Barbara Hurman, an esteemed archaeologist known for her meticulous work in identifying and illustrating archaeological finds, has passed away at the remarkable age of 100. Her career blossomed later in life, after she had raised her family, leading to significant contributions across various excavations and academic circles.
Archaeological Career and Contributions
Barbara specialised in the detailed illustration and analysis of items unearthed during digs, a crucial aspect of archaeological research. She lent her expertise to numerous prestigious organisations, including the Buckinghamshire County Museum, Milton Keynes Archaeological Unit, the Department of the Environment, and the Museum of London. In her late 70s, she demonstrated her enduring passion by completing four summer seasons as the finds supervisor and ceramic analyst on Nottingham University's excavation of the Roman site at Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.
Academic and Editorial Work
Beyond fieldwork, Barbara played a pivotal role in the academic community. She helped establish the Association of Archaeological Illustrators and Surveyors, serving as a technical paper editor for the group. Additionally, she worked as an assistant editor for the Medieval Later Pottery Research Group's Guide to the Classification of Medieval Ceramic Forms. Her scholarly output included contributions to papers for the Bucks Archaeological Society and co-authoring the 2019 book Pots, Potters and Potteries of Buckinghamshire with Michael Farley.
Early Life and Wartime Service
Born a twin in Thornton Heath, south London, Barbara moved with her family to the Cumbrian coastal village of Silecroft during her childhood. After leaving school at 16 and attending secretarial college, she enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and later the Royal Corps of Signals during World War II. As a teleprinter operator, she was stationed at Fort Widley in Portsmouth during the D-day operations and served in Italy in locations such as Caserta, Naples, and Padua. She was demobbed in 1947, having achieved the rank of sergeant.
Post-War Life and Archaeological Pursuits
Following the war, Barbara worked as a secretary for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in Egypt, where she met her future husband, Gordon Hurman. They married in 1950 at the British Consulate in Suez, and it was during her time in Egypt that she developed a deep fascination with the ancient world. After returning to the UK in 1970 for Gordon's job in Buckinghamshire, Barbara began volunteering on archaeological excavations once her family responsibilities had eased.
She embarked on an intensive period of study with the Universities of London, Oxford, and Keele, forging long-standing associations with the Bucks Archaeological Society and the local County Museum. Her activities included invigilating, working on digs, organising volunteers, running evening classes, and delivering talks to local societies.
Later Years and Recognition
In her 90s, Barbara reconnected with her wartime roots by engaging with the Royal British Legion to highlight the contributions of servicewomen during WWII. This led to interviews with various news outlets and a reading at Westminster Abbey in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day. She later met Queen Elizabeth II, a contemporary from her ATS days, while helping to launch the Together at Christmas initiative. At 99, she was honoured as one of a select group of WWII veterans invited to an official reception at Buckingham Palace for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Personal Life and Legacy
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, who died in 2009, and her twin sister, Edna, who passed away in 2018. She is survived by her three children, David, Susan, and the author of this obituary, along with three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her life story is a testament to resilience, lifelong learning, and the pursuit of passion at any age.
