John Steane was educated at Dulwich College and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he read Modern History. He is a consultant archaeologist and part-time tutor at Kellogg College, Oxford University's Department of Continuing Education. He is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Member of the Institure of Field Archaeologists. Previously, he was Headmaster of Kettering Grammar School (1964-76), and County Archaeologist for Oxfordshire (1976-1990).
He has undertaken research into many aspects of the historic landscape, including fishponds, palaces and parks. He is the author of The Northamptonshire Landscape (1974), Peopling Past Landscapes (with B.F. Dix, 1978), The Archaeology of Medieval England and Wales (1984), and The Archaeology of the Medieval English Monarchy (1993). He is currently working on aspects of the history of Magdalen College, Oxford.