Professor Mick Aston uncovers his personal history

Professor Aston will be familiar to many from his role presenting Channel 4's Time Team. But his achievements spread far beyond television. Professor Aston has taught at a number of universities across the country as an academic throughout the years. He has also published many books on the subject of Archaeology and is a regular contributor to British Archaeology magazine.

Pamela Jane Smith of The Personal Histories team said: “We are thrilled and honoured that Professor Mick Aston, long-term presenter from the popular television programme, Time Team, has accepted our invitation to speak to us about his many experiences and life in archaeology and television.”

The Personal Histories Project is an on-going, educational, team research initiative spearheaded by undergraduates such as David Kay and Jamie Cameron and by retired researcher Pamela Jane from the McDonald Institute, University of Cambridge. Each year senior scientists are invited to share their memories, life stories and past experiences in an intimate setting. Through their personal recollections, the goal is to better understand the development of twentieth-century science. The talks are recorded and are produced by a volunteer team. Previous talks featured in the series include conversations with Jane Goodall and David Attenborough.

Pamela Jane added, “We are so pleased to meet Professor Aston and look forward to hearing his memories and recollections of years as a practising archaeologist in the public domain. We can learn from HIS life and would like to know about his personal motivations. Now that he has resigned from Time Team, we wonder what his future plans may be.”

A conversation with Professor Mick Aston is at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research seminar room and begins 26 April at 4pm with tea. The conversation follows at 4.30pm where questions from the audience are welcomed. The conversation concludes at 5.30pm with wine and chocolates for the younger audience.

As spaces are limited, Pamela Jane Smith has advised that anyone interested in attending can secure a place by texting or calling 07976 919083, or emailing pjs1011@cam.ac.uk.