Arnold Aspinall – International Society for Archaeological Prospection

Arnold as “family”

I was a close friend of Arnold’s from 1961 when I joined the Physics staff at the then Bradford College of Advanced Technology. During the 1960s, when the College transformed to University, Arnold developed his interests in Prospection and, with me, in Physical Analysis of archaeological materials. When, about 1970, Bradford University was given leave to expand while maintaining a 60/40 Science/Arts ratio we put to Gordon Brown that you could teach much of Physics through its application to archaeology.

It was a privilege Arnold

I will always remember my first meeting with Arnold when he interviewed me for a place on the undergraduate course at Bradford. He made ‘Arch Sci’ sound exciting and something I could do. He must have spoken to hundreds of potential students by then but I was struck by his enthusiasm and passion. All I can say is that was a privilege to have had Arnold as a teacher.

40 years a friend and a TimeTeam star…

Very sad news that Arnold Aspinall – former Head of Archaeological Sciences at Bradford University and probably the most respected, but understated, archaeological geophysicist – passed away on 9th April 2013. He was a true gentleman in all respects; a quiet academic, who stood head and shoulders above others in his field. He was largely, if not wholly, responsible for the position geophysics now holds in archaeology in Britain and Ireland. He was also a key player in keeping alive (at its time) the most innovative archaeological science department in the UK; probably the world.

A Great Inspirer

I was very saddened to hear of Arnold’s death, he was an inspiration to so many people with his enthusiasm for all aspects of life. Despite having achieved so much himself, he was always interested in the news and views of others. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to arrive at Bradford University without exactly the expected qualifications. The interview involved a piece of timber from Sheffield Manor House, and the question of how it might be dated. A direct approach, which appealed to me and got me hooked on Archaeological Sciences and from that moment.

Arnold Aspinall – a gentleman and a scholar

I was sorry to hear of Arnold’s death but I am so glad to have met him. My first real contact with him was on Pat Philip’s excavations in Provence in 1975 where Arnold undertook the prospection – mostly by dowsing. Despite the heat he always seemed interested in what we had to say and what we did; he never let on that we might be tiresome, ignorant and not the witty folk we thought we were. He created no barriers or distance in status or knowledge and he was just so generous with his own knowledge and experience.

Geophys at Duncombe Park 2007 … Peacocks and all!

I was very sad to hear the news that Arnold has gone to the great geophysical survey ground. I got to know Arnold properly, along with Roger and Cath Walker, whilse we were surveying the area around Duncombe Park House, Helmsley. The resulting paper we produced in the Journal of Garden History built on the earlier work Arnold and Roger has undertaken at other stately homes. The weather over the weekend at Helmsley was wonderful, sunny and dry and warm. We basically had the place to ourselves, having promised the then Lord Duncombe that we wouldn’t in any way damage his croquet lawn!

Arnold was the backbone

Arnold was backbone of the department and ‘father’ to many generations of archaeologists who respected and loved him for his quiet authority, depth of knowledge, and genuine kindliness. Although the department has changed considerably since he retired his loss will be deeply felt by present as well as past staff and students no matter in what part of the world they are now living. Arnold will always be remembered as the man who first got archaeology at Bradford off the ground, developing it from a side-shoot of physics into a multi-skilled academic course.

Arnold, you will be missed

Although I knew Arnold for a little over a year when I was a post-graduate student at Bradford in 1980, he has left a lasting impression on me. His old world charm, dry wit and strong intellect, were the hallmarks of this wonderful person. Whenever we subsequently met he always had words of encouragement and would make a wry comment that made me laugh. As has been mentioned, he was a true gentleman and a scholar. Arnold you will be missed.

A FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

I first met Arnold in about 1966 when participating in a Workers Education Class to build and fire a series of medieval type kilns in the Bradford-Leeds area, and since then we have been friends and colleagues. Over the years, I frequently visited Bradford as an external examiner for the graduate and undergraduate courses that Bradford established in archaeological science, as well as as an examiner for PhD students.

Remembering Arnold

In common with the others who have shared their memories of Arnold here, I will always remember a kind, enthusiastic and supportive colleague and friend. I first met Arnold when I started work at Bradford, fresh from my PhD and realized my new desk was in his office. I approached it with some trepidation as I couldn’t imagine someone who had recently been Head of Department being keen to share with the newest recruit. I couldn’t have been more wrong. He was so generous with his space, his time and his books!