Archaeology - the material traces of past human lives - is a treasure trove for imagining other ways of living and interacting with the world. Earthworks and material vestiges all have important stories to tell, from the lumps and bumps of ancient field boundaries, to fragments of pottery, bones, plants, insects, molluscs, and soils. Archaeology often works best when it tacks backs and forth in time. And in the context of current climate change challenges, it can stitch together evidence from momentary actions and long-term processes to reveal the fragilities and strengths of relationships between people and environments. The past therefore offers fresh perspectives on landscape change now, and archaeology can play a key role in urgent efforts to involve diverse audiences in restoring nature and building biodiverse and resilient future landscapes.
The Archaeology in Wilding @ Knepp workshop marks the end of a year-long collaboration between archaeologists from Oxford Archaeology and Historic England, creative practitioners Miranda Creswell and Rose Ferraby, and wilding experts at Knepp Castle Estate, West Sussex and Hepple Wilds, Northumberland as part of the UKRI-funded ‘Rewilding’ Later Prehistory project. We are gathering a diverse group of specialists and practitioners to share knowledge and guide future research. There will be plenty of time for conversation and for exploring Knepp's now nature intense landscape, alongside great talks showcasing exciting outcomes from archaeological work in nature recovery settings, hands on workshops, a pop-up archaeology in wilding safari, and fantastic local food. Our aim is to awaken both archaeologists and diverse nature recovery practitioners to the inspirational potential of archaeology in wilding - for people, for wildlife and for imagining change.
Image ©Knepp Castle Estate
Workshop Dates: 10 - 12th September 2025
Workshop Location: New Barn Farm Knepp Castle Estate
Outline Programme: Archaeology in Wilding
Session Speakers & Panellists: Speakers and Panellists (check back regularly as this page is updated)
Practical Workshops: Themed Workshops
Accommodation: Glamping and Camping
Food: Knepp Wilding Kitchen; Hepple Spirits
Contact for general queries: rewilding@oxfordarchaeology.com
Our socials: @rewildinglaterprehistory; @rewildarch.bsky.social; @kneppwilding; @kneppwilding.bsky.social
Due to the small venue, and in order to facilitate multidisciplinary discussion, the workshop is by invitation only.
Image ©Oxford Archaeology
Anwen Cooper
Anwen leads the UKRI-funded ‘Rewilding’ later prehistory project team at Oxford Archaeology. Her interest in archaeological wildlife was sparked in 2004 when she excavated three pole-axed auroch skulls from the base of a 4000-year-old agricultural watering hole in Bedfordshire. She is inspired by the power of past landscapes and objects to reveal unexpected stories that cast new light on current social and environmental challenges.
Miranda Creswell
Miranda, an artist, has been working with archaeologists at the University of Oxford and beyond for the last 15 years. Over this time, she has been continually interested in capturing movement in landscape, humans and animals. Alongside work on the ‘Rewilding’ project, she is collaborating on the ERC-funded HorsePower in Mongolia and China project.
Rose Ferraby
Rose is an archaeologist and artist based in North Yorkshire. Her trans-disciplinary artwork - drawing on research and practice in archaeology, geology, ecology and nature recovery - often explores the relationship between people and landscape through time. She is interested in how to inspire people and create ways in which they can imagine past and future worlds.
Jonathan Last
Jonathan is a prehistorian and landscape archaeologist who has worked in various roles for Historic England (formerly English Heritage) since 2001. He is currently Landscape Strategy Adviser in the Archaeological Investigation team, with an interest, among other things, in how the historic and natural environment can be better integrated in policy and practice.
Matt Phelps
Matt is the Lead Ecologist at Knepp and an avid birder and all-round naturalist. He studied countryside management and ecology at agricultural college and has worked for the National Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust and various private estates, managing landscapes for wildlife, enthusing others about the natural world and advocating for rewilding and the return of lost and declining species. He writes regular articles for nature publications and reviews bird records both for eBird and as a member of the Sussex Ornithological Society Records Committee.
Tina Roushannafas
Tina is the main postdoctoral researcher on the UKRI-funded ‘Rewilding’ later prehistory project team at Oxford Archaeology. Her research interests include the uses of wild plants, diversification and resilience in crop cultivation and open science practices. She is keen to develop ways of linking and interpretating archaeological and ecological data.
