TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2026

POMPEII: DIGGING DEEPER WITH THE MUDDY ARCHAEOLOGIST 

GILLIAN HOVELL

Dig deeper into Pompeii with Gillian who has excavated at Oplontis in the Pompeii region. Find out what really happened in AD 79 and discover what it’s like to dig at these remarkable sites; learn how archaeologists view their amazing variety of finds that help us to touch and understand something of the very lives of individuals in this famous Roman town 2,000 years ago.

Gillian obtained a BA (Hons) in Latin and Ancient History at Exeter University, and then branched out into archaeology. Ex-BBC, lecturer for British Museum and York University, an award winning writer and author who specialises in relating the ancient world to our modern lives, in person, in the field, on line and in the media (most recently on BBC News Channel, Radio 4 Today programme and BBC World Service). Publications include Visiting the Past: A guide to finding and understanding Britain's Archaeology and Roman Britain. Forthcoming Latin Yesterday, Today and For Ever, and A Mediterranean Tour: Not just a Load of Old Stones. Teaches adult education courses in Latin, archaeology and ancient history and has publicly lectures widely and passionately, on cruises and tours and for museums such as the British Museum & Ashmolean, national press, universities, literary festivals, and diverse societies including Classical Associations, the U3A and the National Trust