Glyn Daniel
Encyclopedia
Glyn Edmund Daniel was a Welsh
scientist and archaeologist whose academic career at Cambridge University specialised in the European Neolithic
period. He edited the academic journal Antiquity
from 1958–1985. In addition to early efforts to popularise archaeological study and antiquity on radio and television, he edited several popular studies of the fields. He also published mysteries under the pseudonym Dilwyn Rees.
, a small village between Narbeth and Whitland
, in south west Wales
, where his father, John Daniel, was the village schoolmaster. When Glyn Daniel was five he moved with his parents to Llantwit Major
in the Vale of Glamorgan
. He attended Barry County School for Boys, Barry where his academic ability led to him being awarded a State Scholarship (which he enabled him to go to the University of Cambridge
) and a Glamorgan County Scholarship in 1931. The Glamorgan County Scholarship allowed Glyn Daniel to study geology
, and the church organ, at Cardiff University
for a year. In 1932 he went up to St John's College, Cambridge
, where he remained for the rest of his academic career, to read archaeology
and anthropology
, and graduated with a first-class honours degree with distinction.
by working for the RAF
's air photo unit. He analysed and examined photos of enemy territory.
. His main subject of study was Neolithic
chamber tomb
s, although he also wrote books on the history of archaeology and archaeological thought.
Daniel appeared on television. He was a host, often with Sir Mortimer Wheeler
as a guest, on the game show
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?. He edited numerous popular studies of archaeological sites and cultures.
The McDonald Institute, University of Cambridge, have named the Glyn Daniel Laboratory for Archaeogenetics in his memory.
Dilwyn Rees. His novels The Cambridge Murders (1945) (later (1965) published by Penguin
under his own name) and Welcome Death (originally published under his own name in 1954) feature Sir Richard Cherrington, an eminent but slightly eccentric archaeologist who is the Vice-President of Fisher College – a character based on the author.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
scientist and archaeologist whose academic career at Cambridge University specialised in the European Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period. He edited the academic journal Antiquity
Antiquity (journal)
Antiquity is an academic journal dedicated to the subject of archaeology. It publishes four editions a year, covering topics worldwide from all periods. Its current editor is Martin Carver, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of York....
from 1958–1985. In addition to early efforts to popularise archaeological study and antiquity on radio and television, he edited several popular studies of the fields. He also published mysteries under the pseudonym Dilwyn Rees.
Early life and education
Daniel was born in Lampeter Velfrey, PembrokeshirePembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
, a small village between Narbeth and Whitland
Whitland
Whitland is a small town in Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales, lying on the River Tâf. Whitland is home to the elusive "Whitland Trout" noted for its eggs and oily scales.- History :...
, in south west Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, where his father, John Daniel, was the village schoolmaster. When Glyn Daniel was five he moved with his parents to Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major is a small coastal town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the Bristol Channel coast. A small stream, the Afon Col-huw, runs through the town.-Local government:...
in the Vale of Glamorgan
Vale of Glamorgan
The Vale of Glamorgan is a county borough in Wales; an exceptionally rich agricultural area, it lies in the southern part of Glamorgan, South Wales...
. He attended Barry County School for Boys, Barry where his academic ability led to him being awarded a State Scholarship (which he enabled him to go to the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
) and a Glamorgan County Scholarship in 1931. The Glamorgan County Scholarship allowed Glyn Daniel to study geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, and the church organ, at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
for a year. In 1932 he went up to St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, where he remained for the rest of his academic career, to read archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
and anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, and graduated with a first-class honours degree with distinction.
World War II
During the Second World War, Daniel applied his talents at interpreting archaeological sites through aerial photographyAerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
by working for the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
's air photo unit. He analysed and examined photos of enemy territory.
Career
After the war Daniel returned to Cambridge to resume his academic life. He became Disney Professor of Archaeology in 1974. From 1958–1985, he was editor of the academic journal AntiquityAntiquity (journal)
Antiquity is an academic journal dedicated to the subject of archaeology. It publishes four editions a year, covering topics worldwide from all periods. Its current editor is Martin Carver, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of York....
. His main subject of study was Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
chamber tomb
Chamber tomb
A chamber tomb is a tomb for burial used in many different cultures. In the case of individual burials, the chamber is thought to signify a higher status for the interree than a simple grave. Built from rock or sometimes wood, the chambers could also serve as places for storage of the dead from one...
s, although he also wrote books on the history of archaeology and archaeological thought.
Daniel appeared on television. He was a host, often with Sir Mortimer Wheeler
Mortimer Wheeler
Brigadier Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler CH, CIE, MC, FBA, FSA , was one of the best-known British archaeologists of the twentieth century.-Education and career:...
as a guest, on the game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral?. He edited numerous popular studies of archaeological sites and cultures.
The McDonald Institute, University of Cambridge, have named the Glyn Daniel Laboratory for Archaeogenetics in his memory.
Academic works
- The Prehistoric Chamber Tombs of France (1960),
- The Megalith Builders of Western Europe (1963),
- 150 Years of Archaeology (1976), and
- a number of articles in archaeological journals.
- His most accessible work for the general public is The Idea of Prehistory (1962), later updated in collaboration with Colin Renfrew, Edinburgh University Press, 1988.
Detective fiction
Daniel wrote detective fiction under the pseudonymPseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Dilwyn Rees. His novels The Cambridge Murders (1945) (later (1965) published by Penguin
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
under his own name) and Welcome Death (originally published under his own name in 1954) feature Sir Richard Cherrington, an eminent but slightly eccentric archaeologist who is the Vice-President of Fisher College – a character based on the author.
External links
- "Antiquaries in Wales", Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales