Why is a 90-year-old British Museum artifact still a complete mystery to experts?
In short: Dr. Jamie Fraser, curator at The British Museum, discusses his archaeological career and the enduring enigma of the Queen of the Night relief. This interview explores the realities of museum curation and the thrill of field excavations, from ancient Jordanian factories to global research sites.
The Queen of the Night, a celebrated piece in The British Museum, remains a subject of intense speculation. Despite being part of the collection for 90 years, its origin and the identity of the figure it portrays are unknown. Dr. Jamie Fraser, the Assistant Keeper of the Ancient Levant and Anatolia, uses this artifact to illustrate the ongoing detective work required in modern archaeology and curation.
Beyond the museum walls, Fraser shares insights from his extensive fieldwork. His career has spanned diverse regions including Syria, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Greece, and the Solomon Islands. A key highlight of his research includes the excavation of an ancient olive oil factory in Jordan, demonstrating how physical remnants of industry provide windows into past civilizations. Fraser holds a PhD in Middle Eastern Archaeology from the University of Sydney.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Museum Curation & Archaeology with Jamie Fraser
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