12 Facts About Bridget Allchin

Bridget Allchin was an archaeologist who specialised in South Asian archaeology.

Bridget Allchin published many works, some co-authored with her husband, Raymond Allchin.

Bridget Allchin was born Bridget Gordon, in Oxford on 10 February 1927.

Bridget Allchin was the daughter of Major Stephen Gordon of the Indian Army Medical Service and his wife Elsie.

Bridget Allchin started a degree in History and Ancient History at University College London but, at the end of her first year, left for South Africa when her parents decided to emigrate.

Interested in the culture of neighbouring Basutoland, Bridget Allchin persuaded her parents to let her leave the farm and recommence her studies.

Bridget Allchin subsequently developed links with the Pakistan Geological Survey and played a critical role in initiating collaborations which resulted in a survey of the Potwar Plateau directed by Professor Robin Dennell of the University of Sheffield and Professor Helen Rendell of the University of Sussex to search for Palaeolithic industries during the second phase of the British Archaeological Mission to Pakistan with the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Away from the field, Bridget Allchin held the role of founding Editor of the journal South Asian Studies for over a decade and was Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge.

Bridget Allchin was a founding trustee of the Ancient India and Iran Trust and was its Secretary and chairman, as well as founding member and Secretary General of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists, editing a number of its proceedings.

Bridget Allchin died in Norwich on 27 June 2017 at the age of 90.

Bridget Allchin is survived by her two children, Sushila and William.

Bridget Allchin was awarded the Royal Asiatic Society Gold Medal in 2014 for her leading work in South Asia.