Tania Ghirshman (1900–1984), born Antoinette Levienne, was a French

archaeologist Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of Artifact (archaeology), artifacts, architecture, biofact (archaeology), biofacts or ecofacts, ...

and restorationist of Ukrainian origin. Originally a

dentist A dentist, also known as a dental doctor, dental physician, dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry, the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist's supporting team aids in provi ...

, Ghirshman became involved in archaeology after her marriage to

Roman Ghirshman Roman Ghirshman (, ''Roman Mikhailovich Girshman''; October 3, 1895 – 5 September 1979) was a Ukrainian-born French archeologist who specialized in ancient Persia. Ghirshman spent nearly thirty years excavating ancient Persian archeologic ...

, with whom she directed numerous excavations in

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

and

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

, most notably the ancient city of

Susa Susa ( ) was an ancient city in the lower Zagros Mountains about east of the Tigris, between the Karkheh River, Karkheh and Dez River, Dez Rivers in Iran. One of the most important cities of the Ancient Near East, Susa served as the capital o ...

. She abandoned her career as a dental surgeon and adapted her skills in dentistry to restoration accompanying her husband

on all of his missions providing much practical support especially during difficult circumstances. Drawing the illustration for his works she also helped in restorative works on the excavated projects, as well as providing reproductions for her husband's publications. Her memoir, ''Archéologue malgré moi'' (Archaeologist in Spite of Myself), was awarded a Prix Broquette-Gonin in literature by the

Académie française An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tertiary education. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 386 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the go ...

in 1971. Her memoir gave a colourful description of her life on the missions with her husband.

Awards

Ghirshman was awarded a Prix Broquette-Gonin in literature by the Académi française for the completion of her memoir "Archéologue malgré moi" or "Archaeologist in Spite of Myself" in 1971.

References

1900 births 1984 deaths Archaeologists from Istanbul French women archaeologists Conservator-restorers Archaeologists of the Near East French dentists Women dentists 20th-century French archaeologists 20th-century dentists 20th-century French women scientists {{Archaeologist-stub