Charles Newton Research Paper
Charles Thomas Newton – The Successful Career of a 19th Century British Archaeologist
Sir Charles Thomas Newton (1816 – 1894) was a 19th century British archaeologist who served the British government from various diplomatic posts across the Mediterranean and as the first appointed keeper of Greek and Roman antiquities at the British Museum. His work record as an archaeologist included excavations at various sites in what is today Turkey and Greece. These excavations led to his crowning achievement, the discovery of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, listed among the seven wonders of the ancient world. His work in the British Museum was marked by the acquisition of important exhibits from across the Levant. Newton’s long and successful career …show more content…
Newton’s life can be divided into three distinct periods. The first period includes the years from the time of his birth up until the age of thirty-six. During this period he received the type of higher education that proved useful in the years that followed. The second period started along with his career as a diplomat in 1852. In that year, Newton quit his previous post as Junior Assistant in the Department of Antiquities at the British Museum in order to become vice-consul at Mitylene, the capital of the Aegean island of Lesbos then under Ottoman rule. His appointment masked what was in essence an archaeological mission. The second period of Newton’s life was marked by frequent journeys in the East and discoveries of ancient artifacts and ruins. It ended in 1861 with his return to Britain and his subsequent appointment as the head of a department in the British Museum. The period from 1861 until his demise in 1894 is characterized by his administrative work and his recognition as the “head of classical archaeology” in …show more content…
In 1855, while visiting the castle in the city, he came across fragments of ancient sculpture among the stones on its walls. However, getting permission from the Ottoman sultan in order to conduct excavations in the area would be difficult and demanded the use of every connection at his disposal. As a British diplomat, Newton had important connections within the Foreign Office, including the British Ambassador to Constantinople at the time, Lord Stradford de Redcliffe, and Lord Clarendon, the Foreign Secretary himself. These important figures were able to secure the necessary firmans, that is the Ottoman imperial licenses, to excavate in Bodrum, while placing a warship at his disposal in order to help him with his discovery. Work at the site begun in 1857 and led to the discovery of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus , one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The same site was the source of numerous pieces of sculpture that were shipped back to London, drawing obvious comparisons with the Elgin Marbles, on account of their importance and beauty
Sir Charles Thomas Newton (1816 – 1894) was a 19th century British archaeologist who served the British government from various diplomatic posts across the Mediterranean and as the first appointed keeper of Greek and Roman antiquities at the British Museum. His work record as an archaeologist included excavations at various sites in what is today Turkey and Greece. These excavations led to his crowning achievement, the discovery of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, listed among the seven wonders of the ancient world. His work in the British Museum was marked by the acquisition of important exhibits from across the Levant. Newton’s long and successful career …show more content…
Newton’s life can be divided into three distinct periods. The first period includes the years from the time of his birth up until the age of thirty-six. During this period he received the type of higher education that proved useful in the years that followed. The second period started along with his career as a diplomat in 1852. In that year, Newton quit his previous post as Junior Assistant in the Department of Antiquities at the British Museum in order to become vice-consul at Mitylene, the capital of the Aegean island of Lesbos then under Ottoman rule. His appointment masked what was in essence an archaeological mission. The second period of Newton’s life was marked by frequent journeys in the East and discoveries of ancient artifacts and ruins. It ended in 1861 with his return to Britain and his subsequent appointment as the head of a department in the British Museum. The period from 1861 until his demise in 1894 is characterized by his administrative work and his recognition as the “head of classical archaeology” in …show more content…
In 1855, while visiting the castle in the city, he came across fragments of ancient sculpture among the stones on its walls. However, getting permission from the Ottoman sultan in order to conduct excavations in the area would be difficult and demanded the use of every connection at his disposal. As a British diplomat, Newton had important connections within the Foreign Office, including the British Ambassador to Constantinople at the time, Lord Stradford de Redcliffe, and Lord Clarendon, the Foreign Secretary himself. These important figures were able to secure the necessary firmans, that is the Ottoman imperial licenses, to excavate in Bodrum, while placing a warship at his disposal in order to help him with his discovery. Work at the site begun in 1857 and led to the discovery of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus , one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The same site was the source of numerous pieces of sculpture that were shipped back to London, drawing obvious comparisons with the Elgin Marbles, on account of their importance and beauty