Browsing by Author "Rahbek-Nielsen, Terry"

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    Harriet Boyd: an experiment in archaeology, 1900
    (2005) Rahbek-Nielsen, Terry; Humphrey, John W.
    Previously unpublished letters Harriet Boyd (1871-1945) wrote in 1900 assist in identifying the processes of her journey to becoming the first female archaeologist to direct excavations. Boyd's experiences in 1900 led to her future career as an excavator and academic, opened the doors to women as field archaeologists, and initiated a considerable presence for American archaeological research on Crete. Supported by her published report, the letters confirm Boyd's status in 1900 as a novice who was taught current techniques of survey and excavation by the male archaeologists also present on Crete. At the same time these sources reveal the beginnings of her unique collaborative approach as well as her intention to encourage women as archaeologists. The study of Boyd's contributions to archaeology is a recently-begun process; highlighting these letters as primary sources clarifies the development of her induction as an archaeologist and creates opportunity for new assessments of her work.