Born: 1917 (Nicosia, Cyprus)
Died: 2010
Biography:
Honor Frost (28 October 1917 – 12 September 2010) was a pioneer in the field of underwater archaeology, who led many Mediterranean archaeological investigations, especially in Lebanon, and was noted for her typology of stone anchors and skills in archaeological illustration.
Born in Nicosia, Cyprus, Frost was an only child who tragically became orphaned at an early age. She was then taken in as the ward of Wilfred Evill, a London solicitor and art collector. With a passion for art, Frost studied at the Central School of Art and the Ruskin School of Art. She also worked on ballet set design with Rambert and held a job at Tate Britain as the Director of Publications.
Frost’s adventurous nature led her to dive into the 17th-century well in her friend’s backyard while wearing a World War II diving suit. This experience ignited her love for diving, and she once proclaimed, Time spent out of the water was time wasted.
After Jacques Cousteau’s invention of SCUBA diving, Frost became a diver and artist, working in France and Italy during the early 1950s. As a member of the Club Alpin Sous-Marin, the world’s first scuba diving club, Frost’s first exposure to underwater archaeology was through her collaboration with Frédéric Dumas. It was Dumas who later assisted her in the Gelidonya excavation.
In 1957, Frost joined Dame Kathleen Kenyon’s team in Jericho, working as a draughtsman on her first land excavation. During an expedition in Turkey, Frost played a critical role in the discovery of the Gelidonya shipwreck, a late Bronze Age vessel. While the wreck had been previously detected by Turkish diver Mustafa Kapkin and U.S. photo-journalist Peter Throckmorton, Frost’s insight led to the realization that it was not Mycenean but Phoenician, providing the first evidence of Phoenician maritime trade before the Iron Age.
Recognizing the significance of her findings, Frost convinced Joan du Plat Taylor, whom she had met at the Institute of Archaeology in London, to co-direct the Gelidonya excavation. This excavation, later continued by George Bass and Peter Throckmorton, marked the first extensive underwater archaeological work at Cape Gelidonya in southern Turkey. Dated to the 12th century BC, the Bronze Age shipwreck was the oldest known wreck at the time. It was also the first to be fully excavated on the seabed, following a scientific approach.
Frost’s contributions were not limited to Gelidonya. In 1968, she led a UNESCO expedition to survey the Pharos site in Alexandria, Egypt, where the lighthouse of Alexandria was once located, further displaying her commitment to exploring ancient maritime history.
Honor Frost’s passion, determination, and expertise in underwater archaeology paved the way for future generations in the field. Her typology of stone anchors and archaeological illustrations continue to guide research and exploration in the Mediterranean. She left an indelible mark on the understanding of maritime trade and the influence of Phoenician culture.
Awards:
– Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) – 1966
– Jean Negulesco Prize for Art in Relation to Archaeology – 1968
– Gold Medal, Sir Robert Mond Travelling Fellowship – 1975
– National Geographic Society’s President’s Bronze Medal – 1986