Michael Fulford

Professor Michael Fulford CBE FBA is a leading archaeologist at the University of Reading's Department of Archaeology. He specializes in Roman and Iron Age archaeology, particularly through his long-term leadership (1997-present) of the Silchester Roman Town Project, investigating the urban development of Calleva Atrebatum. His work spans fieldwork, digital publication, and interdisciplinary research, including the Silchester Environs Project and collaborations with institutions like the Archaeology Data Service and Cotswold Archaeology.

Key projects include the Silchester Insula IX excavation series (1997-2014), yielding five monographs on the site's evolution from an Iron Age oppidum to a Roman city. He has also directed the Nero and Silchester Project (2016-19) and pioneered experimental methods like gamma-ray spectroscopy for urban analysis. His research integrates economic, environmental, and social dimensions of Roman Britain, with a focus on rural settlement patterns, pottery industries, and imperial infrastructure.

Fulford's awards include the CBE (2005) for services to archaeology and Fellowship of the British Academy. He collaborates across departments, engaging with History, Classics, and Geography, and advocates for open-access publication through projects like The Rural Settlement of Roman Britain online resource. His work bridges academia and public engagement, shaping understanding of Roman urbanism and its legacy in Britain.