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<\/h3>\nGlastonbury means different things to different people. Many Christians believe that it\u2019s the site of the earliest church in Britain, allegedly founded in the first century by Joseph of Arimathea. For others, it\u2019s the epicentre of the New Age community in Britain, drawn by Glastonbury\u2019s rich mythic associations with King Arthur. And now, thanks to the work of a Reading academic, the Abbey\u2019s history has been brought to life and its future secured.<\/p>\n
A partnership between Professor Roberta Gilchrist and the trustees of Glastonbury Abbey has harnessed archaeological archives to ask new research questions, making for better understanding and conservation of the heritage site and creating an enhanced visitor experience.<\/p>\n
Extensive excavations took place at the Abbey between 1904 and 1979 but these remained unpublished, fuelling contested opinions about date of origin, legend and historical fact. Understanding of the Abbey\u2019s archaeology was impeded, limiting approaches to interpretation and conservation. It was also a barrier to economic growth for the heritage site, shutting the door on permissions from the statutory authorities for any new excavations or developments.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nBut this challenge also provided rich opportunity for research collaboration and co-creation.\u00a0The Abbey\u2019s secrets could be unlocked, to enhance the quality of interpretation, enrich visitor experience and support the development of new visitor facilities.<\/p>\n
In 2006,\u00a0the Abbey\u2019s trustees invited\u00a0Professor Gilchrist \u2013 a leading expert in\u00a0medieval monastic archaeology \u2013 to enter into a research partnership. The aim was ambitious: to reassess and reinterpret all known archaeological records from 36 seasons of excavations, utilise them for the Abbey\u2019s benefit and make the results available to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole organisation has been involved with the research \u2013 staff, volunteers and trustees\u201d, says Janet Bell, Director of Glastonbury Abbey. \u201cIt has transformed our understanding of the archaeology and helped us to shape our vision for the future.\u00a0It has given us a tangible history, a roadmap, a structure and story that is based on evidence specific to the Abbey.\u201d<\/p>\n
The collaborative project unveiled\u00a0new evidence demonstrating the scale and significance of the Anglo-Saxon monastery and the later medieval Abbey. It found new evidence for occupation on the site dating to the fifth or sixth centuries, and the re-dating of a unique glass furnace complex to the late seventh century (previously believed to be tenth century).<\/p>\n
It\u00a0also revealed distinctive features associated with the abbey\u2019s legends, notably a sustained ritual focus on the presumed site of the \u2018old church\u2019, believed to have been founded by Joseph of Arimathea, and the associated burial ground connected by legend to King Arthur.<\/p>\n
The impact has been far-reaching. Abbey staff, volunteers and trustees have a greater understanding of the\u00a0international significance of\u00a0<\/em>the\u00a0site, contributing to policy for conservation, collections and interpretation. Visitors enjoy an improved experience and local schools are engaging with innovative educational opportunities focusing on the archaeology. Increased understanding of the legends has also been valued by the Abbey\u2019s diverse range of spiritual stakeholders.\u00a0There is now a focus on future work, with the archaeological research informing\u00a0plans for a new museum, educational and archive facilities, as well as new interpretation of the Abbey ruins.<\/p>\n