Louise Barker

Louise Barker
Archaeologist

I’m an archaeologist at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, an investigation body promoting the understanding of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales, and curator of the National Archive for the historic environment in Wales. 

I’ve been working at the Royal Commission for nearly 20 years, and I’m very lucky to have a career that enables me to travel across Wales and undertake survey and research on a range of monuments and landscapes spanning prehistory to the present day.  For over a decade the slate industry has been an important thematic project at the Commission and I’ve been lucky enough to lead this work. It has enabled me to explore many of the spectacular remains associated with the industry and I worked closely with Dr David Gwyn on the Royal Commission’s 2015 publication Welsh Slate: Archaeology and History of an Industry. 

The Royal Commission was a partner in the World Heritage nomination and I was part of the group that prepared the nomination. It was very much a career highlight when World Heritage Status was awarded, and it’s great to now be working with the team on the next phase of the World Heritage Site journey.

In my spare time you’ll usually find me running up a mountain, a perfect way to discover the slate quarries of Wales!