Philip Rahtz (born in
Bristol in 1921) is a
British archaeologist. After leaving
Bristol Grammar School, he served with the
Royal Air Force during the
Second World War. During war service, Rahtz became friends with the archaeologist
Ernest Greenfield (excavator of Great Witcombe Roman Villa,
Gloucestershire). This friendship sparked a personal interest in
archaeology and a professional career, which began with the excavations at
Chew Valley Lake (north Somerset) in 1953. A wide range of excavations in the area followed including
Glastonbury Tor in 1964-1966 and a Romano-Celtic Temple at
Chew Stoke. Rahtz was soon running summer school excavations for the
University of Birmingham as well as lecturing and in 1978 he was appointed professor at the
University of York.
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