Professor Paul Bennett

As the Director of Canterbury Archaeological Trust, Paul has overseen numerous archaeological excavations both in this country and abroad. In addition to his main interest in the archaeology of Kent, he is an expert in classical Libyan civilisation, having worked in the country over several decades. More recently, he has expanded his overseas interests to northern Iraq, investigating the region’s prehistory. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge regarding Canterbury’s archaeology and history, and his passion for the subject has inspired professionals and amateurs alike, which was recognised in 2017 when he was awarded an MBE.

Investigating a medieval stone building

During this tour of the Canterbury’s Poor Priests’ Hospital, Paul Bennett will offer participants a master class in how to look for clues to understand how this building developed from c.1200 until the end of the Middle Ages. Furthermore, he has undertaken archaeological excavations on parts of the building and has written articles about its development including an understanding of how the orientation of the great hall was changed radically in the post-Black Death period.