John Clegg (archaeologist) facts for kids

John Clegg (born January 11, 1935 – died March 11, 2015) was an important Australian archaeologist. He was one of the first people in Australia to really focus on studying rock art. Rock art includes ancient drawings or carvings found on rocks.

Growing Up and School

John Clegg was born on January 11, 1935, in Nottingham, England. He grew up in Cambridge, where his mother was a university professor.

During World War Two, John and his sister moved to Vancouver, Canada, for safety. This time sparked his lifelong interest in sculpture, which is the art of making 3D shapes. After the war, he returned to England. He attended The Leys School and then Magdalene College at Cambridge University.

In 1959, he earned his first degree in Arts. He also received a teaching certificate. In 1962, he got his Master's degree from Cambridge. He first studied Geography, but later changed to Archaeology.

Moving to Australia

John Clegg worked on archaeological digs with famous archaeologists Eric Higgs and Charles McBurney. These experiences greatly influenced his studies. After his university studies, he worked as a school teacher.

In 1963 and 1964, he traveled to Australia. He worked as an archaeologist, digging at a place called Coygan Cave in South Wales. In 1964, Clegg moved to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He started working in archaeology at the University of Queensland.

Archaeology Career

John Clegg's Master's thesis was titled Mathesis Words, Mathesis Pictures. He finished it in 1978. For this project, he studied the rock art at a site called Bare Hill near Cairns in Queensland. This was a very important study. It was the first time anyone in Australia looked at rock art using archaeological methods. He even won a special University Medal for his excellent work.

Clegg went on to write over 60 papers and books about archaeology. He was known as a unique and respected teacher. He made his lectures fun and interesting, often adding drama and humor. In the 1980s, he began teaching in the Archaeology Department at the University of Sydney. He also helped create a popular book called Field Guide to the Rock Art of Sydney (Stanbury & Clegg 1990). This guide helped many people learn about the ancient art in the Sydney area.