Born: 1888 (London, England)
Died: 1985
Biography:
Gertrude Caton Thompson, FBA (1 February 1888 – 18 April 1985) was an English archaeologist who made significant contributions to the field at a time when women’s participation in the discipline was uncommon. Throughout her career, she conducted archaeological work in various regions, including Egypt, Zimbabwe, Malta, and South Arabia. Caton Thompson’s notable achievements include developing a technique for excavating archaeological sites and providing valuable insights into Paleolithic to Predynastic civilizations in Zimbabwe and Egypt. Her dedication to archaeology and her influential positions in organizations such as the Prehistoric Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute have left a lasting impact on the field.
Born in 1888 in London, England, Gertrude Caton Thompson was the daughter of William Caton Thompson and Ethel Page. She received her education from private schools in Paris and Eastbourne, including the Links School, where she was taught by Miss Hawtrey. Caton Thompson’s interest in archaeology was sparked during a trip to Egypt with her mother in 1911, and further fueled by lectures on Ancient Greece given by Sarah Paterson at the British Museum. An inheritance received in 1912 allowed her to pursue her passion and provided financial support for her future excavations.
Caton Thompson’s first experience in the field came in 1915 when she worked as a bottle washer in an excavation in France. During World War I, she worked for the British Ministry of Shipping and attended the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 as part of her duties. In 1921, Caton Thompson enrolled at University College London, where she studied under the guidance of renowned archaeologists Margaret Murray, Flinders Petrie, and Dorothea Bate. She participated in excavations in Upper Egypt during that winter, which laid the foundation for her future work.
The following year, she joined Newnham College, Cambridge, to further her studies before embarking on additional excavations in Egypt with Petrie and Guy Brunton in 1924. In collaboration with Margaret Murray, Caton Thompson contributed to the excavation of the megalithic temple of Borg en Nadur near St. George’s Bay in Malta in 1921. Her main responsibilities during this project included exploring the caves near the temple in search of Neanderthal skulls, which would have provided evidence for a land bridge between Malta and Africa. Although the theory did not hold, the excavation yielded significant artifacts such as Bronze Age pottery that closely mirrored Sicilian styles of the same period.
Throughout the 1920s, Caton Thompson primarily focused her archaeological work in Egypt, where she worked for the British School of Archaeology Egypt. She participated in excavations at several sites, including Abydos, El-Badari, and Qau el Kebir. Caton Thompson’s research in Prehistoric Egypt stood out, as she examined the entire timespan from the Palaeolithic to Predynastic Egypt, contributing to a broader understanding of Egypt’s ancient history.
Caton Thompson not only discovered a number of important archaeological finds but also developed a technique for excavating sites that involved leaving sections untouched for later research, ensuring the preservation of valuable contexts. Her meticulous approach and attention to detail set a standard for archaeological fieldwork that continues to influence the discipline today.
In addition to her significant contributions to archaeology, Caton Thompson held various official positions, including serving on governing bodies and committees of organizations such as the Prehistoric Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute. Her leadership and expertise played a crucial role in shaping the direction of British archaeology and fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the field.
Gertrude Caton Thompson’s passion for archaeology, her groundbreaking excavations, and her dedication to preserving and advancing the discipline continue to inspire archaeologists and historians today. Her profound impact on the field, particularly during a time when women faced significant barriers in academia, highlights her role as a trailblazer in women’s history.
Awards:
– Fellow of the British Academy