1859 in archaeology

Below are notable events in archaeology that occurred in 1859.

Excavations

• February – Excavation of Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter) under Thomas Wright begins.
• Excavation of Nydam Mose in Denmark under Conrad Engelhardt begins (continues to early 1864).
• Excavation of Camirus on Rhodes under Alfred Biliotti begins (continues to 1864).^[1]

Finds

• Great Eleusinian Relief in Eleusis, Greece.^[2]
• Vigna Randanini Jewish catacombs in Rome.

Publications

• J. M. García publishes an account of Monte Albán.
• Charles Roach Smith — Illustrations of Roman London.

Miscellaneous

• 26 May & 2 June – Geologist Joseph Prestwich and amateur archaeologist John Evans report (to the Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries of London, respectively) the results of their investigations of gravel-pits in the Somme valley and elsewhere, extending human history back to what will become known as the Paleolithic Era.^[3][4]
• Imperial Archaeological Commission founded in Saint Petersburg.
• Royal Geographical Society is given a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria.^[5]

Births

Deaths

• 6 May: Alexander von Humboldt, explorer, writer

See also

• Table of years in archaeology
• 1858 in archaeology
• 1860 in archaeology