1888 in archaeology

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The year 1888 in archaeology involved some significant events.

Explorations

• Chaco Canyon is surveyed and photographed by Victor and Cosmos Mindeleff of the Bureau of American Ethnology.
• Heinrich Schliemann attempts to locate the tomb of Alexander the Great in Alexandria, but is denied permission to excavate.

Excavations

• May 22 - Augustus Pitt Rivers begins excavation of Bokerly Dyke.
• Excavations of Nippur sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania begin (continues through 1900).
• Excavations of the Cadmea (Καδμεία, citadel) in Thebes, Greece, by the German Archaeological Institute at Athens begin.
• Carl Humann directs new excavations in Sam'al and a trial excavation in Tralles (modern Aydin).

Finds

• December 18: Discovery of three villages by Richard Wetherill and his brother-in-law Charlie Mason while tracking stray cattle: Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House, and Square Tower House; now part of Mesa Verde National Park.
• Llantwit Major Roman Villa.
• The Mourning Athena relief is found near the Acropolis of Athens.

Publications

• American Anthropologist journal is founded.

Miscellaneous

• January 13 - National Geographic Society formed in the United States.

Births

• February 1: Gertrude Caton Thompson, English archaeologist of Africa (died 1985)
• August 16: T. E. Lawrence, British archaeologist of the Middle East, military officer, diplomat and author (d. 1935)

Deaths

• March 10 - Lucy Wright Mitchell, American archaeologist (b. 1845)