An important collection of Bronze and Iron Age artefacts from the Jericho and Jerusalem excavations by one of the 20 th Century’s most influential archaeologists, Dame Kathleen Mary Kenyon (1906–1978), will be on display at the Potter Museum of Art, from 23 October 2013 to 6 April 2014.

The exhibition features terracotta figurines, loom weights, spindle whorls and many pottery vessels from tombs at Jericho, excavated by British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon from 1952–54, and from Kenyon’s 1967 excavations at Jerusalem. The domestic and cultic objects reveal insights into the daily life and death at these two ancient cities.

The finds were allocated to the University of Melbourne as a teaching collection in return for the financial support for Kenyon’s excavations provided by the University’s Middle Eastern Studies department.

Over 100 remarkable early ceramics will be on display from Kenyon’s excavations; including selected key items from several Bronze Age tombs at Jericho, and the large Iron Age deposit from Cave 1 in Jerusalem.

Curator, Dr Andrew Jamieson, says as well as presenting important archaeological objects from two of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited sites, the exhibition tells the story of Kenyon’s significant contribution to Near Eastern archaeology.

“Dame Kathleen Kenyon made significant contributions in the field of stratigraphic excavation techniques which she perfected at Jericho. She also introduced innovative approaches in ceramic methodology.

“Best known for her excavations at Jericho and Jerusalem, she helped train a whole generation of archaeologists, including Australian scholar Basil Hennessey, who went on to become Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Sydney.

“Kathleen Kenyon’s work continues to resonate throughout the archaeological world. Her field methods and scientific techniques strengthened the discipline of archaeology. She is often credited with popularizing archaeology. ”, Dr Jamieson said.

The exhibition will be officially opened on Tuesday 22 October by Associate Professor Louise Hitchcock of the University’s Classics and Archaeology programme. Associate Professor Hitchcock is currently co-directing an archaeological excavation in Israel at Tell es-Safi/Gath, which provides fieldwork and training opportunities for students at the University of Melbourne.

Image: Ceramic figurine of a bull, Jerusalem, Iron Age, c. 1200–586 BCE The University of Melbourne Art Collection, Middle Eastern Studies Collection