Overview
The papers of Lauriston Ward contain correspondence, bibliographies, reports, publications and budgets and attest to the breadth of Ward's involvement with various organizations in archaeology and anthropology. Main interests focused on establishing the major outlines in prehistoric Asiatic archaeology.
Dates
- Creation: 1936-1960
Conditions Governing Access
Some restricted items such as letters of recommendation. Also some items are very fragile. See Archivist.
Extent
1.25 linear feetThe Papers of Lauriston Ward are filled with correspondence with numerous people in various organizations in archaeology and anthropology. Noteworthy is the large amount of correspondence with women scholars and publications from two Harvard undergraduate clubs (The Excavator's Club and The Anthropology Society.) The papers reflect Ward's passion for bringing together people interested in the archaeology of Asia. In a letter dated June 30, 1951, he states: "... There is at present no organization and no periodical which serves their needs....Because of this split-up into separate groups, hardly any serious work has been done on problems that involve more than one major area in Asia. To the best of my knowledge Harvard is the only university where the archaeology of Asia as a whole is taught. For many years I regularly gave an introductory course in the archaeology of Asia and two graduate courses, one on the archaeology of the Near East and one on that of the Far East." (From a letter in the American Association for the Advancement of Science Meeting, 1951 file in Box 1.) His papers clearly reflect his commitment to bridging gaps between people, disciplines and organizations.
Biographical Sketch:
Lauriston Ward received his BA from Harvard College in 1903 and his AM from Harvard University in 1934. Ward was Curator of Asiatic Archaeology at Harvard from 1937-1960 and served as President and Founder of the Council for World Archaeology from 1953-1960 and Chairman of the American School of Prehistoric Research from 1954-1960.
Ward was very involved in archaeology, not as a dirt archaeologist per se, but as a creative organizing force. His main interests focused on establishing the major outlines in prehistoric Asiatic archaeology and linking the archaeology of several sub-areas of Asia.
Physical Location
Peabody Museum Archives
Immediate Source of Acquisition
977-62
These papers were transferred to the Peabody Museum Archives by Carl C. Lamberg-Karlovsky
1977.
General note
Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share.
Processed by:
Heidi J. Miller, October 1994; edited by Patricia Kervick, Associate Archivist, October 2007.
Correspondents
- Eliot, Henry : 3.2
- Ehrich, Robert : 3.2
- Ewing, J. : 3.2
- Fairservis, Walter : 3.2
- Fejos, Paul : 3.2
- Field, Henry : 3.2
- Finley, John H., Jr. : 3.2
- Frankfort, Henri : 3.2
- Franklin, S. J. : 3.2
- Frye, Richard N. : 3.2
- Gallagher, E. B. : 3.2
- Gaul, James L. : 3.2
- Gebhard, Paul : 3.2
- Giddings, Louis : 3.2
- Gluck, Nelson : 3.2
- Handy, E.S.C. : 3.2
- Harp, Elmer : 3.2
- Heine-Geldern, Robert : 3.2
- Hibben, Frank C. : 3.2
- Howard, Edgar B. : 3.2
- Janse, O : 3.2
- Johnson, Frederick : 3.2
- Rainey, Froelich G. : 1.15
- Ward, Lauriston : 1.15, 3.2
- Title
- Ward, Lauriston. Lauriston Ward, 1882-1960 Papers, 1936-1960 inclusive: A Finding Aid
- Author
- Peabody Museum Archives
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- pea00023
Repository Details
Part of the Peabody Museum Archives Repository
Papers in the Peabody Museum Archives consist of primary source materials that document the Museum’s archaeological and ethnographic research and fieldwork since its founding in 1866. More than 2,800 feet of archival paper collections contain documents, papers, manuscripts, correspondence, data, field notes, maps, plans, and other historical records that represent diverse peoples from around the world, and which were created or collected by the Museum, its individual affiliates, or related entities. The collections also document the history or provenience, as well as the creation of, many of the Museum’s archaeological and ethnographic collections.