Kenan Erim facts for kids
Kenan Tevfik Erim (born February 13, 1929, in İstanbul – died November 3, 1990, in Ankara) was a famous Turkish archaeologist. He spent many years digging up ancient ruins at a place called Aphrodisias in Turkey. He worked there from 1961 until he passed away.
Life of Kenan Erim
Kenan Erim's father, Tevfik Erim, was a diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. His father worked for important groups like the League of Nations and the United Nations.
Kenan Erim grew up and went to school in Geneva, Switzerland. Later, he studied at universities in the United States. He earned his first degree in Classical archaeology from New York University (NYU) in 1953. He then completed his Ph.D. at Princeton University in 1958.
In 1957, he taught at Indiana University. From 1958, he worked at NYU, where he became a full professor in 1971. Today, the NYU Institute of Fine Arts still helps with the excavations at Aphrodisias. There is a special memorial for Professor Erim near a rebuilt ancient structure called the Tetrapylon.
Awards and Honours
Kenan Erim received several important awards for his work:
- 1961: Guggenheim Fellowship
- 1986: Liberty Medal of New York City
- 1987: Commendatore of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy
- 1988: National Geographic Society Centennial Medal
