Henry Chapman

Professor Henry Chapman is a Professor of Archaeology in the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Birmingham. His academic career spans decades of research focused on later prehistoric periods, particularly examining human-environment interactions within past landscapes, with special emphasis on wetland sites. Chapman has established himself as a leading expert in the application of digital technologies for archaeological modeling and analysis.

Education:

• BA from University of Exeter
• PhD from University of Hull

Chapman's research interests center on the relationships between human activity and environmental change within past landscapes, with particular focus on wetland sites. He specializes in digital technologies for modeling and analysis, including GPS, laser scanning, geophysics, and GIS. His work bridges traditional archaeological methods with cutting-edge digital approaches, extending to applications within galleries, museums, libraries and archives. A significant portion of his research examines European bog bodies and their cultural contexts, as well as the Stonehenge landscape.

Analysis of Chapman's recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach combining palaeoenvironmental analyses, chronological modeling, excavation, and GIS analysis. His work demonstrates consistent focus on digital heritage applications and wetland archaeology, with significant contributions to understanding prehistoric landscapes through technological innovation.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA)

Chapman actively supervises postgraduate students across diverse topics including digital approaches to conflict archaeology, landscape archaeology of European bog bodies, predictive modeling of Bronze Age Anatolia using GIS, and the archaeology of Neolithic and Iron Age sites. His research has been supported by significant grants from Historic England and JISC, demonstrating his ability to secure competitive funding for archaeological projects. He has led multiple substantial projects including the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project and investigations of peatland archaeology.

Chapman maintains an active presence in public archaeology, having worked extensively with media outlets including Channel 4's Time Team and appearing as an expert contributor for Discovery, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and National Geographic. His current research continues to push boundaries in digital archaeology while maintaining strong connections to fundamental questions about human-environment relationships in prehistory.