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Inspector Timetable

2013-05-08T09:24:04+00:00

{xtypo_dropcap}T{/xtypo_dropcap}his is a detailed timetable for Pitt-Rivers' activities as Inspector of Ancient Monuments. It is hoped that additional information will be added to this as it becomes clear. Please write if you know of any activities that are not recorded below to rpr@prm.ox.ac.uk:

Year	Date	Activity and Location	Source
1883	January 1	Takes up duties as Inspector of Ancient Monuments	Thompson, 1977: 64, 73, 125; Chapman 1981 Chapter 7
1883	May 3 - ?	Pitt-Rivers goes to Marlborough, and Bath, visits Silbury Hill, then on to Kingston Lisle, Uffington / White Horse in Oxfordshire [Berkshire]	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 14-22
1883	June 7	Pitt-Rivers carries out visit as Inspector of Ancient Monuments to Oxfordshire / Warwickshire	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 22
1883	June 30	Pitt-Rivers visits Danes Camp in Northampton, travelling to Northampton by train from London, also visits Duston	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 37
1883	July 1	Pitt-Rivers appears to have been excavating at Hunsbury Camp, near Northampton with H. Pressland	Volume 1 CUL volumes, page 263
1883	July 12	Pitt-Rivers visits Stantonbury Camp near Bath	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 43
1883	July 13	Pitt-Rivers visits Stoney Littleton near Bath	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 51
1883	July 14	Pitt-Rivers visits Uley (Buck Holt Tump)	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 56
1883	August 29	Pitt-Rivers takes train from London to Bakewell, visits Hob Hursts House and Arbourlow	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 61-63
1883	August 30	Pitt-Rivers stays in Bakewell, visits Rowsley	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 71
1883	August 31	Pitt-Rivers visits Rowsley, Nine Ladies stays at Bakewell	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 71
1883	September 1	Pitt-Rivers visits Arbourlow, night at Bakewell	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 71
1883	September 2	Pitt-Rivers travels from Bakewell to Penrith, stays at Penrith	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 71
1883	September 3	Pitt-Rivers visits Lowther Castle, Brougham Castle etc night at Penrith	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 71
1883	September 4	Pitt-Rivers visits Long Megg site, night at Penrith	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 71
1883	September 5	Pitt-Rivers travels Penrith to Keswick, stays at Keswick	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 99
1883	September 6	Pitt-Rivers travels Penrith to Edinburgh and stays overnight at Edinburgh	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 99
1883	September 7	Pitt-Rivers travels to ?Kirkleton, stays night at Edinburgh	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 99
1883	September 8	Pitt-Rivers stays in Edinburgh	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 99
1883	September 9	Pitt-Rivers travels from Edinburgh to London Acquired objects from dealers in Edinburgh during this stay dated 11 August	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 99; CUL volume 1
1883	Before November 16	Reported that Pitt-Rivers 'for last few days' had been examining site in Penselwood [Pen Pits]	Morning Post 16 November 1883 p. 5
1884	May 31	Pitt-Rivers visits Castle Dykes Northampton	National Archives workbook 39/14 page 114
1884	June 3	Pitt-Rivers inspecting Wayland's Smithy, Uffington and White Horse Hill, Oxfordshire (then Berkshire)	National Archives workbook 39/12 page 6
1884	June 8	Pitt-Rivers inspecting Pentre Ifan, a megalithic site, between Fishguard and Cardigan in Pembrokeshire	According to this website
1884	June ?	Pitt-Rivers carries out inspection visit of Midlands, Wales	Thompson, 1977:66, 125
1884	July 19	Pitt-Rivers visiting Bakewell, Derbyshire	National Archives workbook 39/12 page 64
1884	August 2	Visiting Brechin, Scotland	National Archives workbook 39/12 page 37
1884	August 25-26	Pitt-Rivers visiting St Vigeans Church, Arbroath	National Archives workbook 39/12 page 31
1884	August 30	Pitt-Rivers visiting Huntley, Aberdeenshire	National Archives workbook 39/12 page 53
1884	2-30 August / September	Pitt-Rivers carries out inspection visit of East coast of Scotland. Visiting dealers in Edinburgh 8.9.1884	Thompson, 1977:66, 125, CUL volume 1. National Archives workbook 39/12
1884	September 25	Pitt-Rivers has letter published on Pen Pits, signed himself Inspector of Ancient Monuments	The Times 25 September 1884
1884	September no days	Pitt-Rivers carries out inspection visit of East coast of Scotland	CUL Volume 2 page 99
1884	No month no days	Pitt-Rivers tours Oxfordshire archaeological sites as part of Inspector job	Chapman, 1981: 496
1885	April no days	Pitt-Rivers carries out inspection of Kit Coty House, Kent [exact date unknown]	British Architect 23:16 17 April 1885
1885	July 25 and on	Pitt-Rivers carries out inspector's tour of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Orkneys and west coast Scotland. 31 July in Edinburgh visiting dealers	National Archives workbook 39/ 16 page 12
1885	July 28	Inspector's tour of Cumberland, Pitt-Rivers at Burn Moor Eskdale	National Archives workbook 39/ 6 page 31
1885	July 29	Inspector's tour of Cumberland, Pitt-Rivers at Shap	National Archives workbook 39/ 6 page 31
1885	August ?4 - ?5 September	Scotland, Inspector's tour, on Isle of Lewis Pitt-Rivers inspecting stone circle near 'Gary-na-line' Inn and sheiling near 'Bavin gail'	National Archives workbook 39/16 page 117, 120; Thompson, 1977: 126; CUL Volume 2 page 147 and on. National Archives workbook 39/6 page 37 confirms he was near Oban on 4.8.1885, 39/6 page 4 confirms he was at Culloden on 5.9.1885, page 1 dated August, page 46 dated 13.8.1885 on Isle of Lewis
1885	by September 12	Pitt-Rivers at British Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Aberdeen, reads paper on ancient remains and goverment plans to preserve them	The Times 12 September 1885
1886	July	Pitt-Rivers writes to Hampshire Field Club requesting list of ancient monuments	Antiquarian News, Antiquary 14 (July 1886) p. 35
1886	October ?25-28	Pitt-Rivers carries out Inspectors visit of Scotland	Thompson, 1977: 67-8. See National Archives workbook 39/7 page 7, 8 for Whithorn on 25.10.1886, page 11 in Kirkcubrightshire on 26.10.1886, page 14 Kirkmadrine and page 20 Stoney Kirk both 27.10.1886, page 23 Laggangarn 28.10.1886
1886	October 25	Pitt-Rivers visits Whithorn	National Archives workbook 39/7 page 8
1886	October 26	Pitt-Rivers visits Kirkcubrightshire	National Archives workbook 39/7 page 11
1886	October 27	Pitt-Rivers visits Kirkmadrine	National Archives workbook 39/7 page 14
1886	October 27	Pitt-Rivers visits Stoney Kirk	National Archives workbook 39/7 page 20
1886	October 28	Pitt-Rivers visits Laggangarn	National Archives workbook 39/7 page 23
1886	December ?	Pitt-Rivers carries out Inspector's visit of North Wales	Thompson, 1977: 67-8
1887	August ?27-31	Pitt-Rivers visiting Derbyshire and South Yorkshire as Inspector of Ancient Monuments	Thompson, 1977: 126. National Archives Workbook 39/7 page 27 in W. Sheffield 29.8.1887; page 32 he was at Bradfield near Sheffield on 31.8.1887, and in Sheffield on 30.8.1887, page 52
1887	August 29	Pitt-Rivers visiting Karlwarll [?] near Sheffield and also Hope in Derbyshire	National Archives workbook 39/9 pages 12, 21
1887	September ?1	Pitt-Rivers visiting South Yorkshire	National Archives Workbook 39/7 makes it clear that he was in Sheffield on 1.9.1887 looking at Bateman collection in Sheffield Museum
1887	September 17	Pitt-Rivers visiting Dorchester Maiden Castle and ampitheatre in Dorchester	National Archives workbook 39/9 pages 64, 66.
1887	October ?9-15	Pitt-Rivers in Scotland	Thompson, 1977: 126. See National Archives workbook 39/5 page 4 etc and 39/8 page 3 and on.
1887	October	Pitt-Rivers in Cumberland and Westmoreland, tour as part of duties of Inspector of Ancient Monuments.	Quarterly Notes on Archaeological Progress and Development Reliquary 1 October 1887 p. 242
1887	November 4	Pitt-Rivers sends off Ancient Monument Report	National Archives workbook 39/8 page 34
1887	December 29	Pitt-Rivers copies information held by Rev Jenkins, Penmachno as part of duties as Inspector of Ancient Monuments	National Archives workbook 39/5 page 21
1888	September 25 and on	Pitt-Rivers tours south west England as Inspector of Ancient Monuments	Route given National Archives workbook 39/10 page 7, date given page 8 [goes straight on to tour in October in Wales]
1888	October 3-9	Pitt-Rivers in Carmarthen, Wales as Inspector of Ancient Monuments, later he travels home via Bath and Devizes [on 9.10.1888]	National Archives Workbook 39/4 pages 24, 31 confirms dates. Bath visit confirmed 39/4 page 46, Devizes pages 48, 53
1889	April 1-5	Pitt-Rivers visits Devizes, Bradford on Avon etc as Inspector of Ancient Monuments	National Archives workbook 39/10 page 10, page 11 and on give dates
1889	May 28	Pitt-Rivers attends meeting of Anthropological Institute and exhibits skeletal finds from excavations at Hunsbury Camp, Northampton and Llantwit, Cardiff	Peter Rivière
1889	27-31 July	Pitt-Rivers carries out Inspector's tour of Scotland, in Edinburgh 28-31 July, left for Perth on 31.7.1889	Thompson, 1977: 68, 126. National Archives workbook 39/3 confirms dates page 19 someone is at Dyce on 16.8.89, workbook 39/8 page 46 confirms someone was in Perth on 29.8.1889. National Archives 39/13 page 9 says left Euston London on July 27, arrives Edinburgh 28th where he stayed until 31st
1889	August 1	Pitt-Rivers returns to London leaving Gray and Tomkin to do tour [Mrs Rivers ill, Pitt-Rivers informed by telegram]	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 10
1889	August 29	Pitt-Rivers returns to Scotland to resume Inspectors tour	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 28
1889	September 2-3	Pitt-Rivers visiting Glamis, Scotland	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 28
1889	September 4	Pitt-Rivers visiting Aberdeen, Scotland	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 28
1889	September 10	Pitt-Rivers visiting St Andrews, Scotland	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 48
1889	October 1-3	Pitt-Rivers still in Newcastle	CUL volume 2 page 613 and on
1889		? First year Pitt-Rivers uses typewriter and camera in record keeping	Thompson, 1977: 95
1889		Pitt-Rivers' assistant, Tomkin sent to Polytechnic in London for instruction in photography and drawing	Thompson, 1977: 95
1890	March	Pitt-Rivers visiting Chedworth Roman Villa as Inspector of Ancient Monuments	National Archives workbook 39/11 page 37
1890	May 28	Pitt-Rivers writes encouraging archaeological investigation in England	The Times 2 June 1890
1890	June 2	Pitt-Rivers publishes letter in Times 2 June 1890 for establishment of English Exploration Fund	NOTES ON CURRENT EVENTS., British Architect, 33:23 (1890:June 6) p.401-2
1890	June 12	Pitt-Rivers exhibits models of crosses at Society of Antiquaries. Announcement of talk by Pitt-Rivers on crosses at Society	Thompson, 1977: 126; The Times 12 June 1890
1890	July 4	Pitt-Rivers writes on preserving British antiquities from Rushmore	The Times 15 July 1890
1890	September 7 or 8	Pitt-Rivers visiting Haverfordwest Wales as Inspector of Ancient Monuments. [NB It is possible that this tour was done by P-R's assistant rather than himself. Workbook supports this as it is written by assistant]	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 54, 56
1890	September 9	Pitt-Rivers visiting Longhouse, Wales	National Archives workbook 39/13 page 57
1890	September 12	Pitt-Rivers visiting Pen Bont, ?Newport, Wales	National Archives workbook 39/4 page 60
1890	September ?	Pitt-Rivers congratulated on recovering from an unspecified illness which has prevented him working	L651 Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Pitt-Rivers papers
1890		Pitt-Rivers gives up salary but keeps honorary post of Inspector	Thompson, 1977: 126
1891	April 25	Pitt-Rivers gives money for work on Roman walls in Chester	Roman Remains in Chester, Athenaeum 3313 (1891:Apr. 25) p.543-4
1891	July 22 – September 8	Pitt-Rivers tries to buy Old Sarum; eventually Dean and Chapter retained possession	Manchester Guardian 22 July 1891; Morning Post 8 September 1891 p. 3
1892	September 17	Pitt-Rivers involved with rescue of Alfriston Church, Sussex	Manchester Guardian 17 September 1892
1897	October 22	Pitt-Rivers comments on toothlessness of Ancient Monuments Act	Manchester Guardian 22 October 1897

Inspector of Ancient Monuments

2013-05-07T12:01:07+00:00

General Pitt-Rivers held the almost thankless office of Inspector of Ancient Monuments, under the Ancient Monuments Act, which we owe to Lord Avebury (Sir John Lubbock). He tried to make landowners see their duty in this respect as he saw his; but, alas ! here he failed for the most part. [Obituary of Pitt-Rivers, Folklore, 11 no. 2, p. 185-7]

{joomplu:1214 detail align right}{xtypo_dropcap}P{/xtypo_dropcap}itt-Rivers was Inspector of Ancient Monuments from 1883 until his death in 1900. It was a post he was proud to hold, on his memorial in St Peter ad Vinicula at Tollard Royal it says:

Augustus Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers FRS FSA DCL of Rushmore Gren Gds [Grenadier Guards] was on the staff of ASDAQMG at the Battle of Alma AAGAT Cork Comm. DG Depot at Guildford First Instr. [Instructor] of Musketry at Hythe and Malta. Devoted the last twenty years of his life to anthropological research. Inspector of Ancient Monuments. Born 12 April 1827 passed away 4 May 1900. Erected in loving memory by his eldest son Alexander Edward Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers. Also of his wife the Hon. Alice Margaret born 30 July 1828 and died 19 May 1910.

As his first biographer, Michael Thompson, explains:

Pitt-Rivers first became directly concerned in questions of preservation in 1868 when he was a member of a Committee set up by the International Congress of Prehistoric Archaeology held at Norwich to consider the protection of megaliths. The matter exercised his mind for the rest of his life. When in the late 1870s it looked as if Lubbock's private Bill might become law Pitt-Rivers made two practice runs, as it were, in Brittany in 1878 and 1879 (he spent that winter in France). The Government Bill that became law in October, 1882, created the post of Inspector of Ancient Monuments which Pitt-Rivers was invited to fill. he took up his duties on 1st January, 1883 and although he voluntarily relinquished the salary of £250 p.a. in 1890 he remained honorary inspector until his death in 1900. [See here for source]

See here for a detailed timetable for Pitt-Rivers work as Inspector of Ancient Monuments

Other useful links:

Information about the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Pitt-Rivers papers (including those relating to Ancient Monuments)

Manuscripts given to the Pitt Rivers Museum by Anthony Pitt-Rivers in 2012

'Our Ancient Monuments' [Excavating Pitt-Rivers, DCF project]

National Archives, Kew: workbooks Ancient Monuments Inspectorate:

Short descriptions of Inspectorate workbooks taken from National Archives site, above, in May 2013:

Work 39/1: Unnumbered sketchbook entitled `France, 1878', containing notes, plans and sketches made by Pitt Rivers (Lane Fox) in Brittany 1878 Oct-1879 Mar

Work 39/2: Unnumbered sketchbook without covers (with geometrical calculations on front page), entitled '1879', containing notes, plans and sketches made by Pitt Rivers (Lane Fox) in Brittany. 1879 Mar 01 - 1879 Apr 30

Work 39/3: Sketchbook no 1, entitled `Ancient Monuments', illustrating a journey to Scotland, and also Avebury and Bradford-on-Avon churches. Mainly the work of Pitt Rivers' assistant C W Gray. To accompany parts of notebooks 6 and 11. 1889

Work 39/4: Sketchbook no 2, entitled `Celtic Crosses ... Cromlechs ... Museum Sketches', containing mainly preparatory tracings of crosses made before and drawings made on a Welsh journey in 1888, and including drawings of objects at Cirencester, Bath and Devizes museums. Also megaliths drawn in 1890. [The work of assistants Reader and C W Gray.] To accompany parts of notebooks 8 and 11. 1888-1890

Work 39/5: Sketchbook no 3, entitled `Ancient Monuments, Wigtonshire (Wigtownshire), Welsh Crosses, etc', illustrating a journey to Scotland and preparatory tracings made before and drawings made on a visit to Penmachno church. [The work of an assistant, probably Reader.] To accompany part of notebook 6. 1887

Work 39/6: Sketchbook no 4, entitled `Ancient Monuments', followed by a list of sites, illustrating a journey to Scotland. The work of assistant Tomkin. To accompany parts of notebooks, 13, 7 and 14. 1885

Work 39/7: Sketchbook no 5, entitled `Ancient Monuments', followed by a list of sites, illustrating a journey to Scotland in 1886, and journeys in 1887. The work of assistant Tomkin. To accompany parts of notebooks 6 and 7. 1886-1887

Work 39/8: Notebook no 6, entitled `Ancient Monuments'; Commenced October 1887. Notes on ...', followed by a list of sites, containing notes made by Pitt Rivers on various journeys. 1887-1889

Work 39/9: Notebook no 7, entitled `Ancient Monuments, Scotland, No 3, 1885-1886', containing notes made by Pitt Rivers on journeys in England in 1887, Scotland in 1885 (crofting and shielings etc, with three letters of introduction for Pitt Rivers as Inspector of Ancient Monuments in Scotland dated 1885, in pocket of notebook. 1885-1887

Work 39/10: Notebook no 8, entitled `Ancient Monuments, Tour made by W S Tomkin, 1888', notes made by Tomkin on journeys to Wales and Wansdyke. 1888 Sept 0 -1889 Apr 30

Work 39/11: Sketchbook no 9, entitled `Ancient Monuments', followed by a list of sites, illustrating a journey to Scotland in 1889 and drawings made by Tomkin at Chedworth Roman Villa, 1890, etc. To accompany parts of notebooks 6 and 11 1889-1890

Work 39/12: Sketchbook no 10, entitled `Ancient Monuments', followed by a list of sites, illustrating journeys in 1884. Almost entirely the work of Tomkin, with the exception of a section of Wayland Smithy by Pitt Rivers. To accompany parts of notebooks 12 and 13. 1884

Work 39/13: Notebook no 11, entitled `Ancient Monuments Journey, Messrs Tomkin and Gray, 1890', followed by a list of sites; concerning a journey to Scotland in 1889 and short journeys in 1890. 1889-1890

Work 39/14: Notebook no 12, entitled `Ancient Monuments 1883, No 1', concerning Pitt Rivers' journeys in England and Scotland in 1883 and journeys in England and Wales in 1884. 1883-1884

Work 39/15: Notebook no 13, entitled `Ancient Monuments, Scotland, July 1884', concerning Pitt Rivers' journeys in England and Scotland in 1884 and journey to Scotland in 1885. 1884.1885

Work 39/16: Notebook no 14, entitled `Ancient Monuments, W S T', containing Tomkin's diary, sections plans and sketches from Scottish journey of 1885, and miscellaneous notes on work on the collections of Pitt Rivers in November 1886, and other times. To accompany parts of notebooks 13 and 7, and sketchbook 4. 1885-1886

Pitt-Rivers' models, including those made of monuments he visited as Inspector

Pitt-Rivers and Lubbock

Pitt-Rivers' tour of Brittany 1878-9

The dispute over Pen Pits 1878

Tour of Scotland as part of his Inspector's duties 1885

Pottery-making in Barvas [National Archives 39/9 pp. 81-2] (Notes taken during his work as Inspector in 1885)

Part of a talk about his collection of Celtic cross models, seen during his Inspector tours

Pitt-Rivers and the camera lucida

Pitt-Rivers and the photography of objects (also discusses the photographic work as Inspector)

Pitt-Rivers and Cerne Abbas

Pitt-Rivers, A.H.L.F. 1888. [c]. 'Address as President of the Anthropological Section of the British Association, Bath, September 6, 1888', Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (1888), pp. 825-835. Pitt-Rivers discusses the role of Inspector of Ancient Monuments pp.825-828.

AP May 2013.