Some aspects of the contribution to British archaeology of Charles Roach Smith (1806-90)
From around 1838 to 1861, Charles Roach Smith played a central role in the revival and development of British archaeology. Among the first to whom archaeology was no longer subservient to history. Smith adopted and encouraged a strongly positivist approach and, influenced by Douglas and the comte de Caylus, effectively inaugurated the study of minor antiquities within Britain. His comparative artifact research, regional and international in scope, led to the development of Dark Age archaeology as an international field of study. Smith's ideas on the organisation of British archaeology were derived from Northern France, where the democratisation of knowledge was more advanced. His aims were to extend to the middle classes the opportunity for involvement in archaeological research and publication (which was vital in view of the rising scale of archaeological destruction), to obtain government support (since they had little by way of private funds), and to improve standards by emphasising meritocracy rather than aristocracy in the ruling bodies of the discipline. Modelled on the Societe Frangaise pour la Conservation des Monuments Historiques, the British Archaeological Association, which Smith jointly inaugurated,
Rhodes, Michael
Some aspects of the contribution to British archaeology of Charles Roach Smith (1806-90). From around 1838 to 1861, Charles Roach Smith played a central role in the revival and development of British archaeology. Among the first to whom archaeology was no longer subservient to history. Smith adopted and encouraged a strongly positivist approach and, influenced by Douglas and the comte de Caylus, effectively inaugurated the study of minor antiquities within Britain. His comparative artifact research, regional and international in scope, led to the development of Dark Age archaeology as an international field of study. Smith's ideas on the organisation of British archaeology were derived from Northern France, where the democratisation of knowledge was more advanced. His aims were to extend to the middle classes the opportunity for involvement in archaeological research and publication (which was vital in view of the rising scale of archaeological destruction), to obtain government support (since they had little by way of private funds), and to improve standards by emphasising meritocracy rather than aristocracy in the ruling bodies of the discipline. Modelled on the Societe Frangaise pour la Conservation des Monuments Historiques, the British Archaeological Association, which Smith jointly inaugurated,
aspect british_archaeology charles smith around charles smith play_central_role revival development british_archaeology among first archaeology longer history smith adopt strongly positivist influenced douglas effectively inaugurate study minor antiquity within britain comparative artifact regional_international scope lead development dark_age archaeology international field study smith ideas organisation british_archaeology derive northern_france democratisation knowledge advance aim extend middle_class opportunity involvement archaeological publication vital view rise scale archaeological destruction obtain government support since little way private fund improve standard emphasise rather aristocracy rule body discipline modelled conservation des monuments british archaeological association smith jointly inaugurate