Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Mortimer Wheeler" - New World
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| + | '''Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler''' (September 10, 1890– July 22, 1976), was one of the best-known [[Great Britain|British]] [[archaeology|archaeologists]] of the twentieth century. He is known for his work in [[Great Britain]], [[India]], and [[Pakistan]], and for his public appearances on [[television]] and [[radio]], which popularized archeology among mass audiences. | ||
| + | ==Biography== | ||
| − | + | ===Early years=== | |
| + | '''Mortimer Wheeler''' was born in [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]], the son of Robert Mortimer, a [[newspaper]] editor, and Emily Baynes. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School and [[University of London]] where he received an M.A. degree in 1912. In 1913 he won the scholarchip for archaeology established jointly by the London University and the Society of Antiquaries of London in memory of [[Augustus Wollaston Franks]]. [[Arthur Evans|Sir Arthur Evans]] doubled the amount of money that went with the scholarship, paying out of his own pocket another £100. In late autumn 1913, Wheeler began to work for the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. | ||
| − | + | In 1914 he married Tessa Verney. Their son Michael was born in January 1915. | |
| − | At the outbreak of [[World War I]] | + | ===World War I=== |
| + | At the outbreak of [[World War I]], Wheeler was commissioned into the [[Royal Artillery]], at first remaining in [[London]] as an instructor in the University of London Officers' Training Corps. Then he was posted to several battery commands in [[Scotland]] and [[England]] until 1917. The last part of the war he fought in [[France]], Passchendaele, the Western Front, near Bapaume, and finally marched into [[Germany]], commanding 'A' Battery of 76th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. In July 1919 he returned from the Rhineland to London and to civilian life. | ||
| − | + | ===Archeologist=== | |
| + | In 1920, Wheeler received his Ph.D. from the [[University of London]]. In the same year he became a lecturer in [[archaeology]] at the [[University of Wales]]. In 1922 he was made a Fellow of University College, London, which he held until his death. Between 1920 and 1926 he was Director of the National Museum of Wales, and from 1926 to 1944 Keeper of the London Museum at Lancaster House. In 1934, he was made lecturer of the London University's new Institute of Archaeology. | ||
| − | + | During his career he carried out many major excavations within [[United Kingdom|Britain]], including that of [[Roman Empire|Roman]] remains in Essex (1919-1920), [[Wales]] (1921–27) and at Verulamium (1930–33), where he unearthed a pre-Roman settlement near St. Albans. He also excavated at Maiden Castle in Dorset (1934–37), where he found a [[Neolithic]] settlement from prior to 2000 B.C.E.. | |
| − | The | + | The [[excavation]] methods he used, for example, the "grid system" (later developed further by [[Kathleen Kenyon]], and known as the [[Wheeler-Kenyon method]]), represented significant advances in archaeological method. It involved digging of 5x5-meter-square series, set within a larger grid. The vertical slices of earth left in-between the squares allowed archaeologists to compare the exact origin of a found object to nearby layers of earth ("strata"). The Wheeler-Kenyon method is not used any more and is regarded inappropriate in modern scientific excavations. |
| − | + | Wheeler was greatly influenced by the work of the archaeologist [[Augustus Pitt Rivers]] (1827–1900). | |
| − | + | His first wife died in 1936, and he remarried again in 1939 to Mavis Cole. | |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ===World War II=== |
| − | *''The excavation of Maiden Castle, Dorset : | + | In 1939 he was excavating a site in [[Normandy]] when [[World War II]] broke out. He returned in August 1939 to join the Middlesex Territorial Association at Enfield. He stayed there until 1941 when his unit was transferred into the regular army forces as the 48th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, which became a part of the 42nd Mobile Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and went with the 8th Army to [[Northern Africa]]. There he took part in the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]]. In September 1943 he commanded the 12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade during the landing of the Allied Forces at Salerno, [[Italy]], which became known as [[Operation Avalanche (World War II)|Operation Avalanche]]. |
| − | *'' | + | |
| − | *''Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London No.XVII: The Stanwick Fortifications, North Riding of Yorkshire'' | + | ===Back to archeology=== |
| − | *'' | + | In 1944, now 54 years old, Wheeler retired from the Army to become Lecturer in Archaeology at the University College of Cardiff. He was also named Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, exploring in detail the remains of the [[Indus Valley Civilization]] at Mohenjodaro. He trained the first group of Indian archaeologists after India became independent. |
| − | *'' | + | |
| − | *''Civilizations of the Indus Valley and beyond'' ( | + | Wheeler divorced from his second wife in 1942, and married three years later to a fellow archaeologist Margaret Norfolk. |
| + | |||
| + | On his return in 1948, he became a chair of Roman Archaeology at the University of London's Institute of Archaeology, which he founded together with his wife. He spent part of the years 1949 and 1950 in [[Pakistan]] as Archaeological Adviser to the Government. He helped establish the Archaeological Department of Pakistan, and the National Museum of Pakistan at [[Karachi]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wheeler was knighted in 1952 for his services to archaeology. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Work in media=== | ||
| + | Wheeler became known through his books and appearances on [[television]] and [[radio]], helping to bring [[archaeology]] to a mass audience. Wheeler believed strongly that archaeology needed public support, and he was assiduous in appearing on radio and television to promote it. He hosted three television series that aimed to bring archaeology to the public. These were: ''"Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?"'' (1952–60), "''Buried Treasure''" (1954–59), and ''"Chronicle"'' (1966). He was named British 'TV Personality of the Year' in 1954. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He was Secretary of the [[British Academy]], chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for England, and president of the Antiquarian Society of London. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He retired from the [[University of London]] in 1955. He died on July 22, 1976 in Leatherhead, near [[London]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Legacy== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Mortimer Wheeler was a man of enormous energy and great leadership abilities. His enthusiasm for [[archaeology]] and the love for adventure took him to excavate in different parts in the world. He however particularly preferred South [[Asia]], establishing important foundation in [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. He trained numerous Indian archeologists who continued to carry the discipline after Indian independence from Britain. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wheeler also contributed to the promotion of archeology as a [[science|scientific]] discipline. He was greatly influenced by [[Augustus Pitt Rivers]] and modeled his work after him. His use of the [[stratification]] grid technique was rather progressive for his days. Today however, this technique is superseded by more advanced techniques of [[excavation]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wheeler was also famous for his propagation of archeology. He used his fame to make [[radio]] and [[television]] appearances in which he offered interesting accounts from his work, popularizing such archaeology among the public. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Publications== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1936. ''The excavation of Maiden Castle, Dorset: Second interim report''. Oxford University Press | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1953. ''The Indus Civilization''. Cambridge University Press | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1954. ''Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London No. XVII: The Stanwick Fortifications, North Riding of Yorkshire''. Society of Antiquaries | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1954. ''Rome beyond the imperial frontiers''. London: Bell. | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1955. ''Still Digging''. London: Michael Joseph Ltd. | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1959. ''Early India and Pakistan: to Ashoka''. New York: Praeger. | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1966. ''Civilizations of the Indus Valley and beyond''. New York: McGraw-Hill | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1985 (original published in 1964). ''Roman art and architecture''. New York: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0500200211 | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 1992 (original published in 1950). ''Five thousand years of Pakistan; an archaeological outline''. Royal Book Co. ISBN 9694071283 | ||
| + | * Wheeler, Mortimer. 2004 (original published in 1954). ''Archaeology from the earth''. Munshirm Manoharlal Pub. ISBN 8121511372 | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | * Clark, Ronald William. 1960. ''Sir Mortimer Wheeler''. New York: Roy Publishers | ||
| + | * Hawkes, Jacquetta H. 1982. ''Adventurer in archaeology: The biography of Sir Mortimer Wheeler''. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN: 0312006586 | ||
| + | * ''Sir Mortimer Wheeler''. In Dictionary of Art Historians <http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org>. Retrieved on July 15, 2007, <http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/wheelerm.htm> | ||
| + | * ''Sir Mortimer Wheeler''. In Encyclopedia Britannica Concise, <http://concise.britannica.com>. Retrieved on July 15, 2007, <http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9076754/Mortimer-Wheeler>. | ||
| + | * Sir Mortimer Wheeler. Wider horizons and a new public for archaeology. ''The Times'' (London) July 23, 1976, p. 16 | ||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | * [http://traumwerk.stanford.edu:3455/Symmetry/819 Asymmetrical Time: Stratigraphy in archaeological practice] – On stratigraphic method used by Wheeler | ||
| + | * [http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/wheelerm.htm Sir Mortimer Wheeler] - Biography in Dictionary of Art Historians | ||
| + | * [http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9076754/Mortimer-Wheeler Sir Mortimer Wheeler] – Biography in Encyclopedia Britannica Concise | ||
| + | * [http://www.stanford.edu/~ashishw/PDF%20copy/Wheeler%20SJA.pdf Visions of discipline: Sir Mortimer Wheeler and the archaeological method in India] – Article on Wheeler by Ashish Chadha | ||
| + | * [http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/archsci/depart/resgrp/southasia/charsadda/charsadda-panel4-low.pdf Wheeler’s work in India] – Some photos of Wheeler’s work in India | ||
{{Credits|Mortimer_Wheeler|129035325|}} | {{Credits|Mortimer_Wheeler|129035325|}} | ||
Revision as of 11:44, 15 July 2007
Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler (September 10, 1890– July 22, 1976), was one of the best-known British archaeologists of the twentieth century. He is known for his work in Great Britain, India, and Pakistan, and for his public appearances on television and radio, which popularized archeology among mass audiences.
Biography
Early years
Mortimer Wheeler was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Robert Mortimer, a newspaper editor, and Emily Baynes. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School and University of London where he received an M.A. degree in 1912. In 1913 he won the scholarchip for archaeology established jointly by the London University and the Society of Antiquaries of London in memory of Augustus Wollaston Franks. Sir Arthur Evans doubled the amount of money that went with the scholarship, paying out of his own pocket another £100. In late autumn 1913, Wheeler began to work for the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments.
In 1914 he married Tessa Verney. Their son Michael was born in January 1915.
World War I
At the outbreak of World War I, Wheeler was commissioned into the Royal Artillery, at first remaining in London as an instructor in the University of London Officers' Training Corps. Then he was posted to several battery commands in Scotland and England until 1917. The last part of the war he fought in France, Passchendaele, the Western Front, near Bapaume, and finally marched into Germany, commanding 'A' Battery of 76th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. In July 1919 he returned from the Rhineland to London and to civilian life.
Archeologist
In 1920, Wheeler received his Ph.D. from the University of London. In the same year he became a lecturer in archaeology at the University of Wales. In 1922 he was made a Fellow of University College, London, which he held until his death. Between 1920 and 1926 he was Director of the National Museum of Wales, and from 1926 to 1944 Keeper of the London Museum at Lancaster House. In 1934, he was made lecturer of the London University's new Institute of Archaeology.
During his career he carried out many major excavations within Britain, including that of Roman remains in Essex (1919-1920), Wales (1921–27) and at Verulamium (1930–33), where he unearthed a pre-Roman settlement near St. Albans. He also excavated at Maiden Castle in Dorset (1934–37), where he found a Neolithic settlement from prior to 2000 B.C.E.
The excavation methods he used, for example, the "grid system" (later developed further by Kathleen Kenyon, and known as the Wheeler-Kenyon method), represented significant advances in archaeological method. It involved digging of 5x5-meter-square series, set within a larger grid. The vertical slices of earth left in-between the squares allowed archaeologists to compare the exact origin of a found object to nearby layers of earth ("strata"). The Wheeler-Kenyon method is not used any more and is regarded inappropriate in modern scientific excavations.
Wheeler was greatly influenced by the work of the archaeologist Augustus Pitt Rivers (1827–1900).
His first wife died in 1936, and he remarried again in 1939 to Mavis Cole.
World War II
In 1939 he was excavating a site in Normandy when World War II broke out. He returned in August 1939 to join the Middlesex Territorial Association at Enfield. He stayed there until 1941 when his unit was transferred into the regular army forces as the 48th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, which became a part of the 42nd Mobile Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and went with the 8th Army to Northern Africa. There he took part in the Second Battle of El Alamein. In September 1943 he commanded the 12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade during the landing of the Allied Forces at Salerno, Italy, which became known as Operation Avalanche.
Back to archeology
In 1944, now 54 years old, Wheeler retired from the Army to become Lecturer in Archaeology at the University College of Cardiff. He was also named Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, exploring in detail the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization at Mohenjodaro. He trained the first group of Indian archaeologists after India became independent.
Wheeler divorced from his second wife in 1942, and married three years later to a fellow archaeologist Margaret Norfolk.
On his return in 1948, he became a chair of Roman Archaeology at the University of London's Institute of Archaeology, which he founded together with his wife. He spent part of the years 1949 and 1950 in Pakistan as Archaeological Adviser to the Government. He helped establish the Archaeological Department of Pakistan, and the National Museum of Pakistan at Karachi.
Wheeler was knighted in 1952 for his services to archaeology.
Work in media
Wheeler became known through his books and appearances on television and radio, helping to bring archaeology to a mass audience. Wheeler believed strongly that archaeology needed public support, and he was assiduous in appearing on radio and television to promote it. He hosted three television series that aimed to bring archaeology to the public. These were: "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?" (1952–60), "Buried Treasure" (1954–59), and "Chronicle" (1966). He was named British 'TV Personality of the Year' in 1954.
He was Secretary of the British Academy, chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for England, and president of the Antiquarian Society of London.
He retired from the University of London in 1955. He died on July 22, 1976 in Leatherhead, near London.
Legacy
Mortimer Wheeler was a man of enormous energy and great leadership abilities. His enthusiasm for archaeology and the love for adventure took him to excavate in different parts in the world. He however particularly preferred South Asia, establishing important foundation in India and Pakistan. He trained numerous Indian archeologists who continued to carry the discipline after Indian independence from Britain.
Wheeler also contributed to the promotion of archeology as a scientific discipline. He was greatly influenced by Augustus Pitt Rivers and modeled his work after him. His use of the stratification grid technique was rather progressive for his days. Today however, this technique is superseded by more advanced techniques of excavation.
Wheeler was also famous for his propagation of archeology. He used his fame to make radio and television appearances in which he offered interesting accounts from his work, popularizing such archaeology among the public.
Publications
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1936. The excavation of Maiden Castle, Dorset: Second interim report. Oxford University Press
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1953. The Indus Civilization. Cambridge University Press
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1954. Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London No. XVII: The Stanwick Fortifications, North Riding of Yorkshire. Society of Antiquaries
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1954. Rome beyond the imperial frontiers. London: Bell.
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1955. Still Digging. London: Michael Joseph Ltd.
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1959. Early India and Pakistan: to Ashoka. New York: Praeger.
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1966. Civilizations of the Indus Valley and beyond. New York: McGraw-Hill
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1985 (original published in 1964). Roman art and architecture. New York: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0500200211
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 1992 (original published in 1950). Five thousand years of Pakistan; an archaeological outline. Royal Book Co. ISBN 9694071283
- Wheeler, Mortimer. 2004 (original published in 1954). Archaeology from the earth. Munshirm Manoharlal Pub. ISBN 8121511372
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Clark, Ronald William. 1960. Sir Mortimer Wheeler. New York: Roy Publishers
- Hawkes, Jacquetta H. 1982. Adventurer in archaeology: The biography of Sir Mortimer Wheeler. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN: 0312006586
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler. In Dictionary of Art Historians <http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org>. Retrieved on July 15, 2007, <http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/wheelerm.htm>
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler. In Encyclopedia Britannica Concise, <http://concise.britannica.com>. Retrieved on July 15, 2007, <http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9076754/Mortimer-Wheeler>.
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler. Wider horizons and a new public for archaeology. The Times (London) July 23, 1976, p. 16
External links
- Asymmetrical Time: Stratigraphy in archaeological practice – On stratigraphic method used by Wheeler
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler - Biography in Dictionary of Art Historians
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler – Biography in Encyclopedia Britannica Concise
- Visions of discipline: Sir Mortimer Wheeler and the archaeological method in India – Article on Wheeler by Ashish Chadha
- Wheeler’s work in India – Some photos of Wheeler’s work in India
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