Barry Ager

Curator, Continental Early Medieval Collection

Early Medieval European archaeology (Continent and Scandinavia)

Department: Prehistory and Europe

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7323 8723
Email: prehistory @ thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Barry Ager is responsible for the archaeological artefacts in the museum’s holding from the Continent and Scandinavia during the Early Medieval period. The major part of this comprises Frankish material from France and Germany and Viking objects from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. His particular interests are the Visigoths, early medieval weaponry and the transition from the Late Roman Empire to early medieval Europe. He also acts as departmental liaison with CDG.

Current British Museum projects

Previous British Museum projects

Room 41 refurbishment (1985) and refreshment (2002).

Swords from Dover Buckland II Anglo-Saxon cemetery.

Study of British swords of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods in the British Museum for publication (1989).

Joint editor of two Eastern European catalogues in preparation.

External fellowships/ honorary positions/ membership of professional bodies

Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries London

Member of The Society for Medieval Archaeology

Member of The Royal Archaeological Institute

Member of The Finds Research Group AD700-1700

Publications

Most recent publications

B. Ager, “A lead model for a late 5th- or early 6th-century sword-pommel”, Medieval Archaeology, 50 (2006), pp. 243-9

B. Ager, “Early Medieval jewellery from the Eastern Baltic back on display at the British Museum”, Tiltas. Journal of the British-Lithuanian Society, 7.2 (2006), pp. 3-5

B. Ager,  “Los frenos equinos en Hispania y las representaciones iconográficas de las camas de bocado tardorromanas, a propósito de unos nuevos ejemplares”, with J. Aurrecoechea, Sautuola, 9 (2002-2003), pp. 283-99

B. Ager, “Noticia sobre dos fíbulas de tipo merovingio descubiertas en la provincia de Zaragoza”, Sautuola, 9 (2002-2003), pp. 317-9

B. Ager,  “Late Roman iconographic representations on Hispano-Roman bridle cheek-pieces”, with J. Aurrecoechea, Bonner Jahrbücher, 200 (2000 [2004]), pp. 275-292