Description
Autograph letters, drafts of letters, notes, and inventories written and received by the British archaeologist Sir Charles
Fellows. Fellows's letters include detailed descriptions of his archaeological expeditions to Lycia, and Xanthus in particular,
with references to the Harpy Tomb and the Nereid Monument which were acquired by the British Museum.
Background
Sir Charles Fellows (1799-1860) was an English explorer and archaeologist, best known for his expeditions in Asia Minor, especially
in the district of ancient Lycia, in present-day Türkiye (Turkey). His first journey to this area in 1838 led to the exploration
of ruins in the ancient town of Xanthus. The publication in 1839 of his journal of this expedition aroused great interest,
particularly at the British Museum, which requested that he bring artifacts back to England on subsequent voyages. The museum
helped arrange a royal decree or firman from the Sultan to enable Fellows to claim Lycian architectural remnants and sculptures.
The firman was obtained in 1842 while Fellows was on his third expedition to the area. At the end of that year he shipped
78 cases of architectural remains and sculptures from Xanthus to the British Museum. In 1844, he extracted an additional 27
cases of artifacts.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet
(ca. 276 items)
Restrictions
Contact Library Rights and Reproductions.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers.