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.