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On 8 May, a centurio or so of Roman archaeologists and enthusiasts gathered in the Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle to launch Hadrian’s Wall in our Time. The book is a response to the cutting down of the tree in Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall on 27 September. David Breeze invited 80 friends and colleagues to write about their favourite place on Hadrian’s Wall. The result is a wide-ranging group of personal contributions about the Wall, its artefacts and records, including a new composition for the Northumbrian pipes, Mind the Gap, played at the launch.

Above: David Breeze, centre, with Mike Schurer and Ben Heaney of Archaeopress with Hadrian’s Wall in our Time. Photo © Pete Savin.Below Left: Mark Richards, whose superb line drawings are included throughout the book, at the launch. Photos © Pete Savin.

Nick Merriman, Chief Executive of English Heritage, writes ‘I greatly welcome the publication of Hadrian’s Wall in our Time. This superbly illustrated book demonstrates the affection which so many people hold for Hadrian’s Wall. English Heritage has been involved in the care of this great Roman frontier for 100 years and I am delighted that we continue to play our part in its protection, presentation and interpretation’.

Chris Snook, formerly of Archaeology Plus Books, comments, ‘this will be seen as a snapshot of the Wall and its hinterland through the eyes of the early 21^st century, which will ensure that it will be an “evergreen” title’.

Hadrian’s Wall in our Time is available at www.archaeopress.com

Rob Collins being congratulated by his fellow archaeologists on his promotion to Professor of Roman Frontier Studies. Photo © Pete Savin.

Sincerest thanks to David for writing up the book launch for the Archaeopress Blog, and to Pete Savin for generously providing all photographs. If you would like to contribute an article relating to an archaeological or heritage-based topic, please contact info@archaeopress.com

Hadrian’s Wall in our Time edited by David J. Breeze, with illustrations by Mark B. Richards. Foreword by Rory Stewart.

The cutting down of the tree in Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall caused widespread shock. In a positive response to this sad event, David Breeze invited 80 friends and colleagues to offer personal reflections on their favourite view of the Wall, presented here in a visual celebration with photographs and specially commissioned line drawings. READ MORE

Paperback: £24.99