Sir Robert Eric Mortimer's Life And Achievements
Sir Robert Eric Mortimer wheeler was widely renowned for his work on archaeology in places such as Great Britain and Most importantly India as well as his advancements in scientific methods of archaeology. Mortimer was born in September 11th 1890, Scotland and died 22nd 1976, London.
Mortimer wheeler was educated at Bradford grammar school during his early youth then attended the university college London followed by forced military service during WWI.
Mortimer’s first excavation took place in Essex Searching for roman remains during 1819-1920. This excavation in search for roman remains continued and was conducted in Wales and in Hertfordshire where he proudly unearthed a lost roman settlement near St Albans. Wheeler conducted more excavations
from maiden castle to India where he focused on helping the government research into the Indus civilization and their origins.
Mortimer wheeler was an extremely successful and dedicated man, he received many well deserved honors and distinctions. He was ‘Knighted’ in 1952 and was made ‘companion of honor’ in 1967, ‘a trustee’ of the British museum and ‘president of the social society’.
Wheeler was seen as a great man although under the ‘hood’ or ‘backstage’ he wasn’t the person he appeared to be. His ethical behavior was reported to be flawed by “London’s daily mail”, the described him as a “bully, sex pest and a groper”. Wheeler also gave one of his wives an ancient artifact that wasn’t allowed to be given out.
Returning to the positive side of his life, Mortimer pioneered one of the most advanced methods of excavation during the 20th century. The “grid system”. Although it was further advanced later on by a woman called “Kathleen Kenyon”. The grid system consisted of a 5x5m square holes within a larger grid. If they dug deep enough they could compare the layers of the earth and compare objects and resources to find out what era things were built in. This term was later coined as ‘Stratigraphy’.
Unlike some of the other so called “archeologists” like Giovanni Belzoni, Mortimore was an actual archaeologist. He collected vital information and ancient artifacts that were used in assistance on discovering an ancient civilization and what life was like living in that specific civilization. He wanted them brought back to museums to be preserved and protected unlike the looters who sold them to the highest bidder on black-markets or to the rich. He cared for history and culture over the money when compared to majority of the other so called “archaeologists”.
Mortimer wheeler was educated at Bradford grammar school during his early youth then attended the university college London followed by forced military service during WWI.
Mortimer’s first excavation took place in Essex Searching for roman remains during 1819-1920. This excavation in search for roman remains continued and was conducted in Wales and in Hertfordshire where he proudly unearthed a lost roman settlement near St Albans. Wheeler conducted more excavations
from maiden castle to India where he focused on helping the government research into the Indus civilization and their origins.
Mortimer wheeler was an extremely successful and dedicated man, he received many well deserved honors and distinctions. He was ‘Knighted’ in 1952 and was made ‘companion of honor’ in 1967, ‘a trustee’ of the British museum and ‘president of the social society’.
Wheeler was seen as a great man although under the ‘hood’ or ‘backstage’ he wasn’t the person he appeared to be. His ethical behavior was reported to be flawed by “London’s daily mail”, the described him as a “bully, sex pest and a groper”. Wheeler also gave one of his wives an ancient artifact that wasn’t allowed to be given out.
Returning to the positive side of his life, Mortimer pioneered one of the most advanced methods of excavation during the 20th century. The “grid system”. Although it was further advanced later on by a woman called “Kathleen Kenyon”. The grid system consisted of a 5x5m square holes within a larger grid. If they dug deep enough they could compare the layers of the earth and compare objects and resources to find out what era things were built in. This term was later coined as ‘Stratigraphy’.
Unlike some of the other so called “archeologists” like Giovanni Belzoni, Mortimore was an actual archaeologist. He collected vital information and ancient artifacts that were used in assistance on discovering an ancient civilization and what life was like living in that specific civilization. He wanted them brought back to museums to be preserved and protected unlike the looters who sold them to the highest bidder on black-markets or to the rich. He cared for history and culture over the money when compared to majority of the other so called “archaeologists”.