When the UK went into the pandemic lockdown, I decided to supplement my blogging with an Archaeodeath YouTube channel to provide a weekly discussion point on mortuary archaeology and archaeologies of memory and monthly updates on my blog and other research and teaching endeavours. My work on linear earthworks fed into multiple playlists, from ‘Archaeodeath Debates‘, ‘Field Reports‘ and ‘Publication Reviews‘ to my ‘Archaeohacks‘ and ‘Interviews and Conversations‘, as well as of course my ‘Archaeodeath Monthly Reviews‘.
Indeed, a prime motive for starting the YouTube channel was to provide a platform for the ‘Special Offa: Communities and Offa’s Dyke’ public conference on 4 April 2020 which was combined with a multi-video ‘Trefonen Special Offa Tragical History Tour.’ Beyond that, I’ve also created a channel for my ‘Public Talks and Lectures’, because during the lockdown I have continue to participate in academic conferences and webinars, but also to deliver public presentations via Zoom and other media.
So when I was invited to give a talk recently to the Holt Local History Society, almost 7 years since I last spoke to them in January 2014 I decided that, rather than present to them via Zoom on Thursday 26 November, I’d provide them with 2 YouTube lectures to watch beforehand.
This worked really well, I feel, since the actual evening lecture comprised merely a 10-15-minute synopsis by me, followed by a lengthy, informed and constructive discussion with insightful questions by the audience. I was also able to promote links to open-access publications in the Offa’s Dyke Journal, so those interested can read up further about what we know, what we don’t know, and why certain pseudoarcheaologies about Wat’s Dyke are flawed. It also gave them resources to watch again and for others to view, not reliant on internet connection speeds on the evening of the talk itself.
In the talks, I explore what was Wat’s Dyke in the Early Middle Ages, and what it means to us today. Savour!
Archaeo𝔡𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔥 