We are very sad to report that Simon Keay, Professor Emeritus of Roman Archaeology at our University, died on 7 April 2021.
A Fellow of the British Academy and Research Professor at the British School at Rome, Professor Keay was a renowned expert in ports, commerce, urbanism and culture in the early Roman Mediterranean. Simon led several extensive archaeological surveys in the Mediterranean, including the Ager Tarraconensis in Catalonia and a number of Roman towns in the Tiber Valley. In particular, he was well known as Director of the Portus Project – a body of research exploring and surveying the ancient port of Rome. The project prompted numerous high-profile media appearances.
A greatly respected leader and highly valued colleague of more than 30 years at Southampton, Simon was Head of Archaeology twice and more recently assumed the role of Associate Dean for Research within Humanities. He retired from the University in the summer of 2020.
The Archaeology department paid tribute to Professor Keay on Twitter stating:
“Simon’s knowledge of Roman archaeology was immense. He will be much missed as a friend, colleague, mentor, teacher and tutor by a generation of Southampton students, staff and alumni.”
A full tribute will be published over the coming days.
