We are commencing a new series of blog posts, in which we will be highlighting select volumes in the Richard J. Scheuer collection. We are delighted to present our first treasure, and what better volume to begin with than:
Digging up Jericho / by Kathleen M. Kenyon. London : Ernest Benn Limited, ©1957. Call Number: DS110.J4K4 1957
Presented as a gift to the Albright on November 4, 1957 (then the American School of Oriental Research) by the author herself, this small green volume holds the report of her excavations spanning the years 1952-1956 at Jericho. The renowned archaeologist inscribed a dedication to the American School on the title page in blue pen. It is this inscription that has marked it in our collection as a priceless part of our institutional history. It reads:
“To the American School, in grateful recognition for all the help given in Jericho – Kathleen M. Kenyon”
Dame Kathleen M. Kenyon, in her capacity as the director of the British School of Archaeology in Jerusalem, directed the excavations at Jericho. She worked in conjunction with other institutions, one of which was the American School of Oriental Research (ASOR), which eventually became the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research. See below her entry in the preface regarding the collaboration with ASOR:
A note on this ground breaking archaeologist from our director, Katharina Schmidt:
“I was very moved when I read the dedication from one of the greatest archaeologists of her time. Kathleen Kenyon is a major pioneer in our field and was not only a key founder of the stratigraphic method but also an excellent field archaeologist. Her monographs of the excavations at Tell es-Sultan show the meticulousness she displayed both during excavations and in terms of her publications. They remain a valuable reference work to this day.”
More entries to come on the blog as we continue this new series from the Albright library.
Emily Johnson
Head Librarian
