Richard Bradley (archaeologist)

Richard Bradley (born 1946) is a British archaeologist specializing in the prehistory of Britain and Europe. He is particularly known for his work on landscape archaeology, monumentality, and the symbolic meaning of prehistoric sites.

Bradley studied archaeology at the University of Cambridge. He has held positions at the Universities of Reading and, later, at the University of Reading (emeritus). He is a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) and is considered a leading figure in the development of theoretical approaches to archaeological interpretation.

His research has focused on the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, with significant contributions to our understanding of henge monuments, rock art, and the ways in which prehistoric people interacted with their environment. He has conducted extensive fieldwork and published widely on these topics.

Selected publications by Richard Bradley include:

• The Passage of Arms: An Archaeological Study of Prehistoric Ritual and Symbolism (1990)
• Rock Art and the Prehistory of Atlantic Europe (1997)
• An Archaeology of Natural Places (2000)
• The Moon and the Bonfire: An Investigation of Three Stone Circles in North-East Scotland (2005)
• Image and Audience: Rethinking Prehistoric Art (2009)
• The Land Answers: Landscape, Gender and the Development of Archaeology (2016)

Bradley's work is characterized by its interdisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from anthropology, art history, and other fields to enrich the interpretation of the archaeological record. His publications have been highly influential in shaping contemporary archaeological thought.