The Shock of the Old: Victorians and Edwardians in search of the past

Welcome to The Shock of the Old: Victorians and Edwardians in search of the past at the Ashmolean Museum from the 15th to the 22nd of November. This digital display of some of HEIR’s lantern slide and glass plate negatives is part of Being Human: a Festival of the Humanities (http://beinghumanfestival.org/).

About

Image Catalogue

LiveFriday Catalogue

Thanks to…

About

How do we view the past? Technological advances in photography and travel allowed Victorian and Edwardian scholars to record their excavations and travels in search of the past, whether locally to Oxfordshire sites just a bicycle ride away, or more adventurous travels by rail, donkey and boat to remote Greek sites. Significant parts of the Ashmolean Museum’s archaeological collections were amassed by these travellers.

The lantern slide images of these excursions were brought together in the Ashmolean’s lantern slide teaching collection, to help teach archaeology at a time when the study of the material culture of the past was in its infancy. Over time, lantern slides became obsolete, and these images have spent the last few decades hidden away and unseen.

The HEIR project at the Institute of Archaeology has dusted these images off and digitized them for display for the first time. Today, these late Victorian and Edwardian images carry a new message to the modern viewer. The original photographers – men and women – were directing their gaze through the camera lens at specific sites and monuments – but what does the modern viewer see? Looking at the past through the lens of the past, we are inspired to imagine what it was to be human then and now, to reflect on how humans discover and display the past, and to think about the human meaning of change.

The full HEIR database will be going on-line in the spring. In the meantime, we would love to have your feedback – which are your favourite photographs? Were there any surprises? Have any of the landscapes changed? Please leave your comments in the box below, or send us a tweet…

Image Catalogue

Oxford
England & Scotland & Isle of Man
France & Spain
Italy & Sardinia
Greece
Around the Mediterranean

Oxford
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Oxford, Fancy Dress – Miss Morris Claude. Photographer: John Nowell Myres. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33957_6262.

Oxford, Taylorian Institution. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43967_AHistc2d6img497c.

Oxford, The Queen’s College. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43978_AHistc2d5img508c.

Oxford, Ashmolean Museum 1951. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43983_AHistc2d5img513c.

England & Scotland & Isle of Man
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England, Oxfordshire, Stanton Harcourt ‘Devil’s Quoits’, July 30 to August 1 1895. Source: Underhill Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42679_Instarchbx143im009.

Oxfordshire, Stanton Harcourt ‘Devil’s Quoits’. Source: H.M.J. Underhill Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42665_Instarchbx143im006.

England, Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Source: H.M.J. Underhill Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33752_10_2500.

England, Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire, viewed from the harbour. Photographer: Wylie. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR35686_Wyliebx6im099.

England, Wiltshire – panoramic view of Silbury Hill. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36375_Passmorebx2im019.

England, Merseyside, Liverpool, one of the Calder Stones. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36429_Passmorebx3im027.

England, Portal dolmen and woman 1891. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36450_Passmorebx3im012a.

England, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, packing the herrings. Photographer: Graystone Bird. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36537_Passmorebx9im004.

England, Roman hypocaust at Cilurnum, Chesters, Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR37664_instarchbx10im016.

England, Doorway villa Cilurnum, Chesters, Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR37669_instarchbx10im021.

Isle of Man, children on the beach, probably at Peel. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR37924_InstArchbx22im039.

England, Oxfordshire, Mongewell ditch and bank. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR41997_InstArchbx111im006.

England, Ravenscar, North Yorkshire, view from North. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42017_InstArchbx112im017.

England, Hadrian’s Wall pilgrimage 1930. Photographer: R.G. Collingwood. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34635_img 582.

England, Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42751_Instarchbx145im007.

England, Avebury, Wiltshire. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42757_Instarchbx145im013.

England, Oxfordshire, Abingdon. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR42866_AHistc1d3img089c.

England, Brighton Town Hall. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR42911_AHistc1d4img111c.

England, Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR43108_InstArchbx154im007.

England, Oxfordshire, Excavations of graves at Wheatley. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR43162_Instarchbx157im007.

England, Clock Tower, St. Albans. Photographer: George Washington Wilson. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43953_AHistc2d7img483c.

England, London, Euston Station entrance arch. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR44180_AHistc2d2img568c.

England, London, Tower Bridge. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR44199_AHistc2d1img587c.

England, Exeter Guildhall, Devon. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR44458_AHistc1d6img633c.

England, Colchester, Essex, Abbey Church ruins. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR44596_AHistc1d5img654c.

England, The tower of London. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR44828_HMCbx11im004.

Scotland, Isle of Arran – Machrie Moor standing stones. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR24537_XYd Scotland Bute I. of Arran.

Scotland, Kelso Abbey. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR44216_AHistc1d8img595c.

France & Spain
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France, le Puy, St Michel d’Aiguilhe Chapel interior with graffiti. Photographer: Wylie. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR35225_Wyliebx2im005.

France, Les Baux de Provence village. Source: Photographer: Wylie. Institute of Archaeology. HEIR35251_Wyliebx2im031.

France, half-timbered buildings, location unknown. Source: Photographer: Wylie. Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36355_Wyliebx13im016.

France: ‘Locmariaquer Le Grand Dolmen’ interior, Carnac, Brittany. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36467_Passmorebx4im014.

France, group of men, possibly at Bayeux Rail Station. Photographer: Wylie. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36762_Wyliebx10im021.

France, ‘No 181 Dinan Street Scene’, location unknown. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR40539_InstArchbx74im006.

France, Paris, ‘The Palace of the Tuileries after the fire’. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR42138_HMCbx3im008.

France, Versaille, ‘Paris-Versailles Palace, the entrance’. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR42140_HMCbx3im010.

France, Mont Saint-Michel. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43610_AHistc3d5img334c.

Spain, Castile & León: ‘Segovia. Aqueduct and melon-man’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR40200_InstArchbx68im005.

Spain, Castile & León, ‘Segovia. Aqueduct and shop stall. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR40201_InstArchbx68im006.

Italy & Sardinia
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Italy, Bari, boys on the sea front. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34467_6234.

Italy, Rome, Temple of Vesta. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34613_IMG_0310-pp.JPG

Italy, Rome, Arch of Titus in the Forum. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34614_IMG_0311.

Italy, Rome. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36715_Passmorebx9im046.

Italy, Carrara, ‘Carrara Saw Mill and Bullock Team’. Wrench & Son 1893. Source: Passmore Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36734_Passmorebx9im066.

Italy, Naples, Torre Annunziata. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR37582_INSTARCHbx7im007.

Italy, Campania, Temple of Neptune at Paestum. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR38034_INSTARCHbx25im013.

Italy, Paestum, Temple of Ceres. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR39618_InstArchbx56im029.

Italy, Rome ‘Hall of the busts, Vatican’. Noakes and Son. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR41384_HMCbx3im046.

Italy, Rome, ‘Interior of the Colosseum’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42038_InstArchbx114im010.

Italy, Rome, ‘Temple of Castor and Pollux’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42064_InstArchbx115im001.

Italy, Rome, ‘Temple of Faustina from Palatine Hill’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42067_InstArchbx115im004.

Italy, Rome, ‘Arch of Titus’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42076_InstArchbx115im013.

Italy, Rome, ‘Colisseum’. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR42132_HMCbx3im002.

Italy, Rome, ‘Temple of Minerva Medica, so-called’. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43246_AHistc4d3img191c.

Italy, ‘Grand Cloister and Church, Certosa (di Pavia)’. G.W.W. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43260_AHistc4d2img209c.

Italy, Rome, Pantheon. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43271_AHistc4d2img220c.

Italy, The Loggia, Florence. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43377_AHistc4d1img235c.

Italy, Rome. ‘Pyramid of Caius Cestius with the Porta (Gate) of S. Paolo (25 BC)’ Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43550_AHistc4d3img307c.

Italy, Rome, ‘the Torre [Tower] de Conti. 12th c.’. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43556_AHistc4d3img313c.

Italy, Rome ‘Arch of Septimius Severus, with the new excavations and the ‘Lapis Niger’’ Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43560_AHistc4d3img317c.

Italy, Pompeii. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44341_Instarchbx208im015.

Italy, Pompeii, ‘Street of Abundance, Eumachia’ Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44345_Instarchbx208im019.

Italy, Pompeii, ‘Basilica interior’. York & Son. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44365_Instarchbx208im039.

Italy, ‘Calidarium Thermæ, Pompeii’. Photographer: George Washington Wilson. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44407_Instarchbx208im081.

Italy, Pompeii, Gladiators’ court pillars. York & Son, England. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44444_Instarchbx208im119.

Italy, ‘Pompeii: House of Pansa’ Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44489_instarchbx202im007.

Italy, Pompeii ‘House of Tiburtinus & garden’. Alinari. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44525_instarchbx202im032.

Italy, ‘Pompeii: The house of the silver wedding’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR44534_Instarchbx202im056.

Italy, Sardinia, ‘Perde Filla S. Michele near Fonai (?)’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36486_Passmorebx4im033.

Greece
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Greece, Epidauros amphitheatre. Photographer: Stebbing. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33545_trrs091.

Greece, Nauplia waterfront. Photographer: Stebbing. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33572_trrs155.

Greece, Athens – Temple of Zeus and Acropolis. Photographer: Stebbing. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33647_trrs225.

Greece, Athens – Theatre of Dionysus, south slope of the Acropolis. Photographer: Stebbing. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33655_trrs233.

Greece, ‘Crete: Mt Juktas, so-called ‘Tomb of Zeus’ on summit’. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33818_2245.

Greece, ‘Skironian rocks nearer: taken from the train’. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34106_102.

Greece, Aegina. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34117_115.

Greece, ‘Epidaurus: Theatre, C. Robert, various Germans 1905’. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34525_2459.

Greece, ‘Attica: Sunion: Temple inside looking NE 1905’. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34558_2493.

Greece, ‘Sophia Myres at Pompeii’. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34586_6241.

Greece, Athens, ‘South Peristyle of Parthenon from East’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36902_INSTARCHbx2im010.

Greece, ‘Summit of Acropolis, Athens, Parthenon’. Photographer: George Washington Wilson. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR38893_InstArchbx39im004.

Greece, ‘Eleusis: Substructure’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR39086_InstArchbx46im006.

Greece, ‘Athens from Mars Hill’. Photographer: George Washington Wilson. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR39183_InstArchbx49im001.

Greece, Athens, ‘Arch of Hadrian’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR39206_InstArchbx49im024.

Greece, ‘Lycosura: group sitting among ruins’. Holliday. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR39252_InstArchbx51im017.

Greece, ‘Olympia: man next to column capital’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR39458_InstArchbx55im022.

Greece, Athens, Parthenon. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR40169_InstArchbx67im008-scr.jpg

Greece, ‘Athens Old Greek Church’. Fradelle and Young. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42094_HMCbx2im001.

Greece, ‘Marathon: The Soros’. Fradelle & Young. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR42098_HMCbx2im005.

Greece, ‘Crete: Knossos: ‘TRANSPORT OF LARGE JARS’’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42391_InstArchbx125im029.

Greece, ‘KNOSSOS, Types of Masonry’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42591_instarchbx135im042.

Greece, Argolis: Mycenae. Hellenic Society? Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42883_InstArchbx148im012.

Around the Mediterranean
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Malta, ‘Mnaidra: fallen table-stone’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR34512_2437.

Cyprus, Lampousa. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42203_instarchbx113im013.

Crete, ‘Turabi pottery Tomb 36’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33922_2298.

Cyprus, Paphos. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42200_instarchbx113im024.

Cyprus, Amathus ” ACROPOLIS”. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42202_instarchbx113im005.

Egypt, Colossi at Thebes. A.W. Searley. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR38099_INSTARCHbx28im010.

Egypt, Statues of Memnon. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR42273_instarchbx120im021.

Egypt, ‘Cairo, Mosque Moho’. Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR42775_AHistc3d2img049c.

Egypt, The Sphinx. Cairo. From “History of Architecture” by Professor Banister Fletcher & Mr. Banister Fletcher. Newton & Co. Ltd Source: Department of the History of Art. HEIR43694_AHistc3d2img419c.

Egypt, ‘Great Pyramid showing size of step’. Newton & Co. Source: Harris Manchester College. HEIR44821_HMCbx11im001.

Libya, ‘Tripoli: Leptis Magna: Great apse SE of Forum from the west’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33900_JLM 353.

Libya, ‘Tripoli: Leptis Magna: Forum south gate from the NE’. Source: Myres Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR33901_JLM 354.

Iran, ‘Persepolis. Propylaea of Xerxes’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR37880_INSTARCHbx20im002.

Iran, ‘Persepolis Gate of Xerxes’. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR38950_InstArchbx42im003.

Syria, ‘group at camp March 1923’. Source: Alexander Kennedy Collection, Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36268_Kennedybx1im095.

Jordan, Trans-Jordan: Petra – view of El Deir Temple. Philip. Source: Institute of Archaeology. HEIR36335_Kennedybx1im101.

LiveFriday Catalogue

‘Snow and Camels‘

These images will be on display during the LiveFriday evening on the 21st November.
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Snow 

1. England, Oxford: “The Thames Frozen at Oxford Jan 1891”. Source: Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx1im044

2. England: “Snow, frost & fog – awarded silver medal”. Photographer, Graystone Bird, Bath. Source: Institute of Archaeology, Oxford: Passmore collection: InstArch Passmorebx9im001

3. England: “61. The Old Weir – Winter. 2 silver medals”. Photographer, Graystone Bird, Bath. Source: Institute of Archaeology, Oxford: Passmore collection: InstArch Passmorebx9im002

4. England, Hadrian’s Wall: “On Limestone Bank in snow, lines of Vallum and Murus, 40, 59”. Source: Institute of Archaeology, Oxford: Instarchbx10im20

5. England, Cumbria: “DRUIDS’ CIRCLE, KESWICK” “CUMBERLAND” “The Druids [sic] Circle and Saddleback” “XY. 101”. Photographer: G. P. Abraham. Source: Institute of Archaeology, Oxford: Instarchbx143im001

6. England: Cheshire: Willaston School, Nantwich. Source: Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx15im007

7. Switzerland: “Crossing the RHONE GLACIER”. Source: Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx10im008

8. Norway. Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Geography lantern slides: GEOGbx1im081

9. Switzerland, Sihlwald: “B43” “Effect of late snowfall in Sihlwald, Switzerland, May 23, 1908. Ash, sycamore and beech in full leaf broken down, spruce unaffected”. Photographer: E. A. Smythies. Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbox4im040

10. Switzerland, Sihlwald: “B46” “Ash bent by snow, Sihlwald, Switzerland. Note effect spruce behind. Late snowfall May 24, 1908”. Photographer: E. A. Smythies. Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbox4im042

11. (no associated information) Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbox49im019 (no associated information)

12. (no associated information) Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbox49im25

13. (no associated information) Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbox49im32

14. (no associated information) Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbox50im17

15. Canada, winter logging. Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbx32im013

16. (No associated information) Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbx51im32

17. United States, New York: “Below American Falls” “American Lecture 37”. Source, Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx3im059

18. United States, New York: “View in winter from the Hog’s back, American Fall” “Niagara Lecture 36”. Source: Harris Manchester College: HMCbx3im060

19. United States, New York: “Sunshine on Luna Bridge after a snow storm: “American Lecture 1”. Source: Harris Manchester College: HMCbx3im061

20. Canada (no further details yet). Source: Radcliffe Science Library, Plant Sciences lantern slides: PSLbx32im014

Camels

21. “HOLY LAND.” “30. Camels on the March.” Source: Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx10im036

22. Turkey: Smyrna waterfront. Photographer, T. R. R. Stebbing. Source: The Institute of Archaeology, Oxford.

23. Turkey. “Camel Caravan for Troy” “19” “Fradelle and Young, 283, Regent Street. W”. Source: Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx2im015

24. Tunisia: “EL DJEM Amphitheatre” “EL DJEM. General view”. Source: the Institute of Archaeology, Oxford: Instarchbx207im009

25. Egypt. “Thebes, Egypt” “Colossi at Thebes. A. W. Searley.” Photographer: A. W. Searley” “26736”. Source: Institute of Archaeology, Oxford: INSTARCHbx28im01

26. “HOLY LAND. – Supp. No. 3.” “19. The Well of Cana at Galilee.” Source: Harris Manchester College, Oxford: HMCbx10im034

Thanks to…
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At the Institute of Archaeology: Pat Day, Pam England, Ellen Higgs, Janice Kinory, Roelie Reed, Jeremy Worth and all in the sub-basement for their support and enthusiasm. At the Department for the History of Art: Victoria Brown, Dina Akhmadeeva, Clare Charlesworth and Dan Udy. At Harris Manchester College: Sue Killoran and her wonderful NADFAS helpers. At the Radcliffe Science Library: Sue Bird and the library staff.