DOI Artikel:
Barański, Marek: The first archaeologist of Palmyra
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26423#0036
Marek Barański
Tyrwhitt Drakę 1872/11: 238) [Fig. 1], M. F. Bambino, Vice-consul of France in Homs, Hamah,
Ummar Bey, a Hungarian officer stationed for some months in Palmyra and Mr. Charles F. Tyr-
whitt Drakę, Burton's co-author.
Burton finished off with advice for futurę travelers planning archaeological excavations in
Palmyra: Futurę traoelers are advised to curry with them a crowbar, a rope-ladder, a plank or two, and
cords with hooks, so as to explore the upper stories oftomb towers, which may hitherto have escaped ran-
sacking, and I should advise them to dig, not at the Southwest ofthe ruins where we did, but to the northeast,
where a large biot ofdark ashen ground, scattered over dwarf tumuli, denotes according to our Fellahin in-
formants, the Siyaghab, or gold and silver smiths' bazaar. Włren searching ruins, the explorer will do well
to remember General Cesnolas rule, namely, to dig along the inner walls, not in a center. The result, in
Cyprus at least, left nothing to be desired (Burton, Tyrwhitt Drakę 1872/11: 245).
To my knowledge Burton's archaeological tips were never put to use, because no one has ever
mentioned him as a predecessor. His cali to dig in Palmyra: There is no better field for inquiry than
these grand old ruins, did not find ready followers.
In recapitulation, it is evident that the first excavations took place in Palmyra in April 1870.
A few sites were chosen in the Southwest Necropolis of Palmyra. Some archaeological artifacts,
as well as human remains were recovered. Based on the published description, this archaeological
work appears to be on par with comparable digs in Egypt and the Near East of the time. The ex-
cavations and the finds were described and important objects were enumerated. Most importantly,
however, the archaeological work and the study of the findings were of a scientific naturę. It was
not a random search, but from the very beginning the declared goal was to dig the oldest tombs
and an appropriate place was selected. The artifacts and human remains were subjected to com-
parative analysis and specialist anthropological research by Dr. Carter Blake and Prof. Jean Louis
Armand de Quatrefages of the Musee National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. In the end, the results
of the excavation were summed up and presented to the public in a lecture given at the Anthro-
pological Society of London. Next Burton's lecture was printed and published. Such a scientific
approach exceeded the standard of the age.
Let us sum up Burton's archaeological activities in Palmyra and how they would be judged
today. First of all, Burton was not interested in copying known descriptions of the Palmyra ruins.
Despite his linguistic knowledge and interests, which are evident in other parts of his book, he
did not devote a single word to the architecture, inscriptions etc. of the site. Lady Burton preferred
to speak of the difficulties of travel to Palmyra. Burton obviously believed he could not contribute
to the images of Palmyra already published by Robert Wood, Josias L. Porter, Charles G. Addison
and Melchior de Vogtie. Therefore, he preferred to present in his book other sites in Syria, which
were less known due to difficult and dangerous access.
Secondly, Burton was concerned with cultural and anthropological interactions. Together with
Dr. James Hunt he established in 1863 the Anthropological Society of London, known today as
the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. By doing archaeological work in
the Palmyra tombs he wanted to contribute to an international discussion on the ancient giants,
capable of building the magnificent monuments of Antiąuity. This is confirmed in his personal
comment to Dr. Carter Blake, included in the minutes of the discussion, which followed the public
lecture: Captain Burton replied in a few words. Fle did not attach the least importance to the modem legends
about gigantic races in ancient Syria and Palestine; ofthe size of ancient tombs he would treat elsewhere.
Mr. Porter’s theories and assertions have long ago been disposed of. The present tenants of Palmyra are
simply Fellahin, reclaimed Bedawin. Finally, although the ancient civilization had passed away, he believed
that the present race is capable, under faoourable circumstances oftaking a high standing (Burton, Tyrwhitt
Drakę 1872/11: 257-258).
Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton died on 19 October 1890 and was buried in the St. Mary
Magdalenę Churchyard in Mortlake, London. His tomb resembles in form the kind of tent that he
had used during his Oriental travels.
34
Studia Palmyreńskte XII
Tyrwhitt Drakę 1872/11: 238) [Fig. 1], M. F. Bambino, Vice-consul of France in Homs, Hamah,
Ummar Bey, a Hungarian officer stationed for some months in Palmyra and Mr. Charles F. Tyr-
whitt Drakę, Burton's co-author.
Burton finished off with advice for futurę travelers planning archaeological excavations in
Palmyra: Futurę traoelers are advised to curry with them a crowbar, a rope-ladder, a plank or two, and
cords with hooks, so as to explore the upper stories oftomb towers, which may hitherto have escaped ran-
sacking, and I should advise them to dig, not at the Southwest ofthe ruins where we did, but to the northeast,
where a large biot ofdark ashen ground, scattered over dwarf tumuli, denotes according to our Fellahin in-
formants, the Siyaghab, or gold and silver smiths' bazaar. Włren searching ruins, the explorer will do well
to remember General Cesnolas rule, namely, to dig along the inner walls, not in a center. The result, in
Cyprus at least, left nothing to be desired (Burton, Tyrwhitt Drakę 1872/11: 245).
To my knowledge Burton's archaeological tips were never put to use, because no one has ever
mentioned him as a predecessor. His cali to dig in Palmyra: There is no better field for inquiry than
these grand old ruins, did not find ready followers.
In recapitulation, it is evident that the first excavations took place in Palmyra in April 1870.
A few sites were chosen in the Southwest Necropolis of Palmyra. Some archaeological artifacts,
as well as human remains were recovered. Based on the published description, this archaeological
work appears to be on par with comparable digs in Egypt and the Near East of the time. The ex-
cavations and the finds were described and important objects were enumerated. Most importantly,
however, the archaeological work and the study of the findings were of a scientific naturę. It was
not a random search, but from the very beginning the declared goal was to dig the oldest tombs
and an appropriate place was selected. The artifacts and human remains were subjected to com-
parative analysis and specialist anthropological research by Dr. Carter Blake and Prof. Jean Louis
Armand de Quatrefages of the Musee National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. In the end, the results
of the excavation were summed up and presented to the public in a lecture given at the Anthro-
pological Society of London. Next Burton's lecture was printed and published. Such a scientific
approach exceeded the standard of the age.
Let us sum up Burton's archaeological activities in Palmyra and how they would be judged
today. First of all, Burton was not interested in copying known descriptions of the Palmyra ruins.
Despite his linguistic knowledge and interests, which are evident in other parts of his book, he
did not devote a single word to the architecture, inscriptions etc. of the site. Lady Burton preferred
to speak of the difficulties of travel to Palmyra. Burton obviously believed he could not contribute
to the images of Palmyra already published by Robert Wood, Josias L. Porter, Charles G. Addison
and Melchior de Vogtie. Therefore, he preferred to present in his book other sites in Syria, which
were less known due to difficult and dangerous access.
Secondly, Burton was concerned with cultural and anthropological interactions. Together with
Dr. James Hunt he established in 1863 the Anthropological Society of London, known today as
the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. By doing archaeological work in
the Palmyra tombs he wanted to contribute to an international discussion on the ancient giants,
capable of building the magnificent monuments of Antiąuity. This is confirmed in his personal
comment to Dr. Carter Blake, included in the minutes of the discussion, which followed the public
lecture: Captain Burton replied in a few words. Fle did not attach the least importance to the modem legends
about gigantic races in ancient Syria and Palestine; ofthe size of ancient tombs he would treat elsewhere.
Mr. Porter’s theories and assertions have long ago been disposed of. The present tenants of Palmyra are
simply Fellahin, reclaimed Bedawin. Finally, although the ancient civilization had passed away, he believed
that the present race is capable, under faoourable circumstances oftaking a high standing (Burton, Tyrwhitt
Drakę 1872/11: 257-258).
Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton died on 19 October 1890 and was buried in the St. Mary
Magdalenę Churchyard in Mortlake, London. His tomb resembles in form the kind of tent that he
had used during his Oriental travels.
34
Studia Palmyreńskte XII