Cyrene Papers: The Final Report. Richard Norton's Exploration of the Northern Necropolis of Cyrene (24 October 1910 – 4 May 1911): From Archives to Archaeological Contexts

Richard Norton's 1910–1911 excavation of Cyrene's Northern Necropolis, the first officially sanctioned archaeological mission at the site, offers critical insights into funerary practices and artifact typology from the late Classical period to the second century AD. The study, based on archival documents including reports, photographs, and sketches housed in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, reveals that tombs were successively reused from the late Hellenistic period onward, a practice not previously documented for Cyrene. Additionally, it provides a detailed typological range of artifacts selected for funerary rituals, primarily during the Hellenistic era. The excavation sheds light on the history of necropolis exploration while addressing the challenges posed by looting and reuse, which have left many tombs in ruinous condition.

Santucci, A., & Uhlenbrock, J. P. (2013). Cyrene Papers: The Final Report. Richard Norton’s Exploration of the Northern Necropolis of Cyrene (24 October 1910 – 4 May 1911): From Archives to Archaeological Contexts. Libyan Studies, 44, 9–55. https://doi.org/10.1017/s026371890000964x