Archaeologists, Tourists, Interpreters

Exploring Egypt and the Near East in the Late 19th–Early 20th Centuries

Nonfiction, History, Africa, Egypt, Ancient History, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Archaeology
Cover of the book Archaeologists, Tourists, Interpreters by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs ISBN: 9781472588814
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: September 24, 2015
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic Language: English
Author: Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
ISBN: 9781472588814
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: September 24, 2015
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Language: English

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, growing numbers of tourists and scholars from Europe and America, fascinated by new discoveries, visited the Near East and Egypt – attracted by the riches and mysteries of the Land of the Bible. Almost all such visitors, no matter how esoteric or academic their pursuits, had to deal with the local authorities and the native workforce for their archaeological excavations. The vast majority of these visitors had to rely on interpreters, dragomans, translators and local guides.

This study, based on published and unpublished travel memoirs, guidebooks, personal papers and archaeological reports of the British and American archaeologists, deals with the socio-political status and multi-faceted role of interpreters at the time. Those bi- or multi-lingual individuals frequently took on (or were forced to take on) much more than just interpreting. They often played the role of go-betweens, servants, bodyguards, pimps, diplomats, spies, messengers, managers and overseers, and had to mediate, scheme and often improvise, whether in an official or unofficial capacity.

For the most part denied due credit and recognition, these interpreters are finally here given a new voice. An engrossing story emerges of how through their many and varied actions and roles, they had a crucial part to play in the introduction to Britain and America of these mysterious past cultures and civilizations.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, growing numbers of tourists and scholars from Europe and America, fascinated by new discoveries, visited the Near East and Egypt – attracted by the riches and mysteries of the Land of the Bible. Almost all such visitors, no matter how esoteric or academic their pursuits, had to deal with the local authorities and the native workforce for their archaeological excavations. The vast majority of these visitors had to rely on interpreters, dragomans, translators and local guides.

This study, based on published and unpublished travel memoirs, guidebooks, personal papers and archaeological reports of the British and American archaeologists, deals with the socio-political status and multi-faceted role of interpreters at the time. Those bi- or multi-lingual individuals frequently took on (or were forced to take on) much more than just interpreting. They often played the role of go-betweens, servants, bodyguards, pimps, diplomats, spies, messengers, managers and overseers, and had to mediate, scheme and often improvise, whether in an official or unofficial capacity.

For the most part denied due credit and recognition, these interpreters are finally here given a new voice. An engrossing story emerges of how through their many and varied actions and roles, they had a crucial part to play in the introduction to Britain and America of these mysterious past cultures and civilizations.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book The Psychology of Screenwriting by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Ghostwriting by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Reading Mina Loy’s Autobiographies by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Frostgrave: Thaw of the Lich Lord by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Cosmopolitan Perspectives on Academic Leadership in Higher Education by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Bolt Action: Germany Strikes! by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Schleiermacher: A Guide for the Perplexed by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Maria Theresa by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Outbreak by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book The Mind of Mithraists by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Continuing Professional Teacher Development in Sub-Saharan Africa by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Émigré and Foreign Troops in British Service (1) by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book The Cleverness of boys by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Intellectual Humility by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
Cover of the book Evolution, Chance, and God by Maya Muratov, Nicholas Reeves, Dr Rachel Mairs
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy