Ann Axtell Morris
Ann Axtell Morris (1900–1945) was an American archaeologist, artist, and author who largely worked in the U.S. southwest and Mexico.[1]
Career
Morris and her husband, Earl Morris, were known to actively conduct archaeological fieldwork together in both the U.S. and Mexico. Some of Ann’s most notable early work was at Chichen Itza, Yucatan, where she and her husband conducted multiple years of excavation.[2]
Along with her husband and other archaeologists, Ann traveled throughout the southwest United States and Mexico with support from the Carnegie Institution to conduct fieldwork in the 1920s and 1930s.[3] She was an important contributor to the task of documenting and reconstructing the Temple of the Warriors in Chichen Itza.[4]
Ann also wrote two books: Digging in Yucatan: Archaeological Explorations in 1924 (1931) and Digging in the Southwest (1933).[2] Her drawings and watercolor paintings documented a number of significant archaeological sites, including Canyon de Chelly and Mesa Verde.
Personal life
Ann Axtell was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 9, 1900. She graduated from Smith College,[5] after which she met archaeologist Earl Morris. The two were married in 1923, and they had two daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Sarah Lane. Elizabeth later went on to get a degree in anthropology from the University of Arizona.[2]
Ann suffered from diabetes and arthritis and x-rays revealed painful spinal tumours. Towards the end of her life she developed alcoholism and depression. These conditions led to her early death at 45.[6]
In media
As Deep as the Grave, previously named Canyon of the Dead, is an upcoming biographical drama film about Morris and her husband, starring Abigail Lawrie and Tom Felton.[7]
Publications
- Digging in Yucatan (1931)
- Digging in the Southwest (1933)
References
- ↑ "Ann Axtell Morris". National Park Service.
- 1 2 3 Claassen, Cheryl (1994). Women in Archaeology. University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 28–29. ISBN 978-0-8122-1509-0.
- ↑ "Lecturer shares insight into documenting ancient art". The Journal. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ↑ Morris, Earl; Morris, Ann; Charlot, Jean. "The Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza, Yucatan" (PDF). Carnegie Institution of Washington. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ↑ "Ann Axtell Morris (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
- ↑ Grant, Richard (September 2021). "In the Land of the Ancient Ones". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ↑ Tangcay, Brent Lang,Jazz (2026-03-18). "Val Kilmer Resurrected by AI to Star in 'As Deep as the Grave' Movie — First Look (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
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Further reading
- Grant. Rochard, In the Land of the Ancient Ones, Smithsonian Magazine (September 2021)
External links
