Happy Birthday, You Bastard

10th September, Sir Mortimer Wheeler

Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler CH CIE MC TD FRS FBA FSA,

10th September, 1890

Growing up in Wales, it’s hard not to become interested in archaeology and history. Everywhere you look there are castles, standing stones, stone circles, burial mounds, Roman ruins and hillforts. Drive along a road and you’ll see dozens, hundreds even, of burial mounds dotted along the skyline. For thousands of years, the ghosts of the ancients have been peering through the rain and fog down on the valleys below, watching the rivers whip and switch through time.

Screech to a halt, leap over a hedgerow and wander into a field and you’re almost bound to come across a great lump of earth under which some Bronze Age people buried their ancestors. You might expect these ancient tombs to contain some wonderous treasure - there are so many of them, how can they not? But every single one of them - every single one - will have a little hollow in the top where, at some point in the 18th Century, some enterprising local gent, with a bunch of ruddy-faced farm-hands in tow, attacked it with shovels in search of something shiny.

The Victorians used to have parties where they’d all quaff claret and roast swan and then wander out by torchlight, shovels over their shoulders, to go and dig up some treasure from a nearby burial mound. The term ‘Antiquarian’ used to apply to the people who excavated the past in the years before archaeology was a thing. The problem with them was that they were after the gold and the swords and nothing else mattered. Not only did they not apply any sort of sensible methodology to what they were doing, but they threw away all the stuff they thought was ‘rubbish’ and made no records of what they did find. That ‘rubbish’ is now the sort of thing that archaeologists find invaluable. It’s the residue of human existence that tells you everything about the lives of the people from the past which, after all, is what archaeology is about.

They weren’t all bad. Some of them were genuine pioneers and at least attempted some sort of rudimentary method. But it wasn’t until the 20th Century that a methodological and scientific approach to the discipline of archaeology was developed and if anyone could be said to have invented the modern approach to archaeology, it would be Sir Mortimer Wheeler.

In Raiders of the Lost Ark, there are several people who all combine to keep Indy on the road, punching Nazis and destroying shit that, nominally at least, it’s his job to look after. Sir Mortimer Wheeler would have played about 8 roles in those movies, from Indy himself to the museum director, to the university dean, to Belloc and probably Sallah as well. He even served in both World Wars and, nearly, got to punch some Nazis.

Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler, known as Mortimer Wheeler, was a towering figure in the field of archaeology and a decorated soldier, whose contributions transformed both the academic and public understanding of archaeology. Born on September 10, 1890, in Glasgow, Wheeler’s career was marked by an exceptional combination of fieldwork, academic rigor, and public engagement. His role as a soldier during both World Wars further highlighted his versatility, while his efforts in archaeology set enduring standards in excavation techniques, public outreach, and the scientific analysis of historical remains. Through his legacy, Wheeler became one of the most famous archaeologists of the 20th century, shaping both the methodology of archaeology and the way the public perceived it.

Wheeler’s early years were spent in Edinburgh, where his family moved shortly after his birth. He was an avid student, excelling in classical studies and history, which led him to study at the University of London. After graduating, Wheeler embarked on a career as a civil servant before pursuing his passion for archaeology. His early work was heavily influenced by the rigorous methods he had learned in his university days. One of his earliest and most significant projects was the excavation of the Roman fort at Segontium, North Wales, which provided a platform for his later accomplishments.

However, before his archaeological career could fully blossom, Wheeler’s life took a dramatic turn with the outbreak of World War I. He served in the British Army and displayed a natural aptitude for leadership, rising to the rank of major. His military service was marked by acts of bravery and a keen organizational skill, traits that would later serve him well in his archaeological work. Wheeler’s military experience not only earned him recognition—he was awarded the Military Cross—but also shaped his approach to archaeology. The discipline, planning, and coordination required on the battlefield became hallmarks of his archaeological methodology.

After the war, Wheeler returned to his academic pursuits with renewed vigor, quickly making a name for himself in British archaeology. His post-war excavations, notably at Verulamium (modern St. Albans), exemplified the precise and structured techniques that he had honed. Wheeler’s excavations were characterized by meticulous attention to stratigraphy, the careful recording of layers of occupation, which was a relatively new concept at the time. Stratigraphy allowed archaeologists to better understand the chronology of a site, and Wheeler’s application of this method at Verulamium revolutionized how archaeology was conducted in Britain. His work confirmed the city’s Roman heritage and provided invaluable insights into urban life during the Roman occupation of Britain.

The success of Verulamium cemented Wheeler’s reputation, and he continued to refine his techniques, introducing the now-famous “Wheeler box-grid” system. This method involved dividing the excavation site into a grid of squares, with trenches dug in between, allowing archaeologists to record the exact position of finds in three dimensions. The box-grid method was crucial in distinguishing between different layers of occupation, and it became standard practice in archaeological excavations worldwide. Wheeler’s emphasis on scientific rigour and careful documentation ensured that archaeology moved away from mere treasure hunting and evolved into a systematic discipline.

Maiden Castle, Dorset. The Iron Age hillfort was excavated by Sir Mortimer in 1934-1937

During this period, Wheeler also became increasingly involved in public outreach. His charismatic personality and clear communication skills made him a natural teacher and lecturer. He recognized that archaeology had the potential to capture the public’s imagination and that engaging the broader public was essential for securing funding and support for future projects. His appearances on radio and later on television helped popularize archaeology and made him a household name in Britain. Wheeler’s ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and engaging manner allowed people from all walks of life to appreciate the importance of archaeology and its contribution to understanding human history.

Wheeler’s most famous and influential role came in 1944 when he was appointed Director-General of Archaeology in India. The Indian subcontinent, with its vast and ancient civilizations, presented new challenges and opportunities for archaeological exploration. Wheeler’s work in India, particularly at Harappa, was groundbreaking. He applied his box-grid system to the vast mounds of the ancient Indus Valley civilization, uncovering new layers of its urban and social structure. His discoveries helped expand the understanding of the Harappan civilization, which had remained largely mysterious before his arrival. Wheeler’s work also contributed to a more nuanced understanding of the cultural exchanges between India and other parts of the ancient world, demonstrating the interconnectivity of early civilizations.

In India, Wheeler left a lasting legacy not only through his discoveries but also through his mentorship of local archaeologists. He played a crucial role in establishing institutions such as the Archaeological Survey of India and training a generation of Indian archaeologists who would continue the work he had started after India gained independence in 1947. His efforts were instrumental in professionalizing archaeology in the region, and he is still remembered as one of the key figures in Indian archaeology.

Despite his formidable achievements in the field, Wheeler’s military career was far from over. With the outbreak of World War II, he once again donned the uniform and served with distinction. Although Wheeler did not see front-line combat, his organizational skills were invaluable in helping coordinate logistics and intelligence efforts in the Middle East. The war provided another outlet for his talents as a leader and problem solver, and he emerged from the conflict as both a decorated soldier and an even more determined archaeologist.

Wheeler’s fame extended far beyond his work in India and Britain. By the 1950s, he had become one of the most recognizable faces in archaeology worldwide, largely due to his pioneering use of television to communicate archaeological discoveries. His popular television series, Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? brought archaeology into living rooms across Britain and established him as a media personality. The show featured Wheeler and other experts examining artifacts and attempting to identify their origins, blending education with entertainment. This program not only showcased Wheeler’s expertise but also his quick wit and engaging manner, further solidifying his role as a public intellectual.

In terms of his scholarly contributions, Wheeler was a prolific writer, publishing numerous books on archaeology, including Archaeology from the Earth, where he outlined his approach to excavation and his vision for the future of the discipline. His writings were accessible to both specialists and laypeople, reflecting his belief that archaeology should be open to everyone. Wheeler’s publications helped standardize excavation techniques and influenced generations of archaeologists.

Wheeler’s legacy to the field of archaeology is immense. He is credited with transforming it from a hobbyist pursuit into a professional scientific discipline. His methods, particularly the use of stratigraphy and the box-grid system, are still in use today. Moreover, his emphasis on public engagement laid the groundwork for modern archaeological communication and education. Wheeler demonstrated that archaeology could captivate the public and enrich our understanding of the past, shaping public perceptions of the field for decades to come.

In his later years, Wheeler continued to lecture, write, and inspire young archaeologists. He remained a prominent figure in British cultural life until his death in 1976. His influence on the field of archaeology remains unparalleled, and his legacy lives on through the countless excavations and discoveries that followed his innovations.

Sir Mortimer Wheeler not only advanced the science of archaeology but also made it accessible to a global audience. Through his meticulous work in the field, his scholarly contributions, and his charismatic public presence, Wheeler ensured that archaeology would be recognized not just as a scientific endeavor but as a vital part of understanding human history. His impact continues to resonate today, in the fieldwork of archaeologists around the world and in the enduring public fascination with the past.