The beating heart of Egyptology can be found in no other than the South East of England, nestled within the historic and prestigious University of Oxford.
It’s the Griffith Institute, and it stands as a testament to the preservation and study of ancient Egyptian heritage and culture. Founded in 1939, originally bequeathed from the personal collection of Francis Llewellyn Griffith, the first Professor of Egyptology at Oxford, the archive houses diverse and world-renowned collections, offering a fascinating glimpse into life in Ancient Egypt.
In a world where cultural heritage is under threat, the work of the Griffith Institute is more important than ever, serving as a treasure trove for researchers, academics, and enthusiasts alike from all across the globe. And with the help of the TownsWeb Archiving Digitisation Grant, the Griffith Institute has ensured that one particular collection - that of Amelia Edwards - is preserved and accessible for generations to come, no matter who or where they are in the world.
“Amelia Edwards is one of the most remarkable figures in British Egyptology and being able to put our Edwards collection online will hopefully enable both scholars and the public to better understand her academic contribution to our field but also appreciate her as the multi-faceted woman she was and a true patron not only of Egyptology but the arts in general.”
Daniela Rosenow, Archivist
Visionaries in Preserving Egypt’s Cultural Heritage
The Griffith Institute has been at the forefront of Egyptological research for the better part of a century.
Materials from the archive have been foundational to hundreds of popular academic publications every year. With over 160 substantial collections, ranging from excavation records to watercolours, the institute offers a comprehensive view of Egyptology from its early days in the 18th century to the present.
However, setting the standard for Egyptological archive practice in the UK and beyond has its own weight to bear: not only do those based in and around Oxford benefit from the extensive resources within these archives, but there’s a growing demand from researchers worldwide to have equal access. This places significant pressure on the institute to ensure that the archives are digitally accessible to a wider audience, and this is where the TownsWeb Archiving Digitisation Grant comes into play.
Winners of the TownsWeb Archiving Digitisation Grant
With over two decades of experience, TownsWeb Archiving are pioneers in expertly digitising heritage archives. Having witnessed the impact on funding cuts within the sector first-hand, we, where we can, want to do our part and minimise the devastating prospect of damaged and lost collections due to lack of funding.
Our mission is to see archives safeguarded and open opportunities for access, discovery, and revenue generation for collections across the United Kingdom - whether they’re small, large, public, or within the private sector.
The TownsWeb Archiving Digitisation Grant has been up and running for six years, benefitting over 100 organisations and awarding nearly £110,000 to worthy projects nationwide. Each year, three grants of £3,000 are on offer for top applicants, with up to £1,000 available in match funding for those who don’t win, just for simply applying.
In 2023, after sending in an application and showcasing the importance of the Amelia Edwards collection, a panel of three expert cultural heritage judges chose the Griffith Institute as an exemplary candidate within four primary areas: heritage need, social/community impact, research value, and improved accessibility.
A journey into Egypt
Wasting no time after emerging victorious as the grant winner, the Griffith Institute provided the documents to the Amelia Edwards collection - including journals, drawings, photographs and maps - for digitisation, coinciding neatly with the 150th anniversary of Amelia’s journey to Egypt and becoming the most influential figure in Egyptology. A remarkable feat for a young, unmarried woman.
The collection holds immense importance as Amelia Edwards was a remarkable pioneering woman. Already an esteemed author and novelist, she first travelled to Egypt in 1873 on a trip which would change the course of Egyptology forever. She became, quickly, fascinated by the ancient ruins and dedicated her life to ensuring the preservation of the ancient sites, establishing the Egypt Exploration Fund in 1882. Both this fund, and her contributions to the field, have left a lasting impact to this day.
The Griffith Institute’s Amelia Edwards collection includes four albums containing around 200 of her watercolours, unique for both artistic and historical references. These watercolours offer a true reflection of Egypt, its people, and its landscapes in the late 19th century, whilst additional correspondence and musical compositions provide an insight into the multifaceted nature of Amelia Edwards.
Following completion, the high-quality digitised treasures will join the 100,000 other documents available for access on the institute's free website, with fully searchable transcriptions of notes and correspondence providing an incredible resource for academics and teachers alike.
What are you waiting for?
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Here's a brief reminder of what's on offer:
- £3,000 x 3 grants
- £500 added to a 'Match Funding Pot' per application received
- Up to £1,000 in match funding can be claimed per applicant
Remember, the Match Funding Pot has returned once again, offering all eligible applicants the chance to claim up to £1,000 in match funding to put towards their digitisation project. But, be warned, when it's gone, it's gone!
So what are you waiting for? You’re only three simple steps away from potentially becoming one of this year’s three lucky winners!
All you have to do is:
- Start an application or return to your existing application if you’ve already started one
- Use the available resources to help you complete your application
- Submit by the deadline on 26th July 2024 at 11.59pm
It's not too late to get that application in!
Visit our TWA Digitisation Grant page to download your application today and access all the resources you will ever need to get started AND finished!
All completed applications should be submitted by 11.59pm (BST) on 26th July 2024 and the winners will be announced at the ARA Annual Conference on the 29th of August. Could one of them be you?
Good luck and best wishes from all of us at TownsWeb Archiving!
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