Interview: Phil Harding!

So, the flint knapping workshop went fabulously well - a great turnout and everyone enjoyed it. The night was a long one in the Scholar's Rest from what I hear, but Phil made it back safe to the airport very early the next morning! :)
Before it got too late, we asked him a few quick questions.....

How did your career start?
Digging at school. When I left school, I got a job in a puppet factory but I continued to dig during the holidays. That was Southampton in September 1971.

What would you say your defining moment was, career-wise?
Receiving my doctorate. I was awarded it and I never went to University!

Do you watch yourself on the T.V.? 
Yes, I watch each programme once. You want to see how your contribution fits. I don't watch the repeats.

Have you got any advice for our aspiring archaeologists? 
Work hard and never give up - at least, not until you have to. This was advice given to me before.

What are you currently working on?
Farndon Fields, just outside of Newark-on-Trent [Nottinghamshire, UK], a late paleolithic flint scatter which marks the place where someone knapped flint. It's pretty much unique. Obviously as a flint knapper to be able to see where a flint knapper from that time sat, it's as close as I can get to standing over his shoulder.

What's your favourite dinosaur?
T. Rex! This is as I dug one up in Hellcreek, Montana.

Archsoc would really like to thank Phil Harding for his workshop. It was a pleasure and an honour for us to meet him. We were glad to be able to give this opportunity to our members - thank you all for turning up to make our events so much fun!

Just a quickie!

We have had a very busy and VERY fun couple of weeks. Cumann Stáire have been our best buddies with our four-day 'Aiséirí' event (this was a fab week of medieval dress up and games as well as interesting workshops and talks. The yummy food was not to be forgotten, either!). We teamed up with them again for the successful Roaring 20's Speakeasy. A great night was had by all in Busker Brownes! There were a couple of misplaced flappers stumbling around Charcoal Grill afterwards, I'm sure :)
This is just a quick update with what's to come next: Phil Harding's flint knapping workshop, wooohooo!!! Hopefully we can squeeze in a little interview afterwards!
Marion Dowd is coming to chat about Moneen Cave too on Tuesday - fingers crossed for an interview there too! We will do our best. Stay tuned, bloggers :)