Mortimer Wheeler | Day of Archaeology Day of Archaeology All DoA content is licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license, unless otherwise stated. Mortimer Wheeler “We do not dig up objects, we dig up people.” – Sir Mortimer Wheeler The need to go back to the past is process of rejuvenation of memories or their placement in time and space anew, as well as a realization and replenishment of the complete picture of a certain geographical ambient. The seeker directs his interest of a certain space towards its deeper perception and befriending forgotten experiences, discovering, stone by stone, that which his forefathers before him have sawn. For each individual, the mounting of Vodno, as any other mountain, is a goal to reach. To that end, there is a possibility to walk the marked mountain road, others have walked before you, or to boldly take the unmarked road full of various challenges and obstacles. Climbing up the steep eastern slopes of Vodno, one can reminisce of the old road stretching from the great Stone Bridge on the river Vardar to the south towards Kisela Voda village.

There it split in two directions, one continuing south-east (villages of Taor and Zelenikovo), whereas the other turning more to the south towards the gentle hills to the east and south-east of Vodno (villages of Soptishte, Rakotinci, Dobri dol and further down to Pelagonia). (Evans 1885, 98; Hadzi-Vasiljevic 1930, 24-25; Shkricanic 1974, 80.) This geographical area was known as Karshijak or “on the other side”, “across the river Vardar or opposite Vardar” (Hadzi-Vasiljevic 1930, 33).

Once road passes by Markovo Kruvche, or medieval Chrnche, one would arrive at the old quarry where blue limestone (limestone deposits from the third Mesozoic shallow sea dating around 150 million years ago) was excavated and used to tile the streets in the center of old Skopje (Radovanivic 1937, 75; Trifunovski 1958, 84; Herak 1973, 314-317). Remnants from that time can be found even today, a time when the noise, dust, smoke and clatter of the craftsmenwere companions to every weary traveler. Most probably, Sir John Arthur walked this same road while exploring the Roman remnants in this region. Next are the village of Sopishte, and then the village of Rakotinci, both spread over the long valleys and dry trenches shaped by the long hand of the wild spring and summer rain. The village of Dobri dol is located south of Skopje, at a distance of around 10 km from the city center.

It is situated in a valley shaped as a horseshoe in the southern slopes of Vodno, ridged by the two small rivers, Krushka and Rakotinski Dol (made up of Buturec and Cimkoec springs) that contributed to the fertility of the soil and the ease of its processing, and a little higher up, on the neogene terraces, the soil is dry, sandy and perfect for growing Dobridol grapes. It is protected from the cold north winds, but through the valley of the river Markova reka, open to the warm south wind (South-Razvigor breeze or Lodos) (Hadzi-Vasiljevic 1930, 18; Trifunovski 1958, 15, 130).

In the area surrounding the village Dobri Dol the following toponyms can be found: Preku dol, Preku rit, Ciganski grobishta, Gola Rudina, Kocho padina, Pitoma rupa, Po rogoi chuki, Pargoi chuki, Kushica, Gorni Zabel, Dolni Zabel, Perkoec, Dushkov dol, Opal, Bel Krst. Mankoec, Kojdui rupi, Grashishta, Crna shuma i Drmos (Skok 1936, 104-105; Trifunoski 1958, 138). Preserved testaments of the first settlements dating from the early Stone Age can be found in the area surrounding the nearby villages of Rakotinci and Govrlevo.

Two settlements were located to the east of Dobri Dol, in the terraces of the Orlovica hill and above the two small river-streams flowing from Dobri dol and the neighboring Rakotinci, the first one dating from the early Stone Age and the second one form the Copper Age, Orlovica 1 and 2 (Bilbija 1996, 380; Mitrevski 2013, 139; 32, 155) In the middle reaches of Markova Reka, near the village of Sushica (Kolishtrkovska-Nasteva and Videski 1996, 42), deep in the sandy shore, the traces of Mycenae pioneers who most likely were in search of rivers rich in gold, lie hidden. Fragmented (Mycenae) vessels belonging to the Bronze Age of the Vardar Valley are found in Govrlevo (according to Bilbija 2012; Mitrevski 2013, 184), west of Dobri Dol.

Settlements and fortified stations, small forts and shelters have been woven into the landscape since Ancient times and the Middle Ages. Old cemeteries, stone markers, stelas and crosses. Slanted or excavated. Lonely or attached, one can find them on the hills and fields. Christian or Muslim religious temples tower over the red tile rooftops of the village houses. But, also holy and healing springs and creeks that bring peace and tranquility to the weary travelers and eternal seekers under the deep shadows of the centennial trees and the on road resting places reminiscing of times past. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN DOBRO DOL VILLAGE Archeological site Krushka, is situated in the vicinity of Krushka spring (Kushica) (Vuchkovich-Todorovich 1958, 289; Jovanova 1996, 370), 500 meters north-west of the village church St. Spas.

A double tomb dating from the late Antique was found in the 50’s of the last century and six secondarily used stelae intended for the double tomb construction inscribed in Latin letters, and one inscribed in combined Latin and Ancient Greek. Bricks were used for the floor of the tombs. Bricks with larger dimensions, were a little elevated than the rest were set as the headrest. Burial gifts were found in both chambers: a coin (Constantine), gilded crossbow fibulas, a golden earring, golden ring, glass vessels- vials and two ceramic vessels (Vuchkovich-Todorovich 1958, 295-296). The stelas most probably belonged to high class decedents who held lands in the horseshoe-shaped valley, but served their professional and life course in the administrative, religious and transit center in the province of Upper Moesia, in Skupi.

They originate from the period at the end of the 1st to the beginning of the 3rd century (Vuchkovich-Todorovich 1958, 290-295, Dragojevich-Josifovska 1982, 68-69, 81-82, 86, 99, 118; Petkovski 2013, 182, 197, 198, 209, 213).

The following names are mentioned: – Decedent (soldier in the Flavian cavalry-ala) Vanno, Iulius Vanno Missicius and the dedicator – establisher Flavius Antiocus, – Decedent (centurion veteran) Antonius and the establisher, free slave Simphorus, – Decedent Drutie Mestulae and the dedicator Maema Dioscuridi, – Decedent (veteran of the VII legion Claudia Pia Fidelis), Publius Caetennius Clemens and the establisher, free slave Simphorus and heir Publius Caetennius Felicianus, – Decedent Publius Aelius Posidonianus and the establisher Antonia Saturnina, – Decedents (sons, praetorian soldiers Caio Valerio Pudinti veteran and Caio Iulio Celeri, the son-in-law, who was Augustales (priest of the royal cult in Skupi) Caio Valerio Maximo and the establisher mother Iulia Victorina (Vuchkovich-Todorovich 1958, 290-295, Dragojevich

-Josifovska 1982, 68-69, 81-82, 86, 99, 118).

On this very spot, atKushica near the high poplars, ceramic pipes – tubules most probably belonging to an ancient water supply system were excavated while repairing and constructing a new water supply system for the village, thus this place got the name Old Spring. Archeological site Grmadi is believed to be the settlement or one of the village estates belonging to some of the abovementioned persons located at a distance of around 500 meters from the double late-antique tomb. While reconnoitering this are numerous rocks and tegulae were found, as well as house foundations that were probably ripped out in the process of ploughing the fields. (Vuchkovich-Todorovich 1958, 295) Archeological site Smilanci, situated around 1.2 kilometers to the south-east of the village, on the slopes of a flattened plateau and above a deep valley and an aqueous spring scattered stones and pieces of Corinth tegulae can be found. Maybe this was also the location of a village estate from the Roman period.

Archeological site Bel Krst (White Cross), a gentle hill at a distance of less than one kilometer to the south-east from the center of the village. On the top of the hill, a wide ditch was dug where most likely a roughly caved stone block was set with a recipient in the middle. Nearby the stone block, there is a stone cross inscribed in Old Slavonic letters. FINAL CONCLUSIONS The little horseshoe-shaped valley which is the resting place of Dobri Dol village is also a meeting point for several communication routes, connecting the Skopje region to the south and vice verse. The good and fertile soil and the closeness of the forests and higher pastures have provided conditions for a secure and good life for the population inhabiting this area in different time periods. The presence of quality drinking water gushing from the several watery springs (a few of which are completely dried out today) as well as the favorable and mila climate were a precondition for forming the first settlements ever since the early Stone Age.

This short review of the few archeological points in the village and its vicinity is merely a starting point for further, more scrutinized and comprehensive research into the archeological past of the village of Dobri Dol. This text was finished on the day of † Venerable Martyr Fevronija; Venerable Dionisiy Kosturski, 2014 Frear Day of Archaeology 2014 , Education , Public Archaeology archaeologist , Archaeology , Belize , Brazil , China , Degrees , Facebook , Greece , Humans of Archaeology , Institute of Archaeology , John Schofield , Montenegro , Mortimer Wheeler , Museum Studies Exhibition , Olduvai Gorge , Oureach , public engagement , Romania , Scottish Crannog Centre , Southampton University , Spain , Tessa Verney Wheeler , Turkey , UCL , United Kingdom The Institute of Archaeology can be a very quiet place in the summer. The normally buzzing building full of students (not just Archaeology types) and staff empties in early July with everyone jetting off to sometimes warmer and sunnier climes to undertake fieldwork.

This summer we have undergrads working in Belize, Romania, Montenegro, Spain, Greece, Turkey, China and all of the UK to mention but a few. Postgrads are currently working in Olduvai Gorge , Brazil, Romania in fact all over the globe. This means that finding willing or even unwilling volunteers for my Day of Archaeology blog, this year entitled ‘Humans of Archaeology’ (borrowed from the famous ‘ Humans of New York ‘ and the less well known ‘Humans of UCL ‘ projects) has proven a little tricky. However, I have been creative. As well as this I have used this to launch our very own Facebook page – ‘ Humans of Archaeology ‘ glimpses into the everyday lives of our Archaeological Staff and Students – my contribution to the #dayofarch. HUMANS OF ARCHAEOLOGY DAY 1. The first Humans of the Institute of Archaeology (IoA) – two of the founders Mortimer and Tessa Wheeler – pictures taken from the current Museum Studies Exhibition ‘ Voices of War’ – Mortimer and Tessa Wheeler founded the IoA in the 1930s, with the first students being admitted in 1937.

I gave a tour to a potential undergraduate application today and her mum and always enjoy wittering on about the history of the IoA and Mortimer’s fine trench work and even finer moustache. One of the founders of the Institute of Archaeology One of the founders of the Institute of Archaeology Or maybe…the Non-Humans of Archaeology I have been wandering the corridors of the IoA for over seven years, counting the year as a Masters Student. The majority of doors I pass today contain no humans, merely the material remains. The humans they house being out in the field excavating or researching overseas. So, instead of starting with the people of the IoA I’m going against my ‘Humans of Archaeology’ objectives and for now I’ll be exploring the Material Culture left behind by the Humans of Archaeology in the IoA. Enjoy.

Come September there will be 200+ Undergrads 200+ Masters Students 100+ Staff & PhDs…so maybe I should enjoy these hallowed corridors before the Humans return… The staff common room on the 6th floor of the IoA, empty except for the plaques and pictures at 8am today…this memorial to Tessa Wheeler Staff Kitchen – empty at 8am but the warning remains the same. Mortimer. In the staff room – gazing out even when the majority of Humans are off on fieldwork. The original 1950s floor in the staff room. The Humans of Archaeology who has walked over this would be able to tell a story or two… The balcony on the 6th floor – growing plants for the Humans of Archaeology, the few remaining for summer will be getting quite the tomato harvest. Office door no.1 – we don’t do dinos. Office door no. 2. Surreal. Office door no.3 – do what the monster says. Descending the silent 8am staircase in search of humans.

The library was / is closed today for training…even the 5th floor was quiet… Non-Humans of Archaeology – unique. Office door no.4 in the running for best office door. Office door no.5 the current winner of best door in the IoA… More non-humans on the walls. Archaeological delivery to my office ready for a taster day for the next generation of Humans of Archaeology tomorrow in Harrow…digging in the rain…make or break! I found some Humans too…a student and staff, some of whom may have been a little camera shy… As can be seen from my other blogs (in 2011 and 2012 ) I studied Archaeology at Southampton University, graduating in 2003. I went on to work at English Heritage (with John Schofield, now director of York Archaeology), the Scottish Crannog Centre, the Soay Sheep Project on St Kilda and Atkins Heritage before underaking an MSc in Human Evolution at UCL.

I then continued to work at UCL in my current role as Undergrad Admin / Fieldwork Admin / Recruitment / Museums Placement Admin / Social Networker – and sometime digger – an Archaeologist of all trades if you will. I undertake research into memorilisation in my spare time and hope one day to develop this to undertake a PhD… fingers crossed! Francesca Tronchin Day of Archaeology 2012 , Roman advocate , Anthropology , Archaeological ethics , archaeologist , Archaeology , author , Community Archaeology , Cross of Coronado , Excavation , exotic travel , Francesca Tronchin , indiana jones , Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , Library , Marcus Brody , Mortimer Wheeler , Pompeii , real archaeologist , real art historian , Rhodes College , Rhodes College in Memphis , Spit , Tennessee , tronchin , Twitter , United States “Seventy percent of all archaeology is done in the library. Research. Reading.” Which eminent scholar confidently states that statistic? Certainly someone from the last half-century, right? Perhaps an archaeologist who is concerned with the inherently destructive nature of our field. Nope. Indiana Jones. He utters these words in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

It rings ironic not only just for the general practices of this fictional character, but also because he has just told his students that archaeology is not “about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world,” yet he is about to hand the speciously-acquired Cross of Coronado to Marcus Brody. (more…) Related posts: thornton Day of Archaeology 2011 , Museum Archaeology Activism , Air-raid shelter , Archaeology , Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament , CND , Collections Manager , Counties of England , digging archaeologist , Geography , Geography of England , Glastonbury Festival , Helen Carlton-Smith , Hertfordshire , Manager my role , Mortimer Wheeler , Peace , present day District Archaeologist , RAID , Roman archaeology , St Albans , The museum archaeologist , Verulamium Hypocaust currently in Verulamium Park The museum archaeologist’s lot can be varied and since being restructured to the role of Collections Manager my role is broader than pure archaeology. However, this has given me the scope to develop some really interesting and exciting projects and one of them is to do oral history interviews with as many archaeologists who have dug on our site at Verulamium as I can.

There are several aspects to this project, a bit of hunting around and trying to track people down, then going along and interviewing them using our digital Marantz recorder and then coming back to the museum transcribing interviews.In the morning I found myself looking through the transcript of an interview in order to try to find some quotes to go with historic photographs. I’m slowly pulling together all of this research for a book which I hope to publish, we have interviews with archaeologists who worked with Mortimer Wheeler right the way through to our present day District Archaeologist. Many of today’s most respected archaeologists worked at Verulamium and these interviews are a record of their experience, life as a digging archaeologist and the town at the time.It’s fascinating work, not the least seeing some of our most interesting and exciting objects being excavated. For example, the image to the top left is from the 1930’s of the hypocaust currently in Verulamium Park and here is one of the excavators talking about it: “…we were all rather excited about the hypocaust… and I was one of those who had the fortunate opportunity to crawl along the channel, under the pavement, between the pilae which supported it.

I struck matches to see where I was going, and found myself under the centre of the mosaic…” Helen Carlton-Smith 1980 Another aspect of my work is to work on the museum documentation system. I am currently trying to improve the records by adding photographs and as much additional information about objects as I can. The afternoon was spent taking photographs of metal medieval and post medieval artefacts and then integrating them into the database.Of course, in between this there was the usual stream of public enquiries which are rich, varied and interesting. I tracked down a map which detailed all the WWII air raid shelters in St Albans and did a bit of research on the local dairy for someone. I was also part of the team which considered some new objects for acquisition- some historic CND banners.I often wonder what an oral history interview with me would sound like in fifty years!

Related posts: Elizabeth Warry Day of Archaeology , Day of Archaeology 2011 , Education , Museum Archaeology Academia , Alan Melton , Andrew Richardson , Andrew Selkirk , Anthropology , Archaeological sub-disciplines , archaeologist , Archaeology , British Museum , cellular telephone , Community Archaeology , Cultural heritage , Institute of Archaeology , Mortimer Wheeler , Museology , Portable Antiquities Scheme , Public Archaeologist , recent media fury , Samsung , Samsung Digital Discovery Centre , Sutton Hoo , Time Team , Tony Robinson As a student archaeologist, life is routine but fairly relaxed. I am currently finishing my Masters with only my dissertation left to do. I spend most of my time in the Institute of Archaeology library and talking to fellow Institute students in the park. I like the fact that we all do a range of subjects for our dissertations, from archaeology and art to conservation; it is surprising where archaeology plays a role. My dissertation is part of a project at the British Museum – I am helping to develop a new video-conferencing session, related to the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the work it does with treasure finds.

The session is going to be structured around challenge-based learning – this involves a real life situation where students have to make their own decisions based upon the resources/evidence available to them. Its main elements consist of allowing students to work by themselves with minimal input from an adult, using teamwork and applying technology. Having fun is a key aspect of the activity. I am currently making Top Trump cards of treasure finds… this should make my next presentation more entertaining, will also help me to decide which artefacts should be used for the session. I am a Public Archaeologist. Frankly, I admit that my knowledge of historical periods/civilisations is very superficial. However, I am comfortable with this as I am primarily interested in how the public perceive archaeology – through television, newspapers, museums and even politics. I work as a facilitator at the British Museum , a job I love and enjoy; it is always good to see children getting really stuck into an activity (trying to get a balance between entertainment and education, of course) and I like hearing the questions they ask. Sometimes they approach objects with a completely different perceptive, which is refreshing after reading so much academic literature.

The activities I am involved in range from following museum trails, presenting arts and crafts to schools groups and making news reports. I actually spent most of my time in the Samsung Digital Discovery Centre, where we use technology and the museum’s collections to create both family and school activities. One example is the Sutton Hoo Headline, where school children create a news report of the discovery using a video camera and a green screen – we get them to gather content by visiting the galleries using a video mobile phone. On the ‘Day of Archaeology’ I attended the Mortimer debate, an organisation named after Mortimer Wheeler which focuses on archaeology and the future, using the tag line ‘our past, our future, our choice!’. There have been problems of late with the government trying to reduce the amount legislation that protects our environment and heritage. The debate had four panel members: Tony Robinson (Time Team), Cllr Alan Melton (who sparked recent media fury by calling archaeologists ‘bunny huggers’), Andrew Selkirk and Andrew Richardson. Some interesting points were made about sustainability and the costs of commercial archaeology, ie who should pay. The debate got quite heated, especially between Tony Robinson and Alan Melton.

Melton suggested that the public were not that interested in heritage, with Robinson arguing that it is human nature to be interested in the our heritage. Does the past have value to you? Wheeler, Brig. Sir Mortimer | Monuments Men Foundation Back to The Monuments Men | Wheeler, Brig. Sir Mortimer Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler ( 1890-1976 ) Considered one of the world’s first professional archaeologists, the pioneering efforts of Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler laid the foundation for modern archaeology. Born in Scotland in 1890, he entered University College London at the young age of seventeen, earning two degrees in Classics in 1910 and 1912, respectively. His interest in art inspired him to take classes in drawing at the university’s Slade School of Art, acquiring skills he later used to sketch some of the most notable excavation sites in British history. Following graduation, Wheeler was awarded the Franks Archaeological Studentship by the Society of Antiquaries of London and University College London, undertaking the establishment of a research program on ancient Roman pottery in the Rhineland.

He also served as an advisor to the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments for England during early efforts to compose lists of historic monuments worthy of preservation. During World War I, Wheeler received The Military Cross for his service with The Royal Artillery. His postwar activities jumpstarted the organization of professional archaeology in Wales, including his work as Director of the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff and Lecturer in Archaeology at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire (today, Cardiff University). In addition, Wheeler excavated major Roman sites in England alongside his first wife and partner in the field, fellow archaeologist Tessa Wheeler. In 1926 Wheeler was appointed Keeper of the London Museum, where he drastically raised the budget, completely reorganized the collection, set new standards for the cataloguing of artifacts, and increased public education programs. Wheeler also began plans for the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, one of the first programs of its kind devoted to training the next generation of archaeologists.

In his own words, Wheeler intended to “convert archaeology into a discipline worthy of that name in all senses.” Formally opened in 1937, the Institute became a center for the study of excavation and field conservation techniques according to codified standards of excellence. Today, the Institute remains one of the largest and most well-respected archaeological departments in the world. Upon the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Wheeler was selected to command a light anti-aircraft battery. In 1941 his unit joined British Eighth Army in North Africa, participating in the advance through El Alamein and later, in Italy with the landings at Salerno. Acutely aware of the danger posed to historical monuments, he reported to the Deputy Civil Affairs Officer in Tripoli, Libya, urging that emergency measures be taken. In response, he was placed in charge of the entire operation and appointed an assistant, fellow British archaeologist Monuments Man Lt. Col. John Bryan Ward-Perkins. Together, these two Monuments Men were responsible for the safeguarding of the Roman ruins in Libya, including Leptis Magna and Sabratha.

In addition to detailed inspections throughout the area, Wheeler and Ward-Perkins reinstated the Italian officials and Arab guards at the most well-known monuments and museums. The sites were placed “out of bounds” pending their reopening under improved conditions, which the pair achieved in record time. Wheeler and Ward-Perkins created educational pamphlets and maps for visitors and organized free lectures and tours. Their cleverly intentioned efforts sparked public interest in the sites, which, in the words of Monuments Man Lt. Col. Sir Leonard Woolley, Archaeological Advisor to the War Office, was “the best safeguard for the antiquities.” Wheeler continued to set new standards in the practice of archaeology for the duration of his long and successful career. In 1944 he began a five-year appointment as Director General of Archaeology in India, duplicating his achievements in London by founding an intensive training school in excavation methods for young students in Taxila (in Pakistan following the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan).

The published reports for his own excavations introduced groundbreaking research on ancient sites across the globe, including Lydney, Gloucestershire (1929), Verulamium, Hertfordshire (1936), Maiden Castle, Dorset (1943), Arikamedu, Puducherry, India (1946), Harappa, Punjab, Pakistan (1947), Stanwick, Richmonshire (1954), and Charsada, Pakistan (1962). An abbreviated list of his honors and appointments includes Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire, Secretary of the British Academy, President of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for England, and Trustee of the British Museum. During his lifetime, Wheeler was the only man to be elected Fellow of both the Royal Society and the British Academy. Sir Mortimer Wheeler died in Surrey, England on July 22, 1976.

Mortimer Wheeler | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Religion Christian Brigadier Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler CH , CIE , MC , TD , FBA , FSA (10 September 1890 – 22 July 1976) was a British archaeologist. After service in the Royal Artillery in the First World War, he undertook excavations in Wales, England, and Northern France as Director of the National Museum of Wales and Keeper of the London Museum with his first wife, Tessa Wheeler , an accomplished field archaeologist in her own right. They were early advocates of a more scientific approach to excavation and the recording of stratigraphic context, following in the footsteps of Lieutenant General Augustus Pitt Rivers . After further service in the Second World War, he was Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India . His appearances on television and radio and popular books, particularly Animal, Vegetable, Mineral helped to bring archaeology to a mass audience. Contents Edit Wheeler - known to his family as "Bobs" but later nicknamed "Rik" [1] - was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the eldest child and only son of a journalist.

The family moved to Saltaire in 1894, and then to Shipley in 1899. Wheeler was educated at home, and then at Bradford Grammar School from 1899 to 1904, when his family moved to London. After a further period of home education, he was awarded a scholarship in 1907 to study classics at the University of London, from which he graduated with a BA in 1910 and was awarded an Master of Arts degree in 1912. He also took art classes at the Slade School of Fine Art . In 1913 he won the studentship for archaeology established jointly by the University of London and the Society of Antiquaries in memory of Augustus Wollaston Franks . Sir Arthur Evans doubled the amount of money that went with the studentship, paying out of his own pocket another £100. Wheeler studied Roman pottery in Germany, and the work led to a PhD in 1920. In 1913 he began to work for the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) .

First World War Edit At the beginning of World War I , Wheeler was commissioned into the Royal Artillery ( Territorial Force ), 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, RFA . He was awarded the Military Cross for his war service. During July 1919 he returned from the Rhineland to London and to civilian life. Early career Edit The excavations at Maiden Castle, Dorset , in October 1937 were led by Mortimer Wheeler. Photograph by Major George Allen (1891–1940). Wheeler returned to the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in 1919, but took up a new position as Keeper of Archaeology at the National Museum of Wales in August 1920. He also became a lecturer in archaeology at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire in Cardiff.

He was Director of the National Museum of Wales from 1924 to 1926. With his wife Tessa - an accomplished field archeologist in her own right - they excavated Welsh sites including Segontium , Gaer and Caerleon . He moved to London in 1926 to become Keeper of the London Museum , remaining in this position until 1944. During this period, the Wheelers performed many major excavations within Britain , including that of the Roman villa at Lydney Park , Roman Verulamium (modern-day St Albans ), and the late Iron Age hill-fort of Maiden Castle, Dorset . They worked together on establishing an Archaeological Institute in London, which was founded in 1934. The excavation methods they used, for example the grid system (later developed further by Kathleen Kenyon and known as the Wheeler-Kenyon method ), were significant advances in archaeological method, although later superseded. They were influenced greatly by the work of the archaeologist Lieutenant General Augustus Pitt Rivers (1827–1900).

The two constant themes in their attempts to improve archaeological excavation were, first, to maintain strict stratigraphic control while excavating (for this purpose, the baulks between trenches served to retain a record of the strata that had been dug through), and, second, to publish the excavation promptly and in a form that would tell the story of the site to the intelligent reader such as in articles in the Illustrated London News, where he employed the services of the noted artist Alan Sorrell . They also published their results quickly after the excavations concluded, and Mortimer proved adept at generating favourable publicity. Second World War Edit When World War II was imminent, he returned from excavating Iron Age hill forts in Normandy during 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 in the Royal Artillery . His son also served as a second lieutenant in the unit. He served with his unit with the 8th Army in North Africa, at the Second Battle of El Alamein .

He was promoted to brigadier and commanded the 12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade during the landing of Allied Forces at Salerno, Italy, Operation Avalanche in September 1943. Later career Edit The next year, now 54 years old, he retired from the Army to become Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India , exploring in detail the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization at Mohenjodaro , and other sites including Taxila, Arikamedu , Harappa , Brahmagiri and Chandravalli . While in India, he founded a new journal, Ancient India, and he later wrote a volume of the Cambridge History of India , The Indus Civilization. "Despite his very short stay as Director General, [Wheeler] infused an element of urgency into the Indian archaeological scene. With him archaeology in India became exciting, worth doing for its own sake. This excitement is apparent in the articles that he wrote, and still affects those who know the scene." — Dilip K. Chakrabarti , 1982.

[2] Through his leadership of the Archaeological Survey of India between 1944 and 1948, Wheeler had a significant impact on the archaeology of the Indian subcontinent. Indian archaeologist Dilip K. Chakrabarti praised Wheeler's achievements in a 1982 volume of the World Archaeology journal, relating that he had helped to establish a "total view" of the region's development from the Palaeolithic onward. Chakrabarti also noted that Wheeler had introduced multiple archaeological techniques and methods that were then unknown in India, through his insistence on careful archaeological planning and his emphasis on properly understanding stratigraphy . Furthermore, Chakrabarti argued that Wheeler had benefited Indian archaeology by encouraging various Indian universities to begin archaeological research, recognising that the Archaeological Survey alone could not cover such a vast area. Ultimately, Chakrabarti was of the opinion that Wheeler had "prepared the archaeology of the subcontinent for its transition to modernity in the post-Partition period." [2] Chakrabarti's opinions were echoed by another archaeologist focusing in on India, Peter Johansen, in a 2003 paper published in Asian Perspectives .

Johansen praised Wheeler for systematizing and professionalizing Indian archaeology, and for "instituting a clearly defined body of techniques and methods for field and laboratory work and training." [3] Soon after he returned to England during 1948, he was made a professor at the Institute of Archaeology at the University of London He spent part of the years 1949 and 1950 in Pakistan as Archaeological Adviser to the Government, helping to establish the Archaeological Department of Pakistan , and the National Museum of Pakistan at Karachi. He excavated the Stanwick Iron Age Fortifications in Yorkshire in 1951, and returned to Parkistan in 1956 to excavate Charsada . In 1958 he opened the extension to the Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery which doubled its available space. [4] He 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 was assiduous in appearing on radio and television to promote it.

In addition to this he collaborated with the artist and illustrator of books, Alan Sorrell , advising the artist on his archaeological reconstruction drawings. He appeared in three television series that aimed to bring archaeology to the public: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral (1952–60), which was a quiz game, an archaeological variant of Twenty Questions , Buried Treasure (1954–59), and Chronicle (from 1966), and was named British TV Personality of the Year in 1954. He is known to have prepared in advance for Animal, Vegetable, Mineral by checking out the details of any objects that had recently been removed from display in upcoming locations. [5] He became a fellow of the British Academy in 1941; and served as its Secretary from 1949 to 1968. He was also President of the Society of Antiquaries of London . He was knighted in 1952, became a Companion of Honour in 1967, and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1968. In addition to his academic and popular works on archaeology, he published three memoirs.

In 1969, along with Hugh Trevor-Roper and A. J. P. Taylor , he became a member of the editorial board of Sir Winston Churchill 's four volume A History of the English-Speaking Peoples . Personal life Bronze bust of Wheeler at the UCL Institute of Archaeology 's library. In May 1914, Wheeler married Tessa Verney. Tessa became an accomplished archaeologist, and they collaborated until she died in 1936. Their only child, a son Michael, was born in January 1915. He became a barrister and judge. In 1939, he married Mavis de Vere Cole, [6] widow and second wife of the prankster Horace de Vere Cole (d. 1936) [7] and mistress-model of the painter Augustus John . Mavis was a Bright Young Thing (a socialite of the 1920s). The Churchills were invited to this wedding and sent a book as a wedding present. Wheeler divorced Mavis in 1942 after discovering her with a lover (although he was also sexually adventurous and unfaithful). There were no children of this second marriage.

[8] In 1945 Mortimer Wheeler married his third wife, Margaret Norfolk, in Simla , but they became estranged in 1956. After suffering a stroke, he died the following day at the home of his secretary, Molly Myres, in Leatherhead.

Works Segontium and the Roman Occupation of Wales (1923) Prehistoric and Roman Wales (1925) The Roman Fort Near Brecon (1926) Report on the excavations of the prehistoric, Roman and post-Roman site in Lydney Park, Gloucestershire (1932) Verulamium: a Belgic and Two Roman Cities (1936) The excavation of Maiden Castle, Dorset : second interim report (1936) Maiden Castle, Dorset (1943) Five thousand years of Pakistan; an archaeological outline (1950) Cambridge History of India: The Indus Civilization (1953) Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London No.XVII: The Stanwick Fortifications, North Riding of Yorkshire (1954) Archaeology from the Earth (1954) Still Digging (memoir) (1955) ↑ Bassano portrait of the newly married couple, 1939 ↑ Cole (1881-1936) was brother-in-law to British politician and sometime Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain; his sister Anne de Vere Cole was Chamber

lain's wife Annie.

↑ After another set of adventures (including shooting her then lover Anthony Vivian, 5th Baron Vivian in 1954 for which she was jailed six months in Holloway ). She died in 1970 and was survived by her son, Tristan de Vere Cole (b. 1935), who claims to be the natural son of Augustus John , who co-authored a book with Roderic Owen about his mother. See Darren Devine "Last illegitimate son of Augustus John on life with 'King of Bohemia'" , Wales Online, 9 March 2012 Bibliography Edit Chakrabarti, Dilip K. (1982). "The Development of Archaeology in the Indian Subcontinent". pp. 326–344. JSTOR 124387 . Johansen, P.G. (2003). "Recasting the Foundations: New approaches to regional understandings of South Asian archaeology and the problem of Culture History".

</dl> Wheeler, Sir Mortimer Still Digging (Michael Joseph Ltd., 1955; re-published, slightly abridged by the author, by Pan Books Ltd., London, 1958, book number GP 94) Clark, Ronald William Sir Mortimer Wheeler (Roy Publishers, New York, 1960) Wheeler, Sir Mortimer The Indus Civilization (Cambridge, 1962) American Anthropologist 79.4 (1977) Hugo Vickers. "Obituary: Daphne Fielding", The Independent (UK) , Dec 17, 1997. (archived version) mentions her brother ( Lord Vivian )'s misadventures with Mavis Wheeler. Other references can be found in the 5th Lord Vivian 's obituary in The Guardian (2004) and in online Lord Bath's memoirs.

Jane McIntosh, ‘Wheeler, Sir (Robert Eric) Mortimer (1890–1976)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Sept 2012 accessed 11 March 2013 Indus valley civilization Encyclopedia > History > Asia and Africa > South Asian History Indus valley civilization Indus valley civilization, ancient civilization that flourished from about 2500 B.C. to about 1500 B.C. in the valley of the Indus River and its tributaries, in the northwestern portion of the Indian subcontinent, i.e., present-day Pakistan. At its height, its geographical reach exceeded that of Egypt or Mesopotamia. Since 1921 this civilization has been revealed by spectacular finds at Mohenjo-Daro, an archaeological site in NW Sind, and at Harappa, in central Punjab near the Ravi River. These sites, each of which measures more than 3 mi (5 km) in circumference, were once great urban centers, the chief cities of the Indus civilization.

They had large and complex hill citadels, housing palaces, granaries, and baths that were probably used for sacred ablutions; the great bath at Mohenjo-Daro was c.40 ft (12 m) long and 23 ft (7 m) wide. Beyond the citadels were well-planned towns, laid out in rectangular patterns. Houses, often two-storied and spacious, lined the town streets; they had drainage systems that led into brick-lined sewers. The economy of the Indus civilization was based on a highly organized agriculture, supplemented by an active commerce, probably connected to that of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia. The arts flourished there, and many objects of copper, bronze, and pottery, including a large collection of terra-cotta toys, have been uncovered. Most notable, however, are the steatite seals, exquisitely engraved with animal figures and often bearing a line of pictographic script. On some seals are depicted a bo tree or, as some authorities hold, a Babylonian tree of life, and others have as their central figure the god Shiva, who later became preeminent in the Hindu pantheon.

The writing, long a riddle to archaeologists, has yet to be satisfactorily deciphered; the language appears to be structurally related to the Dravidian languages. The origin, rise, and decline of the Indus valley civilization remain a mystery, but it seems most probable that the civilization fell (c.1500 B.C.) to invading Aryans . See Sir John Marshall, Mohenjo-Daro and the Indus Civilization (3 vol., 1931); E. J. H. MacKay, The Indus Civilization (1935, repr. 1983); S. Piggott, Prehistoric India (1950); Sir Mortimer Wheeler, The Indus Civilization (3d ed. 1968); J. H. Hawkes, The First Great Civilizations (1973); N. Lahiri, Finding Forgotten Cities: How the Indus Civilization was Discovered (2013). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Question: Sir Mortimer Wheeler was connected with what activity?
Answer: Archaeology