What stories could these walls tell? This is 5 Cannon Place. Here, a blue plaque commemorates Sir Flinders Petrie, the renowned Egyptologist who once lived here.
Sir Flinders Petrie lived here from 1853 to 1942. The London County Council erected this plaque in 1954. It marks his significant contributions to archaeology and ethnography. He was a pioneer of systematic methodology in archaeology.
William Matthew Flinders Petrie was born in Charlton, Kent. His mother was the daughter of Captain Matthew Flinders. Captain Flinders led the first circumnavigation of Australia. Petrie was educated at home. His father taught him how to survey accurately. At age eight, he voiced his first archaeological opinion. He insisted that earth should be carefully pared away inch by inch during excavations.
In 1892, Petrie became the first Edwards Professor of Egyptian Archaeology and Philology at University College London. Amelia Edwards, his supporter, had established the chair. Petrie continued excavating in Egypt, training many archaeologists. In 1904, he published “Methods and Aims in Archaeology”. This work defined the goals and methodology of his profession. It covered practical aspects like excavation and using cameras in the field. Petrie emphasized that research results depended on the archaeologist’s personality.
In 1913, Petrie sold his Egyptian antiquities to University College London. The collection is now housed in the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology. Howard Carter, one of his trainees, discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
Petrie surveyed British prehistoric monuments in his youth. At 19, he produced the most accurate survey of Stonehenge. In 1880, he traveled to Egypt to survey Giza. He became the first to properly investigate the pyramids’ construction.
Petrie’s survey reports and architectural analysis of Giza were exemplary. He was appalled by the destruction of monuments and felt it his duty to salvage what he could.
Petrie met Amelia Edwards, who became his strong supporter. The university offered him work as Édouard Naville’s successor. He accepted, receiving £250 per month for excavation expenses. He first went to Tanis, employing 170 workmen. He took complete control, which made him popular with his workers.
In 1886, Petrie excavated at Tell Nebesheh. There, he found a royal sphinx. By 1887, he cruised the Nile, taking photographs. He also climbed rope ladders at Sehel Island to record inscriptions.
Reaching Aswan, he learned his funding was renewed. He went to Fayum, studying post-30 BC burials. He found intact tombs and famous portraits. He discovered that mummies were kept with families for generations before burial.
In 1890, Petrie began his work in Palestine. His Tell el-Hesi excavation was the first scientific dig in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, he discovered two different types of cubit used as units of length. From 1891, he worked at Tell-el-Amarna.
In 1896, Petrie discovered the Merneptah Stele. This stele contained the first mention of “Israel” in any Egyptian text.
In the winter of 1904-5, Petrie discovered the Proto-Sinaitic script. He realized it was wholly alphabetic.
In 1923, Petrie was knighted. In 1933, he retired and moved to Jerusalem. Sir Flinders Petrie died in Jerusalem in 1942. His head was donated to the Royal College of Surgeons of London.
Petrie married Hilda Urlin in 1896. They had two children: John and Ann. The family lived here at 5 Cannon Place.
Petrie’s meticulous recording and study of artifacts set new archaeological standards. He pioneered seriation in Egyptology by linking pottery styles with periods. Petrie mentored a generation of Egyptologists, including Howard Carter.
The Petrie Medal was created to celebrate Petrie’s seventieth birthday. It is awarded for distinguished work in archaeology.
Now, standing before this blue plaque, remember Sir Flinders Petrie. He left an indelible mark on Egyptology and archaeology.