Archaeology Night on BBC4

[1man1desk]

Posted by medi-evil

quote:Mortimer Wheeler seemed mad as a brush, no mention of his ... cutting comments on Indians.

Don't know about those comments, but worth mentioning in that context that, as I understand it, at independence both India and Pakistan begged him to stay on as head of their antiquities service, suggesting that they held him in high regard.

He turned India down on the grounds that they had sufficient well-trained Indians to take over, and accepted Pakistan's offer on the condition that they immediately started training his (Pakistani) successor. That does suggest a degree of respect for Indians and Pakistanis, to me.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[medi-evil]

In one book I read as an under-grad he is quoted describing them as "miserable bifurcated radishes", whatever that means, like I say mad as a brush.

[BAJR Host]

You got love an insult like that...

Will use that... I can think of some who would fit that description!
:face-approve:

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[mesolithic viking]

Does anybody have a transcript of this bit when Wheeler is talking about the dancer girl statue, could really use it in my research.

quote:Originally posted by medi-evil

Mortimer Wheeler seemed mad as a brush, no mention of his celebrity wife-beater status or cutting comments on Indians. Particularly enjoyed his description of the naked dancing girl statue, "Yes, a girl of fifteen..."

Careful, it might be hallucinogEeEe**33nnnn..