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Paul-Emile BottaFrench archaeologist and diplomat
Date of Birth: 06.12.1802
Country:  Italy |
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Biography of Paul-Emile Botta
Paul-Emile Botta was a French archaeologist and diplomat. He was born on December 6, 1802, in Turin, Italy. Botta, the son of Carlo Botta, received a medical education and traveled extensively. In 1830, he served as a physician to the Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali and accompanied him on a campaign against the Turkish Sultan in Syria. During this time, Botta collected a valuable zoological collection.
Archaeological Excavations and Discoveries
In 1833, Botta was appointed as the French consul in Alexandria. In 1842, he was transferred to Mosul. It was during his time in Mosul that Botta became interested in archaeology. In 1843, he began excavations in the area of Khorsabad, near Mosul. It was here that he discovered the ruins of the Assyrian city of Dur-Sharrukin, along with the palace of King Sargon II. Initially, Botta mistakenly believed these ruins to be the remains of Nineveh (which was actually located on the opposite, left bank of the Tigris river). The statues of winged bulls with human heads that he found at the site are now housed in the Assyrian collection at the Louvre.
In 1845 to 1851, further excavations on the opposite bank were carried out by Austen Henry Layard, who discovered the actual site of Nineveh. Botta's contributions to Assyrian archaeology also included work on cuneiform inscriptions. He published two significant works: "Inscriptions discovered in Khorsabad" (1848) and "Monument of Nineveh" (1849-1850). The latter work, composed of one volume of Botta's own text and four volumes of illustrations by the French government-appointed artist Eugene Napoleon Flandin, is considered the first significant work in the field of Assyrian archaeology.
Diplomatic Career
In addition to his archaeological work, Botta had a distinguished diplomatic career. From 1847 to 1857, he served as the French consul general in Jerusalem. His tenure in Jerusalem allowed him to further explore and document the region's historical sites.
Paul-Emile Botta's contributions to both archaeology and diplomacy have left a lasting impact. His discoveries at Khorsabad and his publications on Assyrian archaeology have greatly enriched our understanding of ancient Mesopotamia.
