Thursday, June 21, 2007

Peter Ucko buried at Highgate.


Sad news for the living… archaeologist, Peter John Ucko: born London 27 July 1938; Lecturer in Anthropology, University College London 1962-72, Director, Institute of Archaeology and Professor of Comparative Archaeology 1996-2006 (Emeritus); Principal, Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies 1972-81; and Professor of Archaeology, Southampton University 1981-96; died in London on the 14th of June 2007. Why do I like him? Because of his writings on prehistoric female figurines, in particular the very interesting “Anthropomorphic figurines of predynastic Egypt and neolithic Crete with comparative material from the prehistoric Near East and mainland Greece.” (London. A. Szmidla. 1968). Very useful for anyone interested in those fleshy female figurines, currently considered within the Pagan scene and in popular literature to be “Goddesses” – and they may well be… But don’t decide until having a look at what archaeological experts such as Ucko say about them. A funeral service for Professor Ucko will take place at 12pm on 26 June, at St Michael’s Church, South Grove, Highgate, followed by burial in Highgate Cemetery.

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