire
Qualifications
Archaeological Project Manager (2020-) Â鶹ÊÓƵ Archaeological Services
Formerly Project Officer (2013-2020), Senior Supervisor (2005-2013), Archaeological Assistant (2002-2005)
PhD (2013)
MA Archaeology and Heritage Management (2005)
BA Archaeology (European Union) (2002)
Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.