Organisation: University of Liverpool
Principal Investigator: Joanne Fitton
Project overview
John Garstang was a prolific archaeologist known for extensive excavations along the Egyptian and Sudanese Nile, Syria, Palestine, and Turkey. Between 1884-1983, the Egyptian Antiquities Service allowed excavators to retain a portion of their finds, distributing significant objects worldwide. Unfortunately, the widespread distribution of these artefacts was not properly recorded, leading to challenges in findability, accessibility and usage.
Today, many items remain miscatalogued across several institutions. The largest holdings of Garstang’s finds and archives are housed at the University of Liverpool, Garstang Museum of Archaeology and the National Museums Liverpool, though limited data is available online.
Project purpose
This project aims to enhance the accessibility and visibility of Garstang’s collections by establishing a comprehensive network of museums and experts in the northwest of England. This initiative will improve collection security and storage, ensuring safe access and documentation. The project will develop a dual language (English and Arabic) online portal to document, publicise and map Garstang finds.
This portal will aid preliminary investigations and provide digital interpretations and visualisations, streamlining the research process and enabling academic researchers to engage with previously unrecognised collections.
Project impacts
The project will transform the accessibility and visibility of Garstang’s collections, simplifying research processes and creating opportunities for collaboration. Researchers and curators will gain deeper insights into the material composition of artefacts, colonial acquisition practices, and the histories of lost landscapes and cultures.
By making Garstang’s collections more accessible, the project will enhance the understanding and appreciation of these invaluable artefacts, supporting their preservation for future generations.
