John Turtle Wood

John Turtle Wood ( born February 13, 1821 in London, † March 25 1890 in Worthing ) was a British architect, engineer and archaeologist. He was known for his rediscovery and first excavated the temple of Artemis at Ephesus.

Wood began in 1853 to study architecture at Cambridge and Venice, from which he graduated in 1858. In the same year he received the order of the Oriental Railway Company to design in the Ottoman Empire for the railway line from Smyrna to Aydın railway stations. He began to be interested in the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, whose remains were lost for over 500 years in resort. In 1863 he gave his job to devote himself entirely to the search for the former Wonders of the World. He was supported by the British Museum, which got him through the British Ambassador in Constantinople, the Opel Firman and low reimbursement out the prospect. In return, the museum secured the ownership of the finds.

1867 Wood came in the course of his excavations on the Sacred Way, which Ephesus was connected to the Artemision. As a result, he uncovered her until he finally on 31 December 1869, the scant remains of the temple, which were hidden under a meter high sand dune discovered. Some damaged sculptures and architectural elements, he was able to recover and bring to London. 1877 appeared his excavation publication Discoveries at Ephesus, including the site and remains of the Great Temple of Diana, which included a reconstruction sketch of the floor plan of the Artemision. However, the publication disappointed the professional world because of their inaccuracy. 1884 Wood presented a revised version of his plan reconstruction.

Writings

• Discoveries at Ephesus: including the site and remains of the Great Temple of Diana. Longmans, Green, London, 1877. Reprint Olms, Hildesheim, 1975, ISBN 3-487-05482-5.
• Modern discoveries on the site of ancient Ephesus. Religious Tract Society, London, 1890.