Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Boon, George Counsell

20 September 1927 – 31 August 1994

George Boon was one of the leading Roman archaeologists of his generation.  His excavations, principally at Silchester in the north of the county, as well as on sites in Wales, were complemented by his comprehensive knowledge of Roman artefacts and coins.

Boon was born and educated in Bristol and his first excavation was at the local Kings Weston villa.  Following graduation, he took a post at Reading Museum, beginning a life-long association with Silchester and the remarkable collection of artefacts from the site.  As well as cataloguing much of the material, the academic potential of which had been almost completely neglected, he excavated parts of the early defences (the ‘Inner Earthwork’) and produced two definitive books, Roman Silchester and Silchester: The Roman Town of Calleva.

In 1957 he moved to Cardiff and the National Museum of Wales, where he was to spend the rest of his career.  He was involved with many learned societies, becoming a Vice President of the Roman Society and the Society of Antiquaries.  He was always willing to share his expertise with both professional and amateur colleagues and unstinting in his support and help for anyone, particularly the young, keen to advance in the subject.

Sources

• Obituary, Britannia 26xiii (1995) William Manning.

Portrait

Contribution to county’s history

Boon’s study of the ‘Silchester collection’ of artefacts unearthed half a century earlier did much to put the site into its historical context. He maintained his links with Calleva throughout his life, providing many specialist reports for later publications.

Relevant published works

• Boon G C (1957) Roman Silchester

• Boon G C (1958) Excavations at Silchester, 1954-7: an Interim Report, Proc Hants Field Club & Archaeol Soc 21, 9-23
  

• Boon G C (1973) The Old Church Stratfield Saye, Proc Hants Field Club & Archaeol Soc 30, 45-6

• Boon G C (1974) Silchester: The Roman Town of Calleva

Critical Comments

See David Johnston

Other Comments

Contributor

Dave Allen, October 2022

Key Words

County history; Bosmere

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