From Archaeology to Spectacle in Victorian Britain

Prize: Shortlisted for the Historians of British Art Book Prize 2014 (Post-1800) 'This is cultural history at its best with great contemporary relevance. Malley has uncovered fascinating parallels between Britain's excavation, appropriation, and display of Assyrian artifacts in the mid-nineteenth century and recent efforts to justify the invasion of Iraq under the guise of preserving national heritage and Western Civilization. Enhanced by deep readings of exhibitions, museums, theatrical events, and science fiction film, this is a fascinating study of the linkages between archeology, empire, and cultural representation. Jeffrey Auerbach, California State University, Northridge, USA 'Bringing new rigor to museum studies, Malley's study shows how artifacts resonated within and without the gallery walls-in newspapers, popular culture, literary works, and film-and across centuries. The result is an entirely new history of the present, patiently constructed from archival shards and the forgotten fragments of history.' Robert D. Aguirre, Wayne State University '... [an] intriguing, provocative and well-researched book... it will surely be compulsory reading for all those interested in the history of archaeology and museums.' Times Literary Supplement '... the author successfully charts the successful career of a man who, by his excavations and also by his many publications, has undoubtedly increased our knowledge of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia. His career illustrates the general success of English archaeologists in the nineteenth century in the Middle East, especially in competition with French scholars of that same time. That Malley succeeds so well in re-creating the milieu is a tribute to his scholarship and erudition.' Huguenot Society Journal ’...a very stimulating addition to the cultural history of empire in the Middle East and its broad comparatist approach of the re-inventions of Assyria’s past opens promising perspectives.’ Cahiers Vic