Orlando Burrell

United Kingdom

Affiliation: Independent Researcher

Member since: 2026

Topics of Interest: Archaeological science, Living history, Metal, Museum Mgmt, Weapons

Focus areas: Iron Age, Viking Age, Early Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages, Newest Era

Graduate of Durham University (undergraduate in Archaeology, Masters in Museum and Artefact Studies), self-taught metalworker with a long-standing focus on the Early/Late Middle Ages.

Was a student fieldworker at Bishop Auckland, Durham and the Viking Age settlement of Kotid in Iceland. Undergraduate dissertation focused on recreating historical smithing spaces using hammer scale from forging knives, paired with magnetic susceptibility readings to improve identification of small-scale smithing in the field — carried out alongside Beamish Museum, County Durham.

MA dissertation examined reenactors' relationship with the UK heritage sector, analysing community survey feedback and proposing new collaborations. As an independent researcher, always looking for new projects and opportunities.

Open for research collaboration in the following topics

Archaeological science, Communication and Outreach, Education/training, Fire, Food, Iron, Jewellery, Living history, Metal, Museum Mgmt, New Media, Sustainability, Weapons, Wood