Early Archaeology
Archeological sites excavated before the 20th century.
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Ancient Thebes | Belzoni and Carter discovered many of the tombs in the 19th century. This was the first attempt to systematically excavate the Valley of the Kings, which had been a well-known source for antiques long before. | |
| Danube Limes | In multiple locations, excavations were conducted before the 20th century, e.g. Regensburg (2nd half of the 19th century), Künzing (1897-8), Schlögen (1838-40), Enns (mid 19th century), Carnuntum (from 1885), Bratislava-Rusovce (1888-91). (Nomination file, p. 106-108, 111, 117) | |
| Dilmun Burial Mounds | "The burial mounds were mentioned by explorers and travellers to Bahrain throughout history. The first recorded excavations were in the late 1880s." (AB Ev) | |
| Longobards in Italy | The archaeological area in Brescia had had "[a]rchaeological campaigns carried out since 1823 to the present". (Nomination file, p. 136) | |
| Lower German Limes | "Lithography showing the first scientific excavation (1827–1834) at Voorburg-Arentsburg (Forum Hadriani)" (Nomination file, p. 48) – "Reuvens is famous for his excavations at the former estate of Arentsburg at Voorburg, where he lived in 1827–1834. Here, he uncovered parts of the Roman town of Forum Hadriani, recording his findings in excellent drawings and plans." (Nomination file, p. 88) – In 1820, "the first excavations in the area of the legionary fortress in Bonn took place." (Nomination file, p. 89) Between 1819 and 1844 Philipp Houben, who stood on the threshold between antique collecting and scientific archaeology, carried out extensive excavations in the area of the legionary camps, the CUT and the burial grounds at his own expense. (wiki) | |
| Pompei | Excavation of Herculaneum started at 1738. It was the first site ever to have been excavated. | |
| Sangiran Early Man Site | "1883: The Dutch paleoanthropologist Eugène Dubois undertook preliminary fieldwork at Sangiran. However, Dubois did not find many fossils of interest so he shifted his attention to Trinil in East Java where he found significant discoveries." (Wikipedia) | |
| Syracuse | Altar of Hieron: "Amateur archaeological excavations were undertaken by Giuseppe Maria Capodieci in 1780, Saverio Landolina in 1813, and F.S. Cavallari in 1839. The only systematic and scientific excavations of the site were undertaken by Robert Koldewey and Otto Puchstein in 1893." (wiki) | |
| Troy | Excavation by Schliemann and Calvert started at 1865. It was the first time a historical text was connected to an archaeological excavation. This was also the first stratigraphic excavation. |
Suggestions?
Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Early Archaeology?
A connection should:
- Not be "self evident"
- Link at least 3 different sites
- Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
- Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
- Be explained, with reference to a source