Lisa Cooper | Encounters with Ancient Splendors: Gertrude Bell

Presented by Lisa Cooper, Associate Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology, University of British Columbia

Encounters with Ancient Splendors: Gertrude Bell’s Archaeological Discoveries and Research in Mesopotamia, 1909-1914

Recent biographies highlight many aspects of the extraordinary life of Gertrude Bell, an early 20th century Englishwoman known for her bold travels to remote regions in the Middle East and her role in the creation of the country of Iraq. But most of these accounts tend to pass rather quickly over the one thing that drew Bell to the Middle East time and time again, and which continued to be a driving force until the end of her life: archaeology. This lecture attempts to fill that important gap concerning our appreciation of Bell by relating, through her own photographs, journal entries, books and letters, the tremendous effort she made to describe ancient monuments and antiquities, and the breadth to which she gained an understanding of the history and culture of the antique lands through which she passed. Special emphasis is placed on Bell’s travels through Mesopotamia and her investigation of several key Islamic period archaeological sites for which she developed a particular interest and specialization.

[Cla-evxp]

I'm so glad i watched this prior to the movie Queen of the Desert. Lots of information, and history. This gave me a clearer view of this magnificent woman. I thank you.

[cjayroughgarden]

Thank you doing this incredible and complex woman some justice for her strengths not just weaknesses.

[marycahill]

Wonderful talk, thank you. It gives me a deeper appreciation for the British empire and museums like the British Museum for preserving so many treasures which otherwise would be in ruins in situ.

[mahermaher]

She was friend of my great grandfather she visited his Farm every Sunday and she mention him in her books many times. she wrote: ''I sometimes think how curious it all it, yes, whether it's Faiq Beg or King September 1921
"On Sunday morning I rode up to Fahamah (about 14 miles above Baghdad) to see my friend Faiq Beg, a splendid old man" 7 February 1921
''I spent a charming hour sitting in Faiq Beg's sunny little room looking out on the river, eating his excellent oranges and listening to his sensible talk''
Faiq Beg's was my great grandfather I grew up in this same place she mentioned in her letters.

[johnscanlon]

Bell reminds me of Sir Winston Churchill: restless, responsible for a lot of kudos and some long lasting disasters, part of the elite but not much of a protector of those who trusted her, except at the time of importance. Her legacy is checkered with some great positives and a number of disasters. Like Churchill, she had a curious mind and impeccable communication skills.

[delzworld]

A great lecture about someone who has faded into an almost forgotten history.

[chipparker]

Superb presentation of this remarkable woman.

[danielesai]

Wonderful, very interesting and compelling about a great woman! 😍
Congratulations, starting from Professor Lisa Cooper! I always follow, share also on the social networks) and comment with great pleasure. 😉 😀 👏

[kaarlimakela]

In one of those first 2 biographies, I read that she told a friend with dismay, if not for oil and religion, the area would be a Paradise.

[johnscanlon]

Great talk. I thought that with the exception of Robert Patinson, the film was great and brought Gertrude Bell to a much wider audience. Greetings from BC.

[ili]

great video, thanks for sharing.. keep it up

[gamesbok]

The Cairo Conference of 1921 seems to have been attended by a lion. 14:00. They don't normally negotiate.

Bell's photography is very good, and Howell.

[kathleenhandron]

Read biography of her by Georgina Howell. Wonderful book and really worth reading.

[sedayehneda]

Excuse me but Ctesiphon was also the Summer Capital of Persian Empire built during Sassanian Dynasty...not an Arab heritage. Ms. Bell perfectly was aware of it, unfortunately you almost do not get it. The whole area for over a thousand year was Persian Empire...

[HollyBluePlanet]

How broken would be her heart if she saw what happened the day after shock and awe in 2003, when the see eye a sacked the museum for the secrets kept there. She knew that the history and memories of that culture needed to be preserved for the sake of humanity.

[QED_]

Nice life if you can get it: be a Professor of Archaeology and give lectures at the Oriental Institute . . .

[sedayehneda]

Ukhaidir Fortress was built by an Iranian Architect...

[soleaguirre]

GB una gran mujer! que coraje!
No me gustó la presentación tan rápida para tan connotada mujer; en la historia moderna de una época donde se tuvo que abrir caminos a puro coraje y mil atributos su inteligencia no tenía límites! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Ravensroost]

so much for giving the ethnic Iraqi people a say in the establishment of their nations boundaries. Again the British telling everyone else how to live!

[deepblue]

it made sad when she said " troubled Iraq" . Iraq desrve better reputation and who brought troubles to it ?