R Campbell Thompson

Reginald Campbell Thompson was a British archaeologist, Assyriologist, and cuneiform scholar who conducted significant excavations at sites such as Nineveh and Ur. Born in 1876, he received his education in oriental languages at Cambridge. His career included a period as an assistant at the British Museum and later academic positions, including a fellowship at Merton College, Oxford, and the Shillito Readership in Assyriology.

Thompson's research delved into ancient Mesopotamian cultures, particularly their magical, astrological, and medical practices, as evidenced by his numerous publications. He played a role in protecting antiquities during the First World War in Mesopotamia and was known to have invited notable figures like Agatha Christie to his excavation sites. He died in 1941 while serving in the Home Guard, losing his life during a patrol on the River Thames.

Reginald Campbell Thompson was a prominent figure in early 20th-century archaeology, focusing his efforts on Mesopotamian sites. He led excavations at significant locations including Nineveh, Ur, Nebo, and Carchemish. A notable discovery occurred in 1904 when he unearthed the remains of the temple of Nabu at Nineveh. His work involved meticulous study of artifacts, including pottery, which led him to recruit T.E. Lawrence as a pottery expert for a dig in Mesopotamia in 1910. During the First World War, Thompson served in the Intelligence Service in Mesopotamia, where his expertise was leveraged to protect ancient sites. He also undertook investigations at Shahrain and the mounds of Tell al-Lahm. His post-war academic career included a fellowship at Merton College, Oxford, and a readership in Assyriology, allowing him to continue his scholarly pursuits.

Thompson's academic work significantly contributed to the understanding of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, particularly their divinatory, magical, and medical traditions. He authored several key texts based on cuneiform tablets, including 'The Reports of the Magicians and Astrologers of Nineveh and Babylon,' 'The Devils and Evil Spirits of Babylonia,' and 'Semitic Magic: its Origins and Development.' His research explored the practical applications of magic and astrology in Babylonian and Assyrian society, examining their role in daily life and governance. His later works, such as 'Assyrian Medical Texts' and 'The Assyrian Herbal,' further illuminated the sophisticated knowledge systems of these ancient cultures. His dedication to deciphering and translating these texts provided invaluable insights into the worldview and occult practices of the time.

Reginald Campbell Thompson married Barbara Brodrick Robinson in 1911, and they had three children. His wife actively participated in his archaeological work, accompanying him during excavations at Nineveh. Thompson's life was marked by service; he served in Mesopotamia during WWI and later in the Home Guard. Tragically, he died in 1941 while on duty with the Home Guard during a patrol on the River Thames. His obituary in The Times highlighted his robust physical nature and outdoor pursuits, noting his enjoyment of sailing and his connection to the Norfolk Broads. His academic legacy includes a substantial bibliography of works on Assyriology and Mesopotamian culture, with his films of excavations at Nineveh being digitized in 2016, preserving visual records of his fieldwork.