We are sorry to learn of the death of Mick Aston aged 66. Mick was a trustee of Cotswold Archaeology for 14 years, and continued to be a staunch supporter of our activities after leaving the Board in 2004. For many Mick will be best known as one of the leading public faces of archaeology due to his work over 18 years on Channel 4’s Time Team programme. However he achieved many other things in his career: in particular he was instrumental in building up archaeology teaching in Bristol University’s adult education department, and was also a leading scholar in medieval archaeology. Mick always had a special love for the post-Roman archaeology of his adopted Somerset, and only recently was in touch with us about the possible sunken-featured building which we excavated at Hinkley Point – a rarity in those parts.
Chief Executive Neil Holbrook said “Mick had an infectious enthusiasm for archaeology. The archaeology was always his paramount concern – he was much less interested in the business side of things. I worked with Mick on a number of Time Team programmes over the years and my abiding memories are not of what we filmed on camera, but the chats we had over a glass of wine at the end of the day. He was always interested in what Cotswold Archaeology was up to, and ready with suggestions and ideas on how we could make more of our discoveries. He was a true friend”.
In 2014 we christened our Annual Lecture event the Mick Aston Annual Lecture in memory of Mick Aston.
