Julian Thomas

Julian Thomas is a Professor of Archaeology at The University of Manchester, based in the Department of Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Egyptology within the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures. He specializes in Neolithic archaeology, theory and philosophy of archaeology, and landscape studies. His research focuses on Neolithic Britain and Europe, material culture, and the intersection of archaeology with modernity. He has led major projects such as the Stonehenge Riverside Project and excavations at Dorstone Hill, Herefordshire.

Education: BA (Hons) in Archaeological Sciences (Bradford University, 1981), MA in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy (Sheffield University, 1982), PhD in Archaeology (Sheffield University, 1986).

Research Interests: Theory of archaeology, Neolithic Britain, archaeology of place and landscape, material culture, phenomenology, and the 'new materialisms'.

Notable Projects: Dorstone Hill Neolithic Landscape Project, Stonehenge Riverside Project, and contributions to the Chaco Landscapes white paper. He has authored over 115 publications, including books like Neolithic Britain: The Transformation of Social Worlds and Time, Culture and Identity.

Awards: Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (2012), multiple teaching awards at Manchester University, and significant grants including £472,751 for the AHRC Stonehenge Riverside Project (2005–2010).

Teaching and Mentorship: Recognized for inspiring lectures and supervision, with courses on archaeology theory, Neolithic Britain, and the history of archaeology. External examining roles at universities including Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with international institutions, including the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and the World Archaeological Congress. Editorships of journals like Journal of Material Culture and Time and Mind.