Richard Avent
{{Short description|British archaeologist (1948–2006)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox academic
| name = Richard Avent
| birth_date = 13 July 1948
| birth_place = Cookham, Berkshire
| death_date = 2 August 2006
| nationality = British
| alma_mater = University College, Cardiff
| workplaces = Cadw
| notable_works = Castles of the Princes of Gwynedd (1983)
| spouse = Dr Sian Rees
}}
Richard Avent (13 July 1948 – 2 August 2006) was a British archaeologist, conservationist and civil servant. He was a leading authority on the history of medieval Welsh castles, particularly those constructed by the native Welsh princes.{{cite news |last1=Wakelin |first1=Peter |title=Obituary: Richard Avent |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/aug/25/guardianobituaries.mainsection |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=the Guardian |date=25 August 2006 |language=en}}
Biography
Avent was the Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Builds at Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government,{{cite news |title=Richard Avent |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1526488/Richard-Avent.html |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=17 August 2006}}{{cite news |title=Richard Avent |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/richard-avent-rtt7nd507bl |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Times |date=9 August 2006 |language=en}} and briefly led Cadw in 2005. He was also president of the Cambrian Archaeological Association.
He was a pioneer of landscape archaeology in Wales, helping to create the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts.{{cite news |title=Richard Avent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-avent-411375.html |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Independent |date=22 September 2011 |language=en}} He promoted the study of native Welsh castles, largely overshadowed by the castles constructed by Edward I, and wrote Castles of the Princes of Gwynedd (1983). Avent also oversaw excavations and restoration work at Laugharne Castle.{{cite news |title=Tributes paid to castles expert |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5243622.stm |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=BBC News |date=3 August 2006}}
Avent died in a diving accident in Gozo, Malta, in 2006.{{cite news |title=Man and son drowned during dive |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5245100.stm |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=BBC News |date=4 August 2006}}
References
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