Robert John Braidwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert John Braidwood
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| Born | June 29, 1907 |
| Died | January 15, 2003 (aged 95) |
| Education |
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| Spouse(s) | Linda Braidwood |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Chicago |
| Thesis | The comparative archaeology of early Syria: from the time of the earliest known village cultures through the Akkadian period. (1943) |
| Doctoral advisor | James Henry Breasted |
| Doctoral students | Robert McCormick Adams Jr. Patty Jo Watson |
| Other notable students |
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Robert John Braidwood (born July 29, 1907 – died January 15, 2003) was an American archaeologist and anthropologist. He helped create scientific archaeology. He was also a leader in studying the ancient history of the Near East.
About Robert Braidwood's Life
Robert Braidwood was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 29, 1907. He went to the University of Michigan. In 1933, he earned a master's degree in architecture.
Soon after, he joined an important trip. This trip was to the Amuq Plain with archaeologist James Henry Breasted. Braidwood worked on this trip until 1938. During this time, he married Linda Schreiber. She was also a graduate from Michigan. Linda became his partner in his work and research.
During World War II, Braidwood worked for the United States Army Air Corps. He managed a program that mapped weather. In 1943, he earned his Ph.D. (a very high degree) from the University of Chicago. The university then hired him. He became a professor there until he retired.
Some people think that the character Abner Ravenwood from the Indiana Jones movies was based on Braidwood. Ravenwood was a famous archaeologist from the University of Chicago. He was known for his work in faraway places. He was also a mentor to "Indy." Braidwood's friend, James Henry Breasted, is also thought to be a possible model for Indiana Jones.
Robert John Braidwood passed away on January 15, 2003, in Chicago. His wife, Linda, died on the very same day.
Robert Braidwood's Discoveries
The trip to the Amuq Plain in Hatay, Turkey, was very important. It was one of the first scientific archaeological surveys. This means they carefully dated artifacts. They did this by making detailed maps and keeping good records.
In 1947, Braidwood learned about carbon dating. This is a way to find the age of old objects. He learned it from his friend Willard Libby in Chicago. Braidwood started using this method. It helped him to date artifacts more accurately.
Also in 1947, Braidwood started the Jarmo Project in Iraq. This was a new kind of dig. It aimed to find out how early people started producing food. It also looked at how this changed their environment. The project brought together archaeologists, biologists, and geologists. This was a new idea at the time. In 1954, they received a grant from the National Science Foundation. This was one of the first times such an award went to an anthropology project.
Later, the political situation in Iraq became difficult. Braidwood had to leave. He then started similar projects in Iran and Turkey.
Braidwood also worked at a site in southern Turkey called Çayönü. He worked with researchers from Istanbul University. They found a lot of evidence there. This evidence supported a big idea. It showed that between 8,000 and 12,000 years ago, people in southern Turkey changed. They went from being hunter-gatherers (who found their food) to an agricultural society (who grew their food).
Braidwood wrote a book called "Prehistoric Men." It was a popular booklet published in 1967. It was part of a series from the Field Museum of Natural History.
Braidwood was recognized for his important work. He became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1963. He joined the United States National Academy of Sciences in 1964. In 1966, he became a member of the American Philosophical Society. In 1971, he received the Gold Medal of the Archaeological Institute of America. This award is for great achievements in archaeology.
See also
In Spanish: Robert John Braidwood para niños
