The ANU Centre for Classical Studies and the Friends of the Classics Museum invite you to a celebration of the life and work of Emeritus Professor Graeme Clarke AO FAHA (1934 – 2023). This event will focus on one of his great achievements, the archaeological excavations of the Hellenistic site of Jebel Khalid on the Euphrates River (1986-2010). Professor Clarke’s colleagues, family and friends will share their knowledge of the site, as well as their memories of Graeme, and of living and working on the excavation teams in Syria.

Although its ancient name remains obscure, the site at Jebel Khalid was a walled fortress town on a high limestone plateau overlooking the Euphrates River in northern Syria. The settlement was founded in the early 3rd century BCE, when the Seleucid emperors were consolidating their hold on territories inherited from Alexander III of Macedon (‘Alexander the Great’). Jebel Khalid was occupied throughout almost all of the Hellenistic era. After what appears to have been a peaceful abandonment during the 70s BCE followed by no further major construction on the site, Jebel Khalid thus presents “the best possible condition for the study of a Seleucid foundation”.

The Australian Mission to Jebel Khalid was a joint venture of the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne.

The event will be chaired by Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney (Curator, ANU Classics Museum), and will include:

• 1-1.05pm: Welcome by Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head, Centre for Classical Studies, ANU)

• 1.05-1.15: Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Minchin (Classical Studies, ANU) – introduction to Professor Clarke’s contribution to Classical Studies

• 1.15-1.25pm: Tom Clarke on behalf of Professor Clarke's Family - memories of Graeme and reflections on the experience of the family working on the excavations

• 1.25 - 2.10pm: Dr John Tidmarsh (Jebel Khalid site co-Director, USyd) – introduction to the site of Jebel Khalid on the Euphrates, and excavations of the Acropolis Palace

• 2.10 -3.``10pm: Afternoon tea in the Classics Museum (a short walk from the Tank to the AD Hope building) – provided by the Friends of the Classics Museum Committee

• 3.10 - 3.30pm: Mr Martin Rowney: contributions of the late Dr Barry Rowney, architect and draftsman of the site maps of Jebel Khalid

• 3.30-4.15pm: Dr Heather Jackson (Jebel Khalid site co-Director, UniMelb) – how the Hellenistic inhabitants of the site lived, and what has happened to the site since 2010

• 4.15 -4:30pm: Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney (Curator, ANU Classics Museum) – Professor Clarke’s contribution to the ANU Classics Museum and the new Graeme Clarke Teaching Collection

The ANU Centre for Classical Studies and the Committee of the Friends of the ANU Classics Museum would like to thank all Friends for their continuing support.