Pioneers of the Sky
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
25 April-18 August 2024

An exhibition about the history and use of aerial photography in archaeology.

Website: isac.uchicago.edu/pioneers-sky

Lawrence in Fragments: Recovering Lawrence of Arabia through the Jeremy Wilson Archive
Magdalen College Old Library, Oxford
26 July 2023-13 December 2023
and online

Using the archive of Thomas Edward Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) to tell the story of his life and work in archaeology.

Website: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/events/lawrence-in-fragments/

Digital Exhibition: lawrenceinfragments.magd.ox.ac.uk/

Lawrence at Magdalen
Magdalen College, Oxford

A new digital exhibition about noted archaeologist, explorer, and intelligence agent Thomas Edward Lawrence from the library at his alma mater, Magdalen College Oxford.

The digital exhibition links to a new online research portal which includes the recently acquired and catalogued papers of T. E. Lawrence's friend and mentor, the archaeologist David George Hogarth.

Exhibition website: lawrenceatmagdalen.magd.ox.ac.uk/

News post: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/libraries-and-archives/news/new-online-portal-and-exhibition-lawrence-at-magdalen/

The British Museum
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London

The British Museum has recently re-launched an enhanced edition of the "Collecting Histories" trail, which had been developed in 2019.  The "Collecting and Empire" trail showcases the imperial/colonial histories of 15 artefacts on display in the British Museum, including objects collected from Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Sudan, Nigeria, Virginia, Canada, Java and China.

Download the trail here.

A Surveillance Sensibility? The imperial security state and the 'amateur' films of Sir C. P. Skrine, Government of India diplomat in Iran
14 March 2019, 6-7 pm
Room 612 UCL Institute of Archaeology

Jonathan Westaway (University of Central Lancashire) will screen Skrine's films showing archaeological sites in Iran, discuss the historical context and value of these films, and explore Skrine's career. 

Lawrence of Oxford
7 Nov 2018-1 May 2019
Open Wednesdays 2-4.30 pm
Old Library, Magdalen College
Oxford

An exhibition of materials relating to archaeologist and WW1 intelligence-agent Thomas Eric Lawrence "Lawrence of Arabia" and his time and networks at Oxford University.

A series of events will be put on in association with the exhibition.

For further details see the announcement on Magdalen College's website.

Disruptors & Innovators: Journeys in gender equality at UCL
until February 2019
Daily, 9am - 7pm
Octagon Gallery, University College London

An exhibition highlighting key women at UCL in the 19th and 20th centuries and their activities, including suffrage and Egyptology.  

Admission free. Further details here.

In the footsteps of maverick Orientalists: Exploring the Royal Asiatic Society Archive

13 March 2018, 6-7pm
Room 209, UCL Institute of Archaeology

Nancy Charley (RAS archivist) and Ed Weech (RAS Librarian) discuss key British Orientalists: Thomas Manning (1772-1840); Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890) and Lady Isabel Burton (1831-1896); and Oscar Eckenstein (1859-1921).

Codebreakers and Groundbreakers
24 October 2017-4 February 2018
10-5 Tue-Sat; 12-5 Sun
Fitzwilliam Museum
Cambridge

A free exhibition highlighting the story of wartime codebreakers in Bletchley Park alongside the work of archaeological codebreakers and groundbreakers deciphering Linear B, an ancient writing system, the earliest in Europe, discovered during archaeological excavations in the early 20th century.

Website: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/calendar/whatson/codebreakers-and-groundbreakers

Aurel Stein Photographs
Royal Asiatic Society
14 Stephenson Way
London

A small display in the Reading Room of the Royal Asiatic Society features a selection of archaeologist and explorer Aurel Stein's photographs.  Hungarian-born Stein undertook extensive expeditions to Central Asia and China in the early 20th century, and the photographs on display are a selection from over 800 Stein images in the Society's archive. Read more about the display here.

Egypt Uncovered:
Belzoni and the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I
11 October 2017-14 April 2018
Tues-Sat 10am - 5 pm
Sir John Soane Museum
Lincoln's Inn Fields
London

Following the adventures of early 19th century Italian-born excavator (and former strong-man) Giovanni Battista Belzoni and the history and reception of the objects he brought back to Britain from Egypt.

Admission free. Exhibition webpage here.

Discovering archaeology sources at UCL
6 June 2017, 6-7 pm
UCL Institute of Archaeology, Room 612

Colin Penman & Robert Winckworth (UCL Records, Archives and Special Collections)

An overview of the array of material in UCL's archives relating to the history of archaeology - from university administrative records and historic student lists to personal correspondence of archaeologists.

Letters from Baghdad
UK Cinema Release from 21 April 2017

Letters from Baghdad (2016) is a documentary about Gertrude Bell and her work as an archaeologist, writer, traveller, diplomat and political mover-and-shaker in Iraq.  It premiered at the London Film Festival in October.  Actor Tilda Swinton is the voice of Gertrude Bell, with dialogue from her letters and diaries.  The documentary uses a wide range of vintage film footage showing Britain and the Middle East from the early 20th century.

Letters from Baghdad is directed by Sabine Krayenbühl and Zeva Oelbaum.

Discovering the Ancient Maya
12 January 2017, 7.30 - 9.00 pm
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Professor Norman Hammond (Cambridge) will be discussing the history of archaeology in Mexico.  The event has been organised to complement the Adela Breton exhibition at the Museum.

Tickets are free, advanced booking required. Further details available HERE.

Adela Breton: Ancient Mexico in Colour
Tues-Sun 10am -5 pm until 14 May 2017
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RL

British artist Adela Breton travelled to Mexico to record Mayan antiquities in the early 20th century.  Toward the end of her life she donated her work to the Bristol Museum, where a selection are now on display. 

Admission to the exhibition is free.  Further details can be found HERE. 

A brief biography of Breton can be read HERE.

Adventures into the Unknown
6 pm -9 pm Thursday 1 December 2016
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL

A late night event celebrating archaeological adventures past and present. Talks accompanied by themed food, drink and music.

Free tickets available HERE.

Daily 10 am - 4 pm until Spring 2017
National Civil War Centre, Newark, Nottinghamshire

An exhibition on T. E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt, featuring artefacts from the Great Arab Revolt project's seasons excavating in Jordan.

Further details HERE.

Thursday - Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm, until 8 January 2017
Bushey Museum & Art Gallery Council Chamber, Bushey, London

The artist Myrtle Broome studied Egyptology at University College London just before the First World War, and subsequently worked as an artist for Egypt Exploration Society at Abydos, Egypt.

The Bushey Museum is currently holding an exhibition of works by Broome and another artist, Hilda Gordon.  Both women travelled extensively abroad, and their paintings reflect their experiences overseas.

3 November 2016 at 4 pm
BP Lecture Theatre, Clore Education Centre, The British Museum

A free public lecture on the 19th century Royal Engineer and Palestine Exploration Fund explorer Charles Warren (1840-1927) by Kevin Shillington. Lecture for the Palestine Exploration Fund in association with the British Museum. Tickets must be booked via British Museum Box Office. Further details HERE.