Graeme Lawson, musical archaeologist

Graeme Lawson, the reconstruction cameo expert for the Nassington programme, is an archaeologist, instrument-maker, composer and performer. He specialises in the exploration and development of music's pre- and proto-history, from the beginnings of 'early music' back to the origins of anatomically modern humans. One of his particular passions is the Anglo-Saxons and their instrumental music, as revealed in the archaeological record. An experienced performer, and one of Europe's most expert lyre-players, Dr Lawson is a Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Cambridge University.

He is also director of Archaeologia Musica, Cambridge. In 1985, he and his wife set up their own archaeological record label and their first Music from Archaeology recordings, with titles such as Sounds of the Viking Age, sold more than 50,000 copies. Since then, Graeme has produced all the music (including interactive virtual instruments) for Maris Multimedia Ltd's CD-ROM Atlas of the Ancient World (1997).

As a composer, one of his most recent commissions has been the replica lyre and accompanying music for the National Trust's new visitor centre at Sutton Hoo, the royal burial place of East Anglia's Anglo-Saxon kings. He has also been working on musical pipes from the Old Stone Age, with a radiocarbon date of 36,000 years ago, as well as featuring in The Song of the Earth with David Attenborough on BBC2.

Archaeologia Musica
PO Box 92
Cambridge CB4 1PU

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