Excavation work in the theatre of Ephesus led John Turtle Wood to uncover a Greek inscription in February 1866, revealing the procession route of statuettes from the temple to the city. This discovery provided the critical evidence needed to locate the long-lost Temple of Artemis, which he eventually found buried under twenty feet of sand in 1869.
Professional Beginnings
Born in Hackney, London, in 1821 to John Wood and Elizabeth Turtle, John Turtle Wood completed his education at Rossall School in Fleetwood. He subsequently focused his architectural studies under private tutors in Cambridge and Venice. Between 1853 and 1858, he maintained a private architectural practice in London. In 1853, he married his cousin, Henrietta Elizabeth Wood.
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In 1858, Wood accepted a commission to design railway stations for the Smyrna and Aidin Railway in Turkey. During this period, he developed a significant interest in the location of the Temple of Artemis, a site mentioned in the New Testament but unseen for approximately five centuries. In 1863, he ended his railway obligations to pursue the search. With a permit from the British Museum and a modest expense allowance, he began methodical excavations.
Excavation and Discovery
Following the discovery of the inscription in 1866, Wood identified a paved road leading from the Magnesian gate. By following this path, he located the temple wall and began full-scale clearance of the site. On 31 December 1869, he succeeded in unearthing the temple. Despite the structure being in ruins, he recovered numerous architectural fragments and sculptures, which were subsequently transported to the British Museum.
Later Years and Recognition
Wood endured difficult conditions during his years in Turkey, including illness, earthquakes, and harsh climates, which left his health compromised by 1874. Upon returning to London, he focused on lecturing at the Royal Institution and publishing his findings in "Discoveries at Ephesus." He also created oil paintings, occasionally showing work at the Royal Academy. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1874 and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1875, while receiving a government pension of £200 per annum. He died at his home in Worthing on 25 March 1890.
Fast facts
- Born: 1821, Hackney, London
- Died: 25 March 1890, Worthing
- Education: Rossall School
- Primary discovery: Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
- Date of temple discovery: 31 December 1869
- Professional memberships: RIBA and Society of Antiquaries
- Notable publication: Discoveries at Ephesus (1877)
- Burial site: Christ Church, Worthing
Questions readers ask
What led Wood to the location of the temple?
He discovered a Greek inscription in the Ephesus theatre mentioning statuettes that were carried along a specific path to the temple, which allowed him to track the route.
What happened to the antiquities found at the site?
Wood sent a large quantity of shattered sculptures and architectural items to the British Museum under the terms of his initial permit.
Achievements
- Trained at Rossall School
