James Wright, an award-winning buildings archaeologist with over 25 years of professional experience, presents his first book in more than a quarter-century exploring how to uncover the secrets hidden within Britain's ancient buildings.
Why are so many historic structures misidentified or entirely overlooked? Despite the UK's deep fascination with history, approximately 60% of the nation's 500,000 listed buildings may have been incorrectly classified. Medieval cottages hide beneath Georgian façades; Tudor houses conceal themselves behind Victorian exteriors; former castles now stand as farms. The Buildings Archaeologist serves as a practical guide to the written records, tree-ring dating, and archaeological methods that reveal a building's true age, development, and social history.
Through case studies drawn from London and beyond, Wright will explore houses, castles, churches, mills, factories, and warehouses that have remained hidden in plain sight. The evening includes a Q&A session and book signing following the presentation.
