Martyn Jope
Encyclopedia
Edward Martyn Jope
was an English archaeologist and chemist
. He worked temporarily during the Second World War as a biochemist
. Following the war, he returned to working in archaeology, first as a medievalist and later as a prehistorian.
, Oxford
. While studying for his first degree in chemistry, he worked intensively on the archaeology of the city of Oxford. Soon he joined the Archaeological Society of the University and became their secretary and president.
His first appointment was in 1938 by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
. Until the outbreak of World War II, he excavated the medieval settlement of Brere together with R. I. Threlfall, near the village of North Tawton on the River Taw
in Devon and created one of the first recorded plans of an English medieval farmhouse.
During World War II, he temporarily gave up the archaeology and received in 1940 a grant from the Nuffield Foundation
for the study of haemoglobins in human blood at the 'Royal London Hospital
' in Whitechapel
. Later, the Medical Research Council
supported his research on the application of spectroscopic methods and chemical-biological spectro-microscopy for biological studies, but later he moved back towards archaeology. In 1946, Jope was elected and appointed a Fellow of the London Society for Antiquarians.
In 1949, Jope received a call for a new post as a lecturer of Archaeology at Queen's University in Belfast at the suggestion of geography professor Estyn Evans. This lectureship has evolved into a department under Jope, first as a lecturer 1954-63 and then as professor from 1963 until his retirement in 1981.
Jope maintained a house in Oxford for his holidays and later retirement. He used this as the basis for his English field work, especially on the subject of medieval pottery in the southwest of England. From there, he has excavated Ascot d'Oilly Castle
, Deddington Castle
, the medieval pottery kilns at Brill
and some medieval sites in Oxford.
He devoted himself to various parts of the provincial archaeology publications on topics such as the Neolithic Axe trade, metalwork from the Iron Age
, the rath
s and earthworks
of the early Christian period, such as the fort of Dunglady, medieval castles and the houses of the plantations of the 18th Century.
The result was the publication of the magisterial archaeological survey of County
Down in 1966. This was the first systematic examination of the entire Archaeology of an Irish county.
In 1963 he became a Fellow of the British Academy
. Until the early 1960s he was one of the main actors in the development of the archaeology of the Middle Ages
either by the survey of buildings, by the study of ceramics or by being one of the first teams excavating a medieval city. His attention then turned to more research on the Iron Age, in particular the completion of a book on the art of this period in the British Isles. He published his preliminary studies on the subject, but unfortunately he did not survive the final release of the entire work.
The two-volume work, "Early Celtic Art
in the British Isles" was published posthumously and provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of the Celtic designs from the 4th Century BC to the beginnings of the British Romanization in the 1st Century AD. Jope showed the unique traces of the origins of art on the islands of Great Britain by a variety of art objects, especially swords, scabbards and brooches, and examined the development of the decoration of ceremonial armour and shields. The use of gold in the 3rd Century BC and images of humans, animals and plants are also discussed and compared in the whole work amongst each other and with Celtic artefacts. Weapons, armour, vessels, mirrors, jewellery and horse equipment illustrate the sophistication of Celtic designs. A large part of the study to take a single Celtic design elements, such as the use of S-shapes and spirals, the principles of design and metal working techniques and tools.
He led the campaign of the British Academy for a separate state funds for archaeological research since 1976 and served in its first science-based Archaeology Committee. The creation of the Department of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford
goes back to his inspiration. He was a visiting professor there 1974-81 and was an honorary visiting professor from 1982 to 96. Jope’s enormous contribution to medieval and modern Irish Archaeology earned him membership of the Royal Irish Academy
in 1973. He was a member of the Royal Commission for Antiquities in Wales 1963-86 and the Royal Commission for Antiquities in England from 1980 to 84.
Jope used his archaeological and scientific knowledge to inspire the creation of the Institute of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford, and as co-director of the palaeoecological
Centre at Queen's University in Belfast, to motivate his staff in their work on dendrochronology
and studies to guide the radiocarbon dating
.
Martyn Jope married Margaret Halliday
in 1941. They were closely linked together and shared all aspects of life, from biology to music. His wife was a biochemist and an archaeologist and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
. They were regular visitors at Burlington House
together, both during the semester break of Queen's University and after retirement.
was an English archaeologist and chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
. He worked temporarily during the Second World War as a biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
. Following the war, he returned to working in archaeology, first as a medievalist and later as a prehistorian.
Life and Career
Martyn Jope studied at Oriel CollegeOriel College
Oriel College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. Located in Oriel Square, the college has the distinction of being the oldest royal foundation in Oxford...
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. While studying for his first degree in chemistry, he worked intensively on the archaeology of the city of Oxford. Soon he joined the Archaeological Society of the University and became their secretary and president.
His first appointment was in 1938 by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is a Welsh Government sponsored body based in Aberystwyth, Wales. It was founded in August 1908...
. Until the outbreak of World War II, he excavated the medieval settlement of Brere together with R. I. Threlfall, near the village of North Tawton on the River Taw
Taw
Taw may refer to:* Taw , the twenty-second letter in many Semitic alphabets* Taw , the collection of all cardinal numbers* the shooter marble in a game of marbles* The River Taw in Devon, England* a method to produce white leather...
in Devon and created one of the first recorded plans of an English medieval farmhouse.
Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation is a British charitable trust, established in 1943 by William Morris , the founder of the Morris Motor Company. Lord Nuffield wanted to contribute to improvements in society, including the expansion of education and the alleviation of disadvantage...
for the study of haemoglobins in human blood at the 'Royal London Hospital
Royal London Hospital
The Royal London Hospital was founded in September 1740 and was originally named The London Infirmary. The name changed to The London Hospital in 1748 and then to The Royal London Hospital on its 250th anniversary in 1990. The first patients were treated at a house in Featherstone Street,...
' in Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
. Later, the Medical Research Council
Medical Research Council (UK)
The Medical Research Council is a publicly-funded agency responsible for co-ordinating and funding medical research in the United Kingdom. It is one of seven Research Councils in the UK and is answerable to, although politically independent from, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
supported his research on the application of spectroscopic methods and chemical-biological spectro-microscopy for biological studies, but later he moved back towards archaeology. In 1946, Jope was elected and appointed a Fellow of the London Society for Antiquarians.
In 1949, Jope received a call for a new post as a lecturer of Archaeology at Queen's University in Belfast at the suggestion of geography professor Estyn Evans. This lectureship has evolved into a department under Jope, first as a lecturer 1954-63 and then as professor from 1963 until his retirement in 1981.
Jope maintained a house in Oxford for his holidays and later retirement. He used this as the basis for his English field work, especially on the subject of medieval pottery in the southwest of England. From there, he has excavated Ascot d'Oilly Castle
Ascot d'Oilly Castle
Ascot d'Oilly Castle is situated north of the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire. It is a scheduled ancient monument. A fragment of the castle remains and is a Grade II listed building...
, Deddington Castle
Deddington Castle
Deddington Castle was in the large village of Deddington 6 miles south of Banbury, Oxfordshire .It was built on a Saxon site as a motte and bailey castle in the 11th century by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, the half brother of William the Conqueror...
, the medieval pottery kilns at Brill
Brill
Brill is a village and civil parish in Aylesbury Vale district in Buckinghamshire, England, close to the boundary with Oxfordshire. It is about north-west of Long Crendon and south-east of Bicester...
and some medieval sites in Oxford.
He devoted himself to various parts of the provincial archaeology publications on topics such as the Neolithic Axe trade, metalwork from the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, the rath
Rath
-Things:*Rath, as an alternative spelling of Rat, a German advisory or ruling council, see, e.g., Parlamentarischer Rat*Ráth, Irish ringfort, fortified earthen works* Rath, a plane in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game...
s and earthworks
Earthworks (archaeology)
In archaeology, earthwork is a general term to describe artificial changes in land level. Earthworks are often known colloquially as 'lumps and bumps'. Earthworks can themselves be archaeological features or they can show features beneath the surface...
of the early Christian period, such as the fort of Dunglady, medieval castles and the houses of the plantations of the 18th Century.
The result was the publication of the magisterial archaeological survey of County
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
Down in 1966. This was the first systematic examination of the entire Archaeology of an Irish county.
In 1963 he became a Fellow of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
. Until the early 1960s he was one of the main actors in the development of the archaeology of the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
either by the survey of buildings, by the study of ceramics or by being one of the first teams excavating a medieval city. His attention then turned to more research on the Iron Age, in particular the completion of a book on the art of this period in the British Isles. He published his preliminary studies on the subject, but unfortunately he did not survive the final release of the entire work.
The two-volume work, "Early Celtic Art
Celtic art
Celtic art is the art associated with the peoples known as Celts; those who spoke the Celtic languages in Europe from pre-history through to the modern period, as well as the art of ancient peoples whose language is uncertain, but have cultural and stylistic similarities with speakers of Celtic...
in the British Isles" was published posthumously and provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of the Celtic designs from the 4th Century BC to the beginnings of the British Romanization in the 1st Century AD. Jope showed the unique traces of the origins of art on the islands of Great Britain by a variety of art objects, especially swords, scabbards and brooches, and examined the development of the decoration of ceremonial armour and shields. The use of gold in the 3rd Century BC and images of humans, animals and plants are also discussed and compared in the whole work amongst each other and with Celtic artefacts. Weapons, armour, vessels, mirrors, jewellery and horse equipment illustrate the sophistication of Celtic designs. A large part of the study to take a single Celtic design elements, such as the use of S-shapes and spirals, the principles of design and metal working techniques and tools.
He led the campaign of the British Academy for a separate state funds for archaeological research since 1976 and served in its first science-based Archaeology Committee. The creation of the Department of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford is a British university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The University received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it the 40th University to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the early 1800s...
goes back to his inspiration. He was a visiting professor there 1974-81 and was an honorary visiting professor from 1982 to 96. Jope’s enormous contribution to medieval and modern Irish Archaeology earned him membership of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
in 1973. He was a member of the Royal Commission for Antiquities in Wales 1963-86 and the Royal Commission for Antiquities in England from 1980 to 84.
Paleoecology
Paleoecology uses data from fossils and subfossils to reconstruct the ecosystems of the past. It involves the study of fossil organisms and their associated remains, including their life cycle, living interactions, natural environment, and manner of death and burial to reconstruct the...
Centre at Queen's University in Belfast, to motivate his staff in their work on dendrochronology
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
and studies to guide the radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating is a radiometric dating method that uses the naturally occurring radioisotope carbon-14 to estimate the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years. Raw, i.e. uncalibrated, radiocarbon ages are usually reported in radiocarbon years "Before Present" ,...
.
Work Ethos
His work always began with close observation of the individual sites or artefacts. He asked that any statement should be based on facts, regardless of whether this was a publication, a student work or the widespread beliefs. He expressed the conviction that the social and economic reasons why people have an artefact or a building or used, are an important part of the study.Family
Margaret Jope
Margaret Jope was a Scottish biochemist, born as Henrietta Margaret Halliday in Peterhead, Scotland.She took her degree in chemistry at Aberdeen University, and her D.Phil. at Somerville College, Oxford. She met her future husband Martyn Jope while working at the Dyson Perrins Laboratory at Oxford...
in 1941. They were closely linked together and shared all aspects of life, from biology to music. His wife was a biochemist and an archaeologist and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
. They were regular visitors at Burlington House
Burlington House
Burlington House is a building on Piccadilly in London. It was originally a private Palladian mansion, and was expanded in the mid 19th century after being purchased by the British government...
together, both during the semester break of Queen's University and after retirement.
Published works
- E. M. Jope and G. Huse: Blue Pigment of Roman date from Woodeaton, Oxoniensia, Vol V, Page 167, 1940.
- R. L. S. Bruce Mitford and E. M. Jope: [Eleventh- and Twelfth- Century Pottery from the Oxford Region http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1940/brucemitford2.pdf], Oxoniensia, Vol V, Page 42, 1940.
- Further publications in Oxoniensia
- E. M. Jope and R. I. Threlfall, Excavation of a medieval settlement at Beere, North Tawton, Devon, Med. Archaeol., 11 (1958), Pages 121-122.
- E. M. Jope: Ancient monuments of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Ministry, Nr. 2, 1969.
- J.Z. Young, Royal Society (Great Britain), British Academy, E. M. Jope and Kenneth Page Oakley: The Emergence of Man: A Joint Symposium of the Royal Society and the British Academy. January 1981, ISBN 0854031529
- E. M. Jope, D. Ellis Evans, John G. Griffith: Proceedings of the Seventh International Congress of Celtic Studies Held at Oxford.From 10th to 15th July 1983, Januar 1986, ISBN 0951126903
- E. M. Jope and H. M. JopeMargaret JopeMargaret Jope was a Scottish biochemist, born as Henrietta Margaret Halliday in Peterhead, Scotland.She took her degree in chemistry at Aberdeen University, and her D.Phil. at Somerville College, Oxford. She met her future husband Martyn Jope while working at the Dyson Perrins Laboratory at Oxford...
: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VDG-48C7BCD-5F&_user=10&_coverDate=06%2F30%2F1989&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1501501910&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=f6ce4f8937e4ba25065e4d50aad5e304&searchtype=aNote on collagen molecular preservation in an 11 ka old Megaceros (Giant Deer) antler: solubilization in a non-aqueous medium (anhydrous formic acid).] Applied Geochemistry, Band 4, Heft 3, Mai-Juni 1989, Seiten 301-302, First International Workshop on Fossil Bone. - E. M. Jope: Bersu's Goldberg IV: A Petty Chief's Establishment of the 6th–5th Centuries, B.C.Oxford Journal of Archaeology, (1997), 16: 227–241. doi: 10.1111/1468-0092.00037
- E. M. Jope: Early Celtic Art in the British Isles., Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-19-817318-2