In Search of Kings and Conquerors: Gertrude Bell and the Archaeology of the Middle East

The extraordinary life of Gertrude Bell was marked by myriad achievements. Although best known for her intrepid desert travels and her part in the creation of the modern state of Iraq, she also made a significant contribution to the field of archaeology. At the height of her career, Bell journeyed into the heart of the Middle East retracing the steps of the ancient rulers who left tangible markers of their presence in the form of castles, palaces, mosques, tombs and temples. Among the many sites she visited were Ephesus, Binbirkilise and Carchemish in modern-day Turkey as well as Ukhaidir, Babylon and Najaf within the borders of modern Iraq. Lisa Cooper here explores Bell’s achievements, emphasizing the tenacious, inquisitive side of her extraordinary personality, the breadth of her knowledge and her overall contribution to the archaeology of the Middle East. Featuring many of Bell’s own photographs, this is a unique portrait of a remarkable life.
Lisa Cooper is Associate Professor of Near Eastern Art & Archaeology at the University of British Columbia. She is the author of Early Urbanism on the Syrian Euphrates.