Monday, 17 January 2005

Nick Slope

NELSON IN EGYPT: EXCAVATIONS IN ABOUKIR BAY

In 2005 the nation will be commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson. Led by the National Maritime Museum, 2005 will be a year of events, exhibitions and celebrations of Britain's maritime heritage under the banner of SeaBritain 2005. To help start these commemorations the Anglo Israel Archaeological Society (AIAS) and The Nelson Society have arranged a joint lecture at the British Museum.

Whilst excavating for Pharaonic and Hellenistic structures on a small island in Aboukir Bay, Egypt, Italian Egyptologist Dr Paolo Gallo discovered a lost British cemetery dating from Nelson's time. British archaeologist Nick Slope became involved in rescuing the remains of Nelson's men that are under threat from erosion and illegal excavation. Not only have Nelson's sailors been recovered but also British soldiers, marines, women and children. The excavation has given us new insights into life onboard Nelson's ships and Nick has even managed to identify individuals and trace some of their descendants. Nick will give an illustrated talk about the excavation and the findings. The excavation was the subject of a recent BBC2 documentary Ancestors: Nelson's Forgotten Heroes.

Nick Slope is an independent archaeologist and historian who has excavated extensively in the UK, Israel and Egypt. Nick is Vice Chairman of The Nelson Society and is a committee member of the AIAS.