Today, we lost one of the greats. Mick Aston was well-known and well-loved: for his scholarship, for his commitment to archaeology and indefatigable individuality. It is impossible to quantify his contribution to archaeology in the UK, and the ripple effect it will have for generations to come.
At DV HQ, there is sadness as several of our team had spent over a decade with him on Time Team. But what has emerged from remembrances is less sadness, more laughter and an appreciation for his inspirational personality: sometimes prickly, always informed and challenging, a lovely man, one-of-a-kind, the one that broke the mould.
So we want to thank Mick. Thanks for all the years. Thanks for all the laughs. Thanks for being such a champion. We would love for him to be remembered for all the wonderful memories he has inspired for everyone, so let’s hear your voices: #thanksMick
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Written by Lisa Westcott Wilkins
Founder and Co-CEO at DigVentures, Lisa makes sure the boxes are ticked, the diggers run on time, and that everyone has a *really* good time along the way. She is responsible for the Americanisms, ridiculously strong site coffee and early morning DV dance parties.
Comments (6)
What can we say – we had never met you in person, but it feels like the loss of a friend. Thank you Mick for the many years of enjoyment and knowledge you have given to us. We shall think of you every time we see a stripey coloured sweater.
Deb and Ian Hubbard, Staffordshire
Although it is a very sad day I think that Mick Aston would be so thrilled to know that all around the world, there are young and mature students starting to not only appreciate the field of Archaeology but more importantly studying it and that is a legacy that any teacher would be so proud of. Thank you Mick Aston.
Goodbye Mick. You opened other worlds for people. Thank you for everything you’ve done.
Mick said in an interview not so long ago that he didn’t feel he was leaving a legacy. It’s difficult to agree with that, given the number of people he’s inspired to learn more about the field. I may have never met him, and may only be a viewer of TIme Team who’s decided to sign up for the Coursera course, but there are many like me, and they’re Mick’s doing.
My thoughts are at http://troubleatthemill.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/professor-mick-aston-july-1-1946-june.html – not much in the grand scheme of things, but he left many like me, I suspect.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Mick Aston, he sparked an interest in archaeology in both Deb and I here in Australia. Thanks Mick 🙂
We have lost an inspiration but his legacy will live on – thanks Mick x