The Department of Classical and Archaeological Studies is delighted to announce that alumnus Andrew Ratcliff has won the Joan Thirsk Prize awarded for the best MA dissertation or long essay on a subject related to Kent history, heritage or archaeology submitted at any HE Institution. The prize is awarded every two years by the Kent Archaeological Society and includes the offer to publish his study in its journal.
Andrew completed his Master’s in Roman History and Archaeology in 2018 and the Department nominated him for this prize having read and marked his dissertation entitled ‘What can we deduce about the ownership of Eccles Roman villa and its place in the social and economic development of the Medway valley and the civitas Cantiacorum?’
Dr Steve Willis, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology in the Department of Classical and Archaeological Studies, said of Andrew’s achievement: “Whilst this was open to a study on any subject related to Kent history and archaeology it seems very apt in this case given Andrew’s study was on a rural Roman villa as the late Dr Thirsk was an expert in agricultural and rural history. Andrew excelled in his academic work with us, which balances his acquisition of practical field skills learned in recent years on our training digs.”