The diaspora of Cypriot antiquities and the British Museum, 1860-1900
This thesis examines the invention of Cyprusâ ancient history through the diaspora of Cypriot antiquities in the latter half of nineteenth century and the role of the modern museum in it (1860-1900). It maps the movement of the objects from their excavation sites, to their circulation in metropolitan museums and, finally to their display in museum galleries. In doing so this thesis explores the emergence of archaeology as a field-based discipline in the broader colonial, imperial and geopolitical context. The research of this project was conducted mainly at the Cyprus State Archives, the Greek and Roman Departmental Archives (British Museum), Dartmouth College Archives (NH). The first part of the thesis provides the theoretical framework in which this research is situated. Chapter 1 introduces the project, its research questions, its research questions and outcomes. Chapter 2 discusses the literature providing the main concepts that formed the arguments of this thesis. Chapter 3 contextualizes the diaspora of Cypriot antiquities within the broader history of archaeology and Chapter 4 overviews the methodology followed and the archival sources that were used for this project. The second part consists of my
Nikolaou, Polina
historical geography ; archaeology ; museum ; history of science and exploration ; object diaspora ; Mediterranean region
The diaspora of Cypriot antiquities and the British Museum, 1860-1900. This thesis examines the invention of Cyprusâ ancient history through the diaspora of Cypriot antiquities in the latter half of nineteenth century and the role of the modern museum in it (1860-1900). It maps the movement of the objects from their excavation sites, to their circulation in metropolitan museums and, finally to their display in museum galleries. In doing so this thesis explores the emergence of archaeology as a field-based discipline in the broader colonial, imperial and geopolitical context. The research of this project was conducted mainly at the Cyprus State Archives, the Greek and Roman Departmental Archives (British Museum), Dartmouth College Archives (NH). The first part of the thesis provides the theoretical framework in which this research is situated. Chapter 1 introduces the project, its research questions, its research questions and outcomes. Chapter 2 discusses the literature providing the main concepts that formed the arguments of this thesis. Chapter 3 contextualizes the diaspora of Cypriot antiquities within the broader history of archaeology and Chapter 4 overviews the methodology followed and the archival sources that were used for this project. The second part consists of my
diaspora cypriot antiquity british_museum examines invention cyprus ancient_history diaspora cypriot antiquity latter role modern museum map movement object excavation_site circulation metropolitan museum finally display museum gallery explores emergence archaeology field based discipline broader colonial imperial geopolitical context project conduct mainly cyprus state greek roman departmental british_museum college first_part provide theoretical_framework situate introduces project question question outcome discus literature provide main concept form argument thesis contextualizes diaspora cypriot antiquity within_broad history_archaeology overview follow archival_source use project second_part consist