The Excavations at Nimrud (Kalh̆u), 1960

Abstract

The tenth season of excavations at Nimrud, sponsored by the British School of Archaeology in Iraq, began on March 2nd and ended on May 5 th, 1960. The success of the expedition was largely due to the energetic and competent staff, with whom it was a privilege, and a pleasure to work. Miss Barbara Parker, in her ninth season on the site, acted as photographer and epigraphist, and her flair and experience were, as ever, invaluable in the organisation of the expedition. Mr. David Stronach again played an important part in supervising the excavations, took many of the dig photographs and dealt with the metal objects. We were particularly fortunate in obtaining the services of three experienced archaeologists who joined us for the first time this year. Mr. H. S. Smith, Fellow of Christ's College and Lecturer in Egyptology at Cambridge University, adapted himself most energetically to the Assyrian way of life, and his specialised knowledge was of particular value in dealing with the ivories. Mr. J. J. Orchard, of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, was responsible for a great part of the catalogue and, with Mr. D. French, for the extraction, cleaning and conservation of the ivories, a most exacting and laborious task; Mr. French also recorded the pottery. We were glad to have the experienced help of Professor J. Laessøe for the latter part of the season, in site supervision, photography and the typing of the catalogue; and Miss Ann Searight, who came as a volunteer, gave valuable aid with the cleaning and treatment of the finds. To all my colleagues I must express my gratitude for hard work and good company. I am sure they would wish to join me in thanking the Director General of Antiquities, Sayid Taha Baqir, and his staff, and Sayid Fuad Safar, Inspector General of Excavations, for the generous assistance and friendly co-operation which makes our work in Iraq a pleasure; and in recording our appreciation of the help given to us by Sayid Selim al-Jelili, the representative of the Directorate General with the expedition, and Sayid Behnam Abo al-Soof, then Inspector of Antiquities in Mosul Liwa.