Archaeologist Simon James will give a lecture, “Isle of Druids and Celtic Warriors? Britain on the Eve of Roman Invasion” Monday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. in Art Building West on the University of Iowa campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Britain on the eve of invasion by Rome 2,000 years ago is often seen as a mysterious land, populated by warrior heroes and druid priests, its dark forests the scene of hideous and bloody rites. These peoples are commonly thought to have been relatively recent Celtic invaders from continental Europe.

Such views—largely inherited from the imperial invaders and further refracted through modern nationalist histories—have been profoundly challenged in recent decades by a massive effort of archaeological investigation into the last phase of British prehistory: the Iron Age (c. eighth century BC to first century AD).

James holds a doctorate from the London Institute of Archaeology, now part of University College, London. Following the receipt of his degree he worked at the British Museum, first as an archaeological illustrator and then as a museum educator, responsible for programs relating to the later prehistoric and Roman collections.

He joined the University of Durham in January 2000, was promoted to senior lecturer and subsequently reader. In April 2012, he was awarded a personal chair. James is currently the school's director of research.

This lecture is part of a spring 2014 series sponsored by the Iowa Society of the Archaeological Institute of America.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to attend this lecture, contact Mark Anderson in advance at mark-l-anderson@uiowa.edu or at 319-384-0998.