Barbara Hurman's Legacy Lives On as a Pioneering Archaeologist
At the ripe age of 100, Barbara Hurman, a trailblazing archaeologist, has left an indelible mark on the world of antiquarian studies. Her remarkable life was marked by a passion for unearthing the secrets of the past, coupled with an unwavering dedication to her craft.
Hurman's academic journey began in earnest during her 70s, when she completed four summer seasons as finds supervisor and ceramic analyst on Nottingham University's excavation of the Roman site at Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. This marked a turning point in her career, solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in her field.
Prior to this, Hurman had worked extensively with various institutions, including the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society and the local Bucks Museum. She had also volunteered on numerous excavations, organized volunteer sessions, and even taught evening classes. Her tireless enthusiasm for archaeology earned her recognition within the academic community, and she went on to co-author a book, "Pots, Potters and Potteries of Buckinghamshire," with Michael Farley.
Hurman's storied past extends far beyond her professional achievements. Born in 1923 to an engineering clerk father and housewife mother, she was raised in the Cumbrian coastal village of Silecroft before leaving school at 16 to pursue a secretarial career. When World War II broke out, Hurman joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a teleprinter operator, eventually rising through the ranks to sergeant.
After demobilization, Hurman married Gordon Hurman, whom she met while working in Egypt for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. The family later returned to the UK, where Barbara could finally pursue her passion for archaeology.
In her 90s, Hurman became an advocate for recognizing the contributions of servicewomen during World War II, sharing her experiences with various news outlets and even giving a reading at Westminster Abbey in 2015. Her remarkable story caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth II, who invited her to an official reception at Buckingham Palace.
Hurman is survived by three children, David, Susan, and her writer – this reporter – as well as three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. As news of her passing spreads, Hurman's legacy serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication in pursuit of one's passions.
At the ripe age of 100, Barbara Hurman, a trailblazing archaeologist, has left an indelible mark on the world of antiquarian studies. Her remarkable life was marked by a passion for unearthing the secrets of the past, coupled with an unwavering dedication to her craft.
Hurman's academic journey began in earnest during her 70s, when she completed four summer seasons as finds supervisor and ceramic analyst on Nottingham University's excavation of the Roman site at Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. This marked a turning point in her career, solidifying her reputation as a leading expert in her field.
Prior to this, Hurman had worked extensively with various institutions, including the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society and the local Bucks Museum. She had also volunteered on numerous excavations, organized volunteer sessions, and even taught evening classes. Her tireless enthusiasm for archaeology earned her recognition within the academic community, and she went on to co-author a book, "Pots, Potters and Potteries of Buckinghamshire," with Michael Farley.
Hurman's storied past extends far beyond her professional achievements. Born in 1923 to an engineering clerk father and housewife mother, she was raised in the Cumbrian coastal village of Silecroft before leaving school at 16 to pursue a secretarial career. When World War II broke out, Hurman joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a teleprinter operator, eventually rising through the ranks to sergeant.
After demobilization, Hurman married Gordon Hurman, whom she met while working in Egypt for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. The family later returned to the UK, where Barbara could finally pursue her passion for archaeology.
In her 90s, Hurman became an advocate for recognizing the contributions of servicewomen during World War II, sharing her experiences with various news outlets and even giving a reading at Westminster Abbey in 2015. Her remarkable story caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth II, who invited her to an official reception at Buckingham Palace.
Hurman is survived by three children, David, Susan, and her writer – this reporter – as well as three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. As news of her passing spreads, Hurman's legacy serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication in pursuit of one's passions.
100 is old but she was still kicking and loving archaeology like it was her job 
. You know what they say about people living longer than their careers, well that girl proved them wrong 
! And I love how she didn't just stop at digs, she also worked with museums, taught classes, even got to share her story in a major place like Westminster Abbey 
. She was definitely not your average granny 
. It's amazing what people can do when they're passionate about something and have the drive to pursue it no matter what. Barbara Hurman will be deeply missed but her legacy will live on, inspiring others to follow their dreams 
. I love how she didn't give up on her passion even when life got tough, like joining the ATS during WWII - that's some serious courage 
.
I'm actually kinda sad she passed away... I mean, 100 is still pretty young for someone, right? 
But at the same time, I don't know if I'd want to live that long and deal with all those wrinkles 
. Like, can you imagine trying to teach evening classes or excavating sites when your hands are all wrinkly and whatnot? 
And what about all the other archaeologists who were working behind the scenes while she was off raising a family and stuff? 
. 100 years old is crazy! She didn't start doing what she loved until her 70s though, that takes determination 
. And can you imagine having a family member who's also your writer 
? Anyway, Barbara Hurman lived a life full of passion and purpose, and we should all take note of her example 
.
I mean, 100 years old is still pretty young for someone who's making a name for themselves in their field, right? 
still can't believe Barbara Hurman lived to be 100! I mean, that's just incredible. She was like a legend in archaeology and it's amazing how she got started so late in life but made up for it with her enthusiasm and hard work. 
I feel like we're losing some of our most talented people to old age and it's sad. But at the same time, her legacy is going to live on through all the people she inspired and taught. 
She was truly a trailblazer in more ways than one! 
another centenarian bites the dust 
she was 100 
what's up with all these old folks living forever lol 
i guess you could say she left a mark on the world of archaeology 
what's gonna happen now? will we ever find out the secrets of the past? probably not, but someone else will try 
i went there with my friends last wknd and it was literally life changing they have these amazing plant-based burgers and milkshakes that are soooo good 
i'm totally hooked now btw what's the deal with old ppl being famous archaeologists isnt that kinda weird? anyway barbara hurman was 100!! can u even imagine having that many years to study archaeology 
I mean, who wouldn't want to spend their life unearthing secrets from ancient civilizations? Her story is a total reminder that you're never too old (or young) to chase your dreams. And can we talk about her World War II stint? 
Who knew being a teleprinter operator could be so cool?
. I don’t know about you guys but Barbara Hurman is definitely someone I'm going to look up to from now on 
. Anyway, I'm gonna miss reading about her adventures on the web 
.
, what an epic journey she had! From ATS to archaeology, woman bossing it all for decades 
. barbara hurman's life is truly inspiring - from joining the auxiliary territorial service during WWII to becoming an expert in archaeology later on in life. it just goes to show that age is just a number and that with passion and dedication, anything is possible 
.