Title: Giza: Western Cemetery; G 4630, G 4730
Date: 1914
Description: Cemetery G 4000: street between G 4630 (to W) and G 4730 (to E), men at work
Repository: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Date: 1914
Description: Cemetery G 4000: street between G 4630 (to W) and G 4730 (to E), men at work
Repository: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
I found this photo in the Harvard-MFA Giza Expedition Collection. I chose it because I studied Near Eastern Archaeology as an undergraduate and have spent time working in archaeological archives with photos similar to this one. Both early and modern archaeological excavations extensively use photography as a way to document location and to complement written documentation. So many of these photos, however, have become historic images themselves. When this photograph was taken, the theories and practice behind the discipline of archaeology were much different than they are today. It offers a glimpse into a practice that, while aiming to discover the ancient, has become dated itself.
Good example. It does look a bit chaotic compared to the way a dig would look today!
ReplyDeleteGreat example of what NOT to do. I've taken some archaeology undergrad courses and the importance of setting up grids and stratification, organization was so important. It looks like the facilitators hired locals to help with the dig. I always wondered about that. It is a common sight to see. I would be worried about what could be missed without the untrained eye. However, this is significant documentation, especially for the people/institution that is backing the project.
ReplyDelete