Judith McKenzie (archaeologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judith McKenzie
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copyright by Oxford Centre for Late Antiquity
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| Born | 28 November 1957 |
| Died | 27 May 2019 (aged 61) |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BA, PhD) |
| Occupation | Archaeologist |
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Notable work
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The Architecture Of Alexandria And Egypt 300 BC-AD 700, The Architecture of Petra |
| Awards | James R. Wiseman Book Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Faculty of Classics, University of Oxford |
| Thesis | The Architecture of Petra |
Judith Sheila McKenzie (born November 28, 1957 – died May 27, 2019) was an Australian archaeologist. An archaeologist is a scientist who studies human history and prehistory by digging up old sites and artifacts. Judith McKenzie was famous for her work on the ancient buildings of the Middle East.
At the time of her death, she was a professor at the University of Oxford in England. She also led a special project called Manar al-Athar. This project is like a huge online library of pictures of ancient sites in the Middle East, which anyone can use for free. McKenzie was especially known for her detailed studies on the architecture of two ancient cities: Petra and Alexandria.
Contents
Her Early Life and Studies
Judith McKenzie earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, at the University of Sydney in Australia. During her studies, she learned about archaeology, but also about chemistry, English, and ancient history.
She continued her studies at the University of Sydney and received her doctorate degree in 1985. For her doctorate, she spent a lot of time living in a cave in Petra, a famous ancient city in Jordan. Her detailed research from this time was later published as a book called The Architecture of Petra. This book was so important that it was printed again several times.
Exploring Ancient Buildings
After finishing her studies, Judith McKenzie moved to Oxford, England. She became a research fellow, which means she got to do important research. She held different research positions, including one funded by the British Academy.
She also spent time as a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, in the United States.
From 2003, McKenzie led a project to study the Khirbet et-Tannur Nabataean Temple. The Nabataeans were an ancient Arab people who built amazing cities like Petra. In 2016, she received a big grant from the European Research Council for a project about the art of early Christian and Islamic buildings.
McKenzie started the Manar Al-Athar project in 2012. She was the director of this project until she passed away. This project helps people around the world see and learn about ancient sites through thousands of images.
Important Discoveries and Books
Judith McKenzie's 2007 book, The Architecture Of Alexandria And Egypt, was a huge success. It won the James R. Wiseman book award in 2010 from the Archaeological Institute of America. They called it a "monumental accomplishment," meaning it was a very impressive and important piece of work.
Her research helped people understand how ancient buildings influenced later ones. For example, she showed how the famous Pharos, a lighthouse in ancient Alexandria, influenced other buildings.
McKenzie also worked on the Garima Gospels. These are very old, beautifully illustrated religious books from Ethiopia. She published a book about them with Francis Watson in 2016. This book was the first to show all the colorful pages of the gospels. McKenzie even helped create an exhibition about these gospels in Oxford in 2017, so others could see these hidden treasures.
Judith McKenzie passed away on May 27, 2019, when she was 61 years old. Her work continues to help us understand the amazing architecture of the ancient world.
Selected Books
- 1990. The Architecture of Petra. Oxford University Press.
- 2007. The Architecture of Alexandria and Egypt, 300 B.C.–A.D. 700. Pelican History of Art, Yale University Press.
- 2013. J. McKenzie, J. Greene, A.T. Reyes, et al. The Nabataean Temple at Khirbet et-Tannur, Jordan, Volume 1. Architecture and Religion, Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research 67.
- 2016. Judith S. McKenzie and Francis Watson The Garima Gospels: Early Illuminated Gospel Books from Ethiopia (University of Exeter Press)
