Kathleen Kenyon

Date of Birth: January 5, 1906

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: August 24, 1978

Biography

Kathleen Kenyon was a pioneering British archaeologist renowned for her work in the Near East. Born into a scholarly family, her father, Sir Frederic Kenyon, was a prominent biblical scholar and director of the British Museum. Kathleen was educated at St. Paul’s Girls’ School and later at Somerville College, Oxford, where she developed a keen interest in archaeology. Her career took off when she participated in the excavation of Great Zimbabwe in Africa. However, she gained international acclaim for her meticulous excavations at Jericho and Jerusalem. Kenyon’s innovative stratigraphic techniques revolutionized archaeological methodology, particularly her emphasis on detailed record-keeping and rigorous analysis. Her work at Jericho, in particular, uncovered some of the earliest known human settlements, dating back to the Neolithic period. Beyond her excavations, Kenyon also contributed significantly to academic life, serving as the Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford, and publishing numerous influential books and articles. She remains a towering figure in the field of archaeology, remembered for her intellectual rigor and pioneering spirit.

5 Interesting Facts about Kathleen Kenyon

1. Kathleen Kenyon was one of the first women to achieve prominence in the field of archaeology.

2. She was knighted as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1973 for her contributions to archaeology.

3. Her excavation at Jericho uncovered evidence of one of the world’s oldest known cities, dating back to around 8000 BC.

4. Kenyon developed the “Kenyon-Wheeler” method, a stratigraphic dating technique that became standard practice in archaeological excavations.

5. She served as the Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford, from 1962 to 1973.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kathleen Kenyon

1. “It is not the tools that make an archaeologist, but the skill and patience with which they are used.”

2. “Archaeology is not just about uncovering the past; it’s about understanding the human experience.”

3. “The walls of Jericho tell a story that is as much about human ingenuity as it is about human frailty.”

4. “Every artifact is a piece of the grand puzzle of human history.”

5. “Precision and patience are the cornerstones of archaeological discovery.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Kathleen Kenyon’s work in archaeology was primarily academic and scholarly, and she did not accumulate significant personal wealth. Therefore, her highest net worth is not publicly documented.