Before the 1920s, ‘Wessex’ generally referred either to the Ango-Saxon kingdom or the fictional setting of many of Thomas Hardy’s best-known novels. By the mid-1930s it was a geographically distinct and culturally significant fixture of British prehistory. How did this happen? Drawing on a range of archival sources, including material in the collections of the Wiltshire Museum, this talk will look at the key role played by OGS Crawford, and particularly his work as the Ordnance Survey’s first Archaeological Officer and his pioneering use of aerial photographs. However, Tess of the D’Urbervilles won’t be completely overlooked.

Martyn works for Historic England.

Our Saturday afternoon lectures commence at 2.30pm and last approx. one hour, with time for questions.