Monuments in Motion. Monday 15 November 2010

Professor Rosemary Cramp FBA in conversation with Dr Barbara Crawford FRSE

The linking of history and archaeology - or in this instance, monuments and artefacts - is explored in this special 'in conversation' talk. Approaches to understanding the beliefs and attitudes of medieval man and woman have broadened and we are no longer restricted to the description and classification of the objects of devotion which they left behind. 'Purpose' and 'function' are usually difficult to interpret: what,for instance,is the significance of the muzzled bears carved at each end of the house-shaped so-called 'hogback' tomb covers which the Viking settlers of North England and South Scotland chose to use as grave covers? Are the elaborately carved high crosses specific to the British Isles and Ireland?

Rosemary Cramp FBA is Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at Durham University.She is the co-ordinator of Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture,(published by the British Academy)and author of 3 volumes in the series. Her publications concern Early Medieval ecclesiastical settlements, sculpture and window glass.

Barbara Crawford FRSE is Honorary Reader in History at the University of St Andrews.Her research interests encompass the medieval Norse earldom of Orkney and the Viking settlement archaeology of Scotland, with a recent diversion into the cult of St Clement of Rome in England and Scandinavia.