Celebrated Archaeologist Barbara Hurman Passes at 100

Barbara Hurman, a distinguished archaeologist and a significant figure in the field of archaeological illustration, passed away at the age of 100. Her contributions spanned decades, with notable work at institutions such as the Buckinghamshire County Museum and the Museum of London. Hurman was renowned for her expertise in identifying and illustrating archaeological finds, a passion that she pursued vigorously after raising her family.

Early Life and Military Service

Born a twin on January 3, 1923, in Thornton Heath, south London, Barbara was the daughter of Charles Sanders, an engineering clerk, and Jeanie Sanders, a housewife. The family later moved to the coastal village of Silecroft in Cumbria. After completing her education at Millom School, she attended secretarial college before enlisting in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during World War II. Barbara served as a teleprinter operator and was stationed at Fort Widley in Portsmouth during the D-Day operations. She continued her military service in Italy and was demobilized in 1947 with the rank of sergeant.

Following the war, Barbara worked in Egypt as a secretary for the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, where she met her husband, Gordon Hurman. They married in 1950 at the British Consulate in Suez, and it was in Egypt that Barbara developed her fascination with archaeology.

A Passion for Archaeology

Upon returning to the UK in 1970, the family settled in Buckinghamshire, where Gordon took a position with the Aylesbury Brewery Company. After raising her children, Barbara began volunteering on archaeological excavations, igniting a fervent passion for the field. Her academic pursuits included intensive studies at the Universities of London, Oxford, and Keele.

Barbara’s career in archaeology flourished as she became involved with the Bucks Archaeological Society and the local County Museum. She played a pivotal role in organizing digs, managing volunteers, and conducting classes. Notably, in her late 70s, she served as the finds supervisor and ceramic analyst on a major excavation at the Roman site in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, under the auspices of Nottingham University.

In addition to her fieldwork, Barbara was a technical paper editor for the Association of Archaeological Illustrators and Surveyors, a group she helped establish, and she contributed to the Medieval Later Pottery Research Group’s Guide to the Classification of Medieval Ceramic Forms. Her literary contributions included co-authoring the book Pots, Potters and Potteries of Buckinghamshire with Michael Farley in 2019.

Legacy and Recognition

In her later years, Barbara became an advocate for recognizing the contributions of servicewomen in World War II. Her efforts led to interviews with various news outlets and a poignant reading at Westminster Abbey in 2015, commemorating the 70th anniversary of VE Day. She even met Queen Elizabeth II while promoting the Together at Christmas initiative. At the age of 99, she attended a Buckingham Palace reception honoring the 80th anniversary of VE Day as one of a select group of veterans.

Barbara Hurman is remembered not only for her significant contributions to archaeology but also for her dedication to education and advocacy. She is survived by her three children, David, Susan, and a third child, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations in both archaeology and the recognition of women’s roles in history.