William (Bill) Culican
Encyclopedia
William Culican was an Australian archaeologist
and lecturer
in `Biblical Archaeology’ and `Pre-Classical Antiquity’ at the University of Melbourne
.
Born at New Barn Farm, Great Harwood, Lancashire, he read classics and archaeology at Edinburgh University after a period in the Army, then won a scholarship to Queen’s College, Oxford. His studies centered on Egyptian, Mediterranean and middle eastern subjects, and he learned Sumerian and Akkadian. He came to Australia and obtained a position as lecturer in Semitic studies at the University of Melbourne in 1960, senior lecturer in 1964, transferred to the department of history in 1966, and became reader in 1972. He was a foundation member of the Humanities Research Council (1966) and the Australian Academy of the Humanities (1969). In 1965 he founded the Archaeological Society of Victoria which evolved into the Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria
(president 1982-83).
In 1967 and '68, Culican and John Taylor along with students, family and friends undertook excavations on the Fossil Beach Cement Works site near Mornington
, Victoria (Australia)
. Perhaps unusual for archaeologists, the resulting monograph was published within a couple of years. This may be the first historical archaeological excavation in Australia (or possible a close tie with Jim Allen's, Port Essington
PhD). Culican's 'modest' report (which won several prizes) was undertaken in the spirit that not to do so would be a "dereliction of archaeological duty", despite one visiting nun
remarking of the site that "It is no Ur of the Chaldees."
During the 1970s he worked in Iran, the Levant, Sicily, Africa and Europe, Marsala, Sicily (1972), was director of the Melbourne excavations at el Quitar, Syria (1982), and the excavation of an Aboriginal ochre mine at Mount Gog, Tasmania (1983). Iran and Phoenicia were Culican’s two central fields of research. H e published on the Phoenicians, The Medes and Persians (1965) and The First Merchant Venturers (1966). His definitive chapter on Phoenician colonisation appeared posthumously in the Cambridge Ancient History (1992). He also planned books on Persian cities and Iranian metal work.
Culican died of myocardial infarction and diabetes on 24 March 1984. The William Culican Memorial Award is awarded to the student with the best thesis in the areas of Archeology or Ancient History by the University of Melbourne annually in his honour. ,
Australian archaeology
Australian Archaeology is a large sub-field in the discipline of Archaeology. Archaeology in Australia takes three main forms, Aboriginal Archaeology , Historical Archaeology and Maritime Archaeology...
and lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
in `Biblical Archaeology’ and `Pre-Classical Antiquity’ at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
Born at New Barn Farm, Great Harwood, Lancashire, he read classics and archaeology at Edinburgh University after a period in the Army, then won a scholarship to Queen’s College, Oxford. His studies centered on Egyptian, Mediterranean and middle eastern subjects, and he learned Sumerian and Akkadian. He came to Australia and obtained a position as lecturer in Semitic studies at the University of Melbourne in 1960, senior lecturer in 1964, transferred to the department of history in 1966, and became reader in 1972. He was a foundation member of the Humanities Research Council (1966) and the Australian Academy of the Humanities (1969). In 1965 he founded the Archaeological Society of Victoria which evolved into the Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria
Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria
The Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria or AASV is an incorporated association formed in 1976 in Melbourne, Australia through the amalgamation of two earlier societies, the Anthropological Society of Victoria formed in 1934, and the Archaeological Society of Victoria formed in 1964...
(president 1982-83).
In 1967 and '68, Culican and John Taylor along with students, family and friends undertook excavations on the Fossil Beach Cement Works site near Mornington
Mornington
-Queensland:* Mornington Island** Mornington Island Airport** Shire of Mornington -Victoria:* Mornington, Victoria** Electoral district of Mornington** Electoral district of Evelyn and Mornington** South Bourke, Evelyn and Mornington Province...
, Victoria (Australia)
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Perhaps unusual for archaeologists, the resulting monograph was published within a couple of years. This may be the first historical archaeological excavation in Australia (or possible a close tie with Jim Allen's, Port Essington
Port Essington
Port Essington is an inlet and historic site located on the Cobourg Peninsula in the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park in Australia's Northern Territory...
PhD). Culican's 'modest' report (which won several prizes) was undertaken in the spirit that not to do so would be a "dereliction of archaeological duty", despite one visiting nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
remarking of the site that "It is no Ur of the Chaldees."
During the 1970s he worked in Iran, the Levant, Sicily, Africa and Europe, Marsala, Sicily (1972), was director of the Melbourne excavations at el Quitar, Syria (1982), and the excavation of an Aboriginal ochre mine at Mount Gog, Tasmania (1983). Iran and Phoenicia were Culican’s two central fields of research. H e published on the Phoenicians, The Medes and Persians (1965) and The First Merchant Venturers (1966). His definitive chapter on Phoenician colonisation appeared posthumously in the Cambridge Ancient History (1992). He also planned books on Persian cities and Iranian metal work.
Culican died of myocardial infarction and diabetes on 24 March 1984. The William Culican Memorial Award is awarded to the student with the best thesis in the areas of Archeology or Ancient History by the University of Melbourne annually in his honour. ,