Below are notable events in archaeology that occurred in 1861.
Explorations First scientific investigations of Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar. British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham identifies the ancient city of Vaishali with the present-day village of Basrah in Bihar.
Excavations June - First modern excavation of the Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave of Maeshowe on Orkney by James Farrer. Excavation of Long Hole Cave in Glamorgan reveals prehistoric flint artefacts. Excavation of Umm al-Amad, Lebanon, by Ernest Renan, abandoned when he finds that the ruins are only about two thousand years old.Mission de Phénicie. Excavation of Vergina by Leon Heuzey. Publications Edward Burnett Tylor - Anahuac: Or Mexico and the Mexicans, Ancient and Modern.
Events Archaeological Survey of India founded.
Births October 6 - Gaston Cros, French army officer and archaeologist (killed in action 1915) See also List of years in archaeology 1860 in archaeology 1862 in archaeology
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