New cathedral archaeologist joins Salisbury Cathedral team
Alfred Hawkins excited to help preserve the historic building
Salisbury Cathedral has welcomed Alfred Hawkins as its new cathedral archaeologist.
Alfred says he's dreamed of working in historic preservation and describes the opportunity as a significant milestone in his career.
“It is an absolutely beautiful cathedral and I’m hugely excited to be a very small part of the amazing team that looks after this incredible space,” he said.
As the cathedral archaeologist, Alfred will advise the governing body, known as the chapter, on all archaeological matters.
His responsibilities include overseeing both the masonry above ground and the “dirt archaeology” beneath the surface.
“This cathedral has evolved over the years and will continue to evolve,” Hawkins said. “Being able to contribute to the team that looks after this place is a huge responsibility, but also just very exciting as well.”
Why Salisbury Cathedral stands out
Having studied many religious sites, Alfred believes Salisbury Cathedral is exceptional due to its architectural unity.
“It is the most unified of all of the cathedrals in the country, built over a relatively short period," he explained. "This cathedral gives us a fantastic insight into the 13th century and what cathedrals from that era would have looked like before pieces were added over time, which is often the case with other cathedrals.”
Alfred acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with preserving such a historic site but expressed enthusiasm about helping ensure it continues to inspire future generations of worshippers and visitors alike.
The Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, has also welcomed Alfred to the Cathedral team, saying: “Salisbury Cathedral is committed to the expert care of all its built heritage. Alfred’s work with us will be vital to this endeavour. I welcome him to the Cathedral team and look forward to everything we will accomplish together”.