Our Team

Alan Brown, MA: Project Director

My interest in archaeology was sparked when I answered the call for volunteers to work on the Priory site at Norton Priory in Runcorn. I was 13 years old and on summer holidays from school, I was lost for something to do, so off I went to become a volunteer. I was hooked. My interest in archaeology continued into my adulthood. I worked as a volunteer researcher on the Archaeometry project at Daresbury Laboratory. I played a major part in setting up a database of diffraction patterns of ceramics and clays.

I work at the STFC Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire in the site operations department. From November 2002 to August 2008 I was a station scientist on the SRS (Synchrotron Radiation Source) at Daresbury. The SRS was switched off for the last time on the 18th August 2008 after providing 28 years of scientific support for cutting-edge research. The SRS was the world’s first designated Synchrotron Radiation Source. Now the world has over 70 thanks to the research and development done at Daresbury. LONG LIVE THE MEMORY OF THE SRS.

The Poulton Research Project
In 1998, while collecting samples and processing data for the database, I made contact with Peter Peers at the Poulton Research Project site in Cheshire. After spending a day or two at the site, I realised how important it was, and the impact it could have on the history of Cheshire. In 2000 I was introduced to the science of archaeo-geophysics (thanks to Mr Chris Holder of the Poulton Research Project, a very able teacher). I have carried out two main surveys and numerous small surveys at Poulton (http://www.poultonproject.org). I have also carried out one survey under the license of CADW and one survey under the license of English Heritage.

Caer Alyn Archaeological and Heritage Project (CAAHP)
In October of 2003, I was asked by Mr Phil Cox to evaluate a site for geo-physics. The site is possibly an Iron Age hill fort with what appears to be a Bronze Age tumulus close by. The site is located in northeast Wales (approximately 4 miles from the border of England and Wales). My first visit to the site impressed me very much. I was invited to become part of the project management team shortly after. I was elected by the Management Committee as Scientific Adviser for Geophys and Environmental on 27th March 2004.

In December 2014, a restructuring of the site lead to the creation of the Caer Alyn Archaeological Project, of which I was elected as Project Director. This new project is starting to move the focus towards more academic archaeological research.

Other Information
I have an interest in experimental archaeology, which fits in well with my interest in ceramics and clays.

In 1999 and then again in 2000, I attempted to recreate a Roman up-draft kiln, but both attempts failed. Kiln 1 failed due to very high temperatures during condition firing (the floor collapsed) and Kiln 2, in 2000, failed due to bovine curiosity (the cows trampled it down, a case of curiosity killed the kiln). Kiln number 3 was constructed and fired on the 19th of August 2006 and was a resounding success with a total of 30 pots fired and only 3 wasters.

In 2013 we constructed a clay bread oven based on a design discovered at Armana, Egypt. Our plan was to fire some reconstructed Egyptian faience. The attempt was partially successful with the faience coming out of the kiln with a nice pale blue colour. This project was filmed by Manchester Museum and can be seen in their upper Egyptian gallery. In 2014, a second kiln proved even more successful, with the attainment of glazing on the surface of the faience, in addition to a richer blue colouring.

Other Interests
Ancient Egypt (The New Kingdom)
When I was 13 years old, Mum and Dad bought me the book “The Tomb of Tutankhamen” by Howard Carter. I have been hooked ever since.

Geology
Found a fossil on a beach in Cornwall, I was captured hook line and sinker!

Archaeometry
Scientific investigation of archaeological materials.
Alan can be contacted by email at alynb30@gmail.com.

 

Annabelle Rogers, BA, MA

Annabelle is our historical researcher.

Historical Research
I have been working at Caer Alyn since December 2003, when the first archaeological project was established. Previously, I volunteered at the Poulton Research Project in Chester.

I am a keen but very amateur archaeologist! I have also taken part in most of the geophysical surveys carried out at Caer Alyn. However, my training is in history; I have a B.A. in English & History from the University of Wales, Bangor, and an MA in Landscape, Society & Heritage from the University of Chester. I have therefore focused much of my time at Caer Alyn on historical and landscape research. I drew this research together in a monograph which was published in 2009 entitled ‘Caer Alyn: A Border Landscape’. Since then, I have continued to explore historical sources to try to shed more light on Caer Alyn’s fascinating past and local history in general, while also taking an active part in all archaeological and geophysical projects.

 

Karen Morrell, BA, MA (University of Chester)

 

I have been involved at Caer Alyn since 2004 when Alan Brown invited my husband Colin and me to come along after we expressed our interest in archaeology. We have been volunteers since, and I have run the young archaeology group (CAYA) since 2007 until September 2017. In 2011, I completed an archaeology degree at the University of Chester and, subsequently, have an MA in the Archaeology of Death and Memory from the University of Chester. I am particularly interested in the local history and archaeology of my local area in Cheshire as well as Caer Alyn. Like Annabelle, I continue to take an active part in the present projects.

 

Lu Stanton-Karczewska, BA, MA (Nott Trent)

I’m a late developer in terms of answering the question “what do you want to do with your life?”.

I completed a BA in English with Creative Writing in 2009 and went on to gain the Masters in Creative Writing in 2010. I returned to study in November 2017, and I’m currently in my third year of a part-time Archaeology degree with the University of Leicester. If I’m honest, I’ve always wanted to be an archaeologist, but my decisions at 18 years old led me down a different path. I’m now in the fortunate position of being able to do the do.

I reside in Yorkshire but work at Caer Alyn as a field archaeologist on a regular basis. I’ve been with the team since April 2018 and the experience has been invaluable. I have a particular interest in prehistoric burial and funerary rites, gender in archaeology and revisiting women’s history. I am the designer and maintenance-bod for the database and the Caer Alyn website.

I’ve worn many hats so far in my life: I spent 4 years as a support worker for adults with autism and severe challenging behaviour, have been self-employed as an editor and hold qualifications in debt advice. I currently work as a data analyst (lots of spreadsheets!). One day, I would love to invest in something similar to ‘Archaeologists for Autism’ (based in the US) for the therapeutic and educational support of children and adults.
Lu can be reached by email at lustantonkarczewska@gmail.com.

 

Laura O’Day