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Alex Langlands gained a BA and MA Hons in Medieval Archaeology at University College London, where he is currently continuing his part-time PhD research.
His research in archaeology and history have taken him to the deepest corners of the UK and Europe. He splits his working life between desk research, poking aroundwith a trowel in his hand and being a prolific lecturer in his subject.
Not surprisingly Alex was chosen to feature in the BBC’s much lauded ‘Tales from the Green Valley’ which involved him spending a year immersed in the world of 17th century farming and learning the ancients skills of thatching, dry stone walling, coppicing, harrowing. . . you name it.
Without question it was thatching that captured Alex’s imagination.
Another master in his field, Exmoor Thatcher Keith Payne was also featured on the BBC program, teaching Alex to thatch. Keith explained that the first base coat of thatch often survives having been preserved by layers of thatch laid over the centuries. Alex realised the enormous potential for archaeological research into thatch and immediately embarked on several projects.
He has recently collaborated with the Exmoor Thatchers in excavating roofs in the Holnicote Estate. And has inspired Keith to become a man with a mission to get to get to the bottom of the history of thatching, which until now has been largely based on assumption.
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