A Mosaic of Recollections: Memoirs of an Archaeologist (Archaeological Lives)

A Mosaic of Recollections is the autobiography of David S.Neal, whose name has become synonymous with the study and illustration of Roman mosaics in Britain.It tells the story of a working-class boy, born into the travails of war-torn London, and his evacuation to South Wales to live with a mining community.The return to London in time to celebrate VE-Day remains a vivid memory.After moving to Hemel Hempstead New Town he became fascinated with the museums at St Albans and spent many hours watching excavations on Roman Verulamium before being invited to help. Studying graphic design at Watford School of Art developed his talents, which he was able to combine with his activities on the excavations as he began to record the mosaic pavements then being exposed.Work as a graphic designer with the Gas Board was not compelling, and he was fortunate to secure employment as an archaeological illustrator with the government’s Ancient Monuments Inspectorate, where he met a wide range of unusual p