John C. Barrett

John C. Barrett, (1949 – 27 December 2024) was a British archaeologist and prehistorian who was Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield. His research was primarily focussed on archaeological theory, European Prehistory from early agriculture to Romanisation, and the development of commercially funded archaeology in the UK.

Education Barrett's interest in archaeology came from encountering excavations at St Albans around the age of 12. He later graduated from the University of Wales (University College Cardiff). Barrett had contributed a section on Early Bronze Age hoards and metalwork to the 1985 book Symbols of Power: At the Time of Stonehenge, written by D.V. Clarke, T.G. Cowie and Andrew Foxon which had been published by the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. Barrett further wrote Fields of Discourse: Reconstituting a Social Archaeology in 1988 which continues to be an influential and revisited framework in modern archaeological practice.

Research and positions at the Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield (1995 onward) Barrett joined the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield in 1995 and appointed to a chair in Archaeology in 2001. Barrett further acted as Head of Archaeology between 2002 and 2006, Dean of Arts (2007-2008), and Acting Head of Department of Biblical Studies (2009-2011). Additionally, Barrett was invited as a Visiting Professor to the University of Heidelberg in 2005.

Death Barrett died on 27 December 2024.

Select publications Barrett, J.C. (2013) "Genes and Agents: Closing the Theoretical Gap". In S. Bergerbrant & S. Sabatini (eds.) Counterpoint: Essays in Archaeology and heritage Studies in Honour of Professor Kristian Kristiansen. Oxford: Archaeopress, 575-582 Barrett, J.C. (2013) "The Archaeology of Mind: It's not what you think", Cambridge Archaeological Journal 23(1), 1-17. Barrett, J.C. (2011) "The Neolithic Revolution: an ecological perspective", in Hadjikoumis A., Robinson E. & Viner S. (eds.) The dynamics of neolithisation in Europe: studies in honour of Andrew Sherratt. Oxford: Oxbow Books. Barrett, J.C. and Ko, I. (2009) "A Phenomenology of Landscape: a crisis in British Field Archaeology?", Journal of Social Archaeology. 9(3), 275-294

Andrews, G.A., Barrett J.C. Lewis J.S.C. (2000) "Interpretation not record: the practice of archaeology". Antiquity 74, 525-30 Barrett, J.C. (1994) Fragments from Antiquity: An Archaeology of Social Life in Britain, 2900-1200 BC