Marion Campbell (archaeologist) on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
Marion Campbell (c. 16 December 1919 - 13 June 2000) was a Scottish archaeologist. She was one of the first people to complete an archaeological survey of
PSAS
in 1962. Campbell's work included the first survey of
Among the artifacts described by Campbell were th
Kilberry Sculptured Stones
found on Campbell's estate. These artifacts are dated to the Early and Medieval Christian Period and consist of 26 sculptured stones including crosses and cross fragments, grave slabs, and effigies. Campbell moved many of the Kilberry Sculptured Stones to the basement of Kilberry Castle in 1948 to better preserve and protect them. In 1951, she donated the stones to the Ministry of Works, which displayed them in a new, separate structure on Campbell's estate. Campbell was passionate about and an advocate for the history of Argyll, where she lived most of her life. She promoted the conversion of Auchindrain Township into a museum; the museum opened in 1968 and today educates visitors about traditional Scottish farming life. In the 1990s, Campbell donated her personal collection of artifacts to form the founding collection of th
Kilmartin House
Today known as the Kilmartin Museum, the organization educates the public about the archaeological and natural history of Kilmartin Glen, where much of Campbell's professional work was focused. In 1977, Campbell published the book ''Argyll: The Enduring Heartland'' which details the history of Argyll as well as Campbell's love and connection to the region. Campbell's account of Scottish history and pride was well-received, with three separate editions appearing in print since its original publication. Campbell also researched Alexander III, a Scottish king with ties to Argyll. She compiled a decades-worth of research into the biography ''Alexander III, King of Scots,'' published shortly before her death in 1999. In 1955, Campbell founded th
Natural History and Antiquarian Society of Mid Argyll
an organization dedicated to discussing, preserving, and educating the general public about the local history of Mid Argyll. She served as president of the Society from its founding until 1990. In 1971 she also became the founding editor and a regular contributor to the Mid Argyll Society's journal ''The Kist.'' Campbell became a Fellow of the
The Air that Carries the Weight
' by Rebecca Sharp features Marion Campbell as a character; the play also incorporates her archaeological and fictional writings. The Kilmartin Museum's library is dedicated to and named after Campbell.
Kilmartin Glen
Kilmartin Glen is an area in Argyll north of Knapdale. It has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland. The glen is located between Oban and Lochgilphead, surrounding the village of Kilmartin. In ...
in Mid Argyll. Campbell was an advocate for local history; she promoted and donated to several Argyll museums and published works about Argyll's history. She also published several fictional novels.
Personal life
Marion Campbell was the daughter of John Campbell and Marion Durand. Campbell lived most of her life in Argyll (today part ofArgyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute ( sco, Argyll an Buit; gd, Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòd, ) is one of 32 unitary authority council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod (14 July 2020) ...
) on her family's estate of Kilberry
Kilberry ( gd, Cill Bheiridh) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is close to the western coast of the district of Knapdale.
Kilberry Castle, just to the west of the village, was built in 1497 as a L-plan castle by a cadet branch of ...
. She inherited Kilberry when she was 8 years old, following her father's death. The estate was sold to an older cousin, but Campbell regained possession of it once she turned 18.
During World War II, Campbell served in the British military as part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service ( ATS) and the Women's Royal Navy Service ( WRNS). Following her military service, Campbell returned to Kilberry where she operated and managed several farms on her estate.
Campbell was involved in local politics, and she served as a district councillor as a member of the Scottish National Party for 20 years beginning in 1955.
In 1954, Campbell's childhood friend Mary Sandeman moved into Kilberry Castle
Kilberry Castle is a Category B listed country house near Kilberry in South Knapdale in the county of Argyll, in western Scotland on the shores of the Sound of Jura.
History and architecture
The castle is said to have been built at the end of th ...
. The two lived and worked together until Sandeman's death in 1995.
Archaeologist and Historian
Between 1954 and 1963, Campbell and Sandeman completed afield survey
Field research, field studies, or fieldwork is the collection of raw data outside a laboratory, library, or workplace setting. The approaches and methods used in field research vary across disciplines. For example, biologists who conduct fi ...
of Mid Argyll. The survey noted the locations of objects and sites that warranted further archaeological study, including standing stones, cairns, Early- and Medieval-Christian artifacts and sites, and forts. The survey was published in volume 95 of the journal Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of ScotlandPSAS
in 1962. Campbell's work included the first survey of
Kilmartin Glen
Kilmartin Glen is an area in Argyll north of Knapdale. It has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland. The glen is located between Oban and Lochgilphead, surrounding the village of Kilmartin. In ...
; it also created direction for many later archaeological studies of Mid Argyll.
Among the artifacts described by Campbell were thKilberry Sculptured Stones
found on Campbell's estate. These artifacts are dated to the Early and Medieval Christian Period and consist of 26 sculptured stones including crosses and cross fragments, grave slabs, and effigies. Campbell moved many of the Kilberry Sculptured Stones to the basement of Kilberry Castle in 1948 to better preserve and protect them. In 1951, she donated the stones to the Ministry of Works, which displayed them in a new, separate structure on Campbell's estate. Campbell was passionate about and an advocate for the history of Argyll, where she lived most of her life. She promoted the conversion of Auchindrain Township into a museum; the museum opened in 1968 and today educates visitors about traditional Scottish farming life. In the 1990s, Campbell donated her personal collection of artifacts to form the founding collection of th
Kilmartin House
Today known as the Kilmartin Museum, the organization educates the public about the archaeological and natural history of Kilmartin Glen, where much of Campbell's professional work was focused. In 1977, Campbell published the book ''Argyll: The Enduring Heartland'' which details the history of Argyll as well as Campbell's love and connection to the region. Campbell's account of Scottish history and pride was well-received, with three separate editions appearing in print since its original publication. Campbell also researched Alexander III, a Scottish king with ties to Argyll. She compiled a decades-worth of research into the biography ''Alexander III, King of Scots,'' published shortly before her death in 1999. In 1955, Campbell founded th
Natural History and Antiquarian Society of Mid Argyll
an organization dedicated to discussing, preserving, and educating the general public about the local history of Mid Argyll. She served as president of the Society from its founding until 1990. In 1971 she also became the founding editor and a regular contributor to the Mid Argyll Society's journal ''The Kist.'' Campbell became a Fellow of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is the senior antiquarian body of Scotland, with its headquarters in the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The Society's aim is to promote the cultural heritage of Scotland.
The usua ...
in 1949 and an Honorary Fellow of the Society in 1988.
Novelist
Campbell published two nonfiction books. ''Argyll: The Enduring Heartland'' combines historical and archaeological accounts of Argyll with poetry and personal essays written by Campbell; it was published in 1977. Her biography of Alexander III, entitled ''Alexander III, King of Scots,'' was published in 1999. Campbell also wrote several works of historical fiction. Her children's historical novel ''The Wide Blue Road'' was published in 1957 and was her debut fictional work. It was followed by three more in the series. ''The Dark Twin'' was set in Bronze Age Scotland; it was published in 1973. Campbell based the storyline from mysterious, waking dreams she had during this period. The novel was particularly popular in the United States, and in the 1990s Campbell sold the film rights.Legacy
The 2014 play'The Air that Carries the Weight
' by Rebecca Sharp features Marion Campbell as a character; the play also incorporates her archaeological and fictional writings. The Kilmartin Museum's library is dedicated to and named after Campbell.
Published works
* (1957) ''The Wide Blue Road,'' J.M. Dent & Sons, * (1962) Campbell, M. and Sandeman, M., "Mid Argyll: an archaeological survey", ''Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland'', vol 95, pp. 1–125. * (1963) ''Lances and Longships,'' J.M. Dent & Sons *(1964) ''The Squire of Val,'' J.M. Dent & Sons *(1965) ''Young Hugh,'' J.M. Dent & Sons *(1973) ''The Dark Twin,'' House of Lochar, * (1977) ''Argyll: The Enduring Heartland,'' House of Lochar, * (1999) ''Alexander III King of Scots'', House of Lochar,References