Robert M Chapple, Archaeologist

[** If you think the review is useful, please re-share via Facebook, Google+, Twitter etc. **] One of the things that you’re always told about the act of writing is, before you sit down to do it, know what you’re going to say. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a novel or a scholarly paper that you are engaged in, this is good advice. Unfortunately, I recently took this advice a little too far. Let me explain. Over the last couple of years I’ve seen the construction of the Titanic Experience building in Belfast. This ultra-modern structure was designed by Civic Arts/Eric R. Kuhne & Associates to emulate or recreate four ship's prows. The building itself is finished in a textured metal skin that is intended to further reinforce the connection to the original ships built on the site, while simultaneously giving the impression of light playing over moving water. At six stories tall, it may not be a massive addition to the Belfast skyline, but i...

[**  If you like this post, please make a donation to the IR&DD project using the button at the end.  If you think the review is useful, please re-share via Facebook, Google+, Twitter etc. **] Preface: I am delighted to welcome back Rena Maguire to the blog. Rena is an undergraduate student at QUB, in her second year. She is currently working on her undergraduate thesis: Iron Age horse harness Y pieces: function, manufacture and typologies. This sounds like a fascinating lecture, and I'm sorry that I missed it. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with Carver's denigration of the Harris Matrix. For my part, I am of the opinion that Edward Harris' Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy is the single most important archaeological book ever published. I do agree with his point that a thorough knowledge of its workings does not make an archaeologist, but it was never intended to! The Harris Matrix was only ever conceived of as one of a variety of rese...