Born: 1865 (Reading, England)
Died: 1916
Biography:
Margaret Benson (16 June 1865 – 13 May 1916) was an English author and Egyptologist who made significant contributions to the field of archaeology. She is best known for her excavation of the Precinct of Mut at the Temple of Karnak in Egypt.
Margaret Benson was born in 1865 near Reading, England, into a family of intellectuals. Her father, Edward White Benson, was an Anglican educator and clergyman who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Her mother, Mary Sidgwick Benson, was the sister of philosopher Henry Sidgwick and played a crucial role in Margaret’s upbringing. Margaret demonstrated exceptional intelligence and talent from a young age.
At the age of 18, Margaret became one of the first women to be admitted to Oxford University. She attended Lady Margaret Hall, a recently founded women’s college. Her academic prowess and artistic abilities were highly regarded by her tutors, and she received praise from renowned art critic John Ruskin, who invited her to study at his school. In 1886, Margaret achieved outstanding academic success by tying for first place in the women’s examination.
In her family, several members struggled with mental illnesses, including Margaret’s father, who experienced periods of depression and violent mood swings. It is believed that Margaret, along with her brothers Arthur and Edward, and possibly her mother, Mary, identified as homosexual. Despite the societal constraints of the time, Margaret embraced her identity and lived authentically.
Margaret’s interest in Egyptology began during her first visit to Egypt in 1894, where she went for health reasons. Impressed by the ancient civilization, she became fascinated by the country’s history and embarked on a new career path as an Egyptologist. In January 1895, Margaret made history by becoming the first woman to receive a government concession to excavate in Egypt, thanks to the recommendation of Edouard Naville.
Over the course of three five-week seasons from 1895 to 1897, Margaret and her team conducted excavations at the Temple of the Goddess Mut within the Precinct of Mut at Karnak. Their work involved clearing debris from the interior and exploring the southern end of the exterior. The 1895 season, with a crew of 23 men and boys, resulted in significant discoveries, including eight statues of Sekhmet and a block statue of Amenemhet, a scribe of Amenhotep II. They also unearthed various smaller objects such as coins, beads, and pots.
During the 1896 season, Margaret expanded her team to between 35 and 50 people. They focused on excavating the gateway between the first and second court of the temple, revealing that the walls of the gateway were constructed in four distinct periods. This finding provided valuable insights into the history of the temple.
Margaret’s final excavation season in 1897 focused on further investigation of the temple’s exterior. She continued to uncover remarkable artifacts, shedding light on the religious practices and cultural traditions of ancient Egypt. Her pioneering work as a female archaeologist in a male-dominated discipline opened doors for future generations of women in the field.
Margaret Benson’s contributions to Egyptology extended beyond her excavations. She authored several books, including Temple Renaissance, which provided detailed accounts of her findings and interpretations. Her writings contributed to the broader understanding and appreciation of ancient Egyptian history and culture.
Tragically, Margaret Benson’s promising career was cut short by her untimely death in 1916. However, her legacy lives on, not only through her archaeological discoveries but also as a symbol of resilience and determination for women in academia and archaeology.