A honeymoon at war, a permit to wear trousers, and an excavation mascot with a deeply unsuitable after-dinner habit.
This week, Louise introduces Nat to Jane Dieulafoy: soldier, photographer, writer and archaeologist whose adventures took her from a French convent to the ancient Persian palaces of Susa.
There are burning ships, extraordinary discoveries and a confrontation worthy of an action film. But there’s also looting, breathtaking hypocrisy and a hammer being used for absolutely the wrong reasons.
Plus: meet Barry, the lamb who joined the excavation and immediately acquired a management position.
Dirt Bags is the comedy podcast about archaeology’s biggest characters, questionable decisions and spectacular messes.
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Contains discussion of racism, colonialism and looting.
SUGGESTED READING
Jane Dieulafoy, La Perse, la Chaldée et la Susiane (1887).
Jane’s account of the 1881–82 journey, including her photographs, meeting with the Shah and sharply observed travel anecdotes. In French, free to read:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62108
Jane Dieulafoy, À Suse: Journal des fouilles, 1884–1886 (1888).
The excavation diary behind many of this episode’s stories, including the bull, the removal of finds and, most importantly, Barrè bachy, “Lamb in Chief”. In French, free to read:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/70821
Rachel Mesch, Before Trans: Three Gender Stories from Nineteenth-Century France (2020).
An exploration of Jane’s gender expression, writing and life alongside two other figures who challenged the conventions of their time.
https://rachelmesch.com/before-trans-three-gender-stories-from-nineteenth-century-france-books/
Eve Gran-Aymerich, “Jane Dieulafoy (1851–1916)”, in Breaking Ground: Pioneering Women Archaeologists, edited by Getzel M. Cohen and Martha Sharp Joukowsky (2004).
A detailed account of Jane’s life, archaeological work and partnership with Marcel.
Bibliothèque nationale de France, “Jane Dieulafoy (1851–1916)”.
A shorter introduction to her travels, photography, publications and excavations:
https://heritage.bnf.fr/bibliothequesorient/en/jane-dieulafoy-1851-1916
A note on sources: Jane’s travel accounts contain racist and colonial attitudes. We discuss those critically in the episode; her accounts of dramatic events are her own versions of what happened.
