Eleanor Jane Taylor Calverley

Eleanor Jane Taylor Calverley (1896–1966) was an American archaeologist, physician, and author. She is best known for her work in the field of Middle Eastern archaeology, particularly in Syria and Jordan.

Early Life and Education

Eleanor Jane Taylor was born in 1896 in New York City. She attended Barnard College, where she received her Bachelor's degree in 1918. She then went on to earn her medical degree from Columbia University in 1922.

Career

After completing her medical studies, Calverley worked as a physician in New York City. However, her interest in archaeology led her to pursue a career in this field. She joined the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) and participated in several archaeological expeditions in the Middle East.

In 1929, Calverley joined the archaeological team at the site of Umm el-Jimal, in modern-day Jordan. Here, she made significant contributions to the understanding of the site's Byzantine and Umayyad periods.

In addition to her archaeological work, Calverley was also a prolific author. She wrote several books and articles on Middle Eastern archaeology, including The Temple of the Kings at Abydos and The Temple of Sethos I at Abydos.

Personal Life

In 1932, Eleanor Jane Taylor married fellow archaeologist R. W. Hamilton. The couple had two children. After Hamilton's death in 1953, Calverley continued her archaeological work until her own death in 1966.

Legacy

Eleanor Jane Taylor Calverley's contributions to Middle Eastern archaeology have had a lasting impact on the field. Her work at Umm el-Jimal, in particular, has provided valuable insights into the Byzantine and Umayyad periods of the site.