Amanda Adams

In your new book Ladies of the Field you chronicle the lives and legacy of archaeology’s first women in the field. How did you first encounter these remarkable individuals?

I was really familiar with the history of archaeology and the discipline’s “great men” but constantly found myself asking: where are the women? By the 1940s, female archaeologists had broken into the field with relatively large numbers, but I wanted to know more about the early trailblazers. That desire led me to conversations with other archaeologists, a lot of research and collecting of rare articles, a lot of pouring over the pages of old field journals and photographs. The hunt took me to libraries in Paris, the UK, Berkeley, Massachusetts, etc. It involved a lot of time and a lot of coffee.

And the book is set in Victorian times?

It is - all seven women were born in or worked during the Victorian era. It was a time when women’s rights were at an abysmal low. Prevailing medical views of the day claimed that females were deficient in every way, espe¬cially the brain. The seven women presented in Ladies of the Field are delicious evidence to the contrary.

You’re a professional archaeologist yourself aren’t you?

I am. Or maybe a better way of saying it is: I was. I have a Master’s degree in archaeology and I’ve excavated some amazing sites here in North America, Europe and the Middle East. I even worked as a private archaeological con¬sultant for years. These days though I’m more passionate about digging up a good story to write than digging a site.

What’s the most exciting thing you ever found?

Definitely a toss up between a gorgeous Hellenistic mosaic on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and a dirty old oyster shell – hello aphrodisiac! – on the floor of an urban 19th century brothel.

The ladies you write about embody the often-overlooked contributions historically made by women to the sciences. How did they help advance the field of archaeology?

They were truly instrumental in changing how archaeology was approached and understood. Some were savvy in launching the careers of not just themselves, but of prominent male archaeologists like Flinders Petrie. Many of the women spurred critical conservation efforts. Most made unique archaeological discoveries and published their findings. But above all else, I’d say they played a huge role in changing archaeological field methodology – making it more precise and rigorous. Taken as a whole, the seven women I focus on show us the evolution of the discipline. It was a foundational time.

How were these ladies perceived by their contemporaries?

Some thought they were crazy. Others thought they were amazing. A lot of male colleagues viewed the ladies with suspicion, on occasion contempt, even fear. Zelia Nuttall, who worked in Mexico, was notorious for giving the guys a hard time.

The narrative style of your book is so accessible for a topic that could be incredibly dense. How would you describe your writing style?

I’d call it breezy academic. I wanted to present the stories of these incredible women to my readers with all the facts and truth available, but in a zestier way than most scholarly treatments. To write in a style that captures and flat out admires their bravado and the undeniable romance of their actions.

Did you have a personal favorite?

I’d be hard-pressed to choose! Each woman is so inspiring in her own right. I love Jane Dieulafoy, the French dare¬devil all dressed up in men’s clothes, traveling thousands of miles by horseback with her husband Marcel. And then there is Agatha Christie. Who knew the world’s most famous mystery writer was an archaeologist as well. She spent over 30 years working in the field and would put aside her typewriter anytime an archaeological dis¬covery was made. And I do love that Christie believed her life only began at age 40, traveling alone on the Orient Express.

But then there is Gertrude Bell. Perhaps I do have a favorite. Bell was such an insatiable traveler, brilliant intellect, an all-round passionate and unstoppable spirit. I loved how she lived her life with such appetite and fearlessness – her contributions to archaeology were deep. In my mind, she really defined its rugged spirit and sense of adventure.

What was your favorite part about writing this book?

Just the pleasure of spending so much time with these seven women. These women were so strong, so brave, they continually reminded me of how much opportunity and crazy beauty there is in life and they never let anyone hold them down or break their dreams, ambitious and outrageous as they were. I’d say they were pretty amazing company to keep.