Leicester, February 17, 2025 – The University of Leicester will pay tribute to Dame Kathleen Kenyon, a groundbreaking archaeologist, by renaming one of its academic buildings in her honor.
Dame Kathleen Kenyon, known for her work across the United Kingdom, Middle East, and Africa in the 20th century, made significant contributions to the field of archaeology. She led excavations at several ancient sites, including the Jewry Wall Roman baths complex in Leicester during the 1930s.
The university has decided to rename its Schools of Archaeology and Ancient History and Museum Studies to the Dame Kathleen Kenyon Building—marking it as the first academic building on campus named after a woman. The ceremony will take place on Friday, March 7, just one day before International Women's Day.
Professor Henrietta O'Connor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, remarked, "Dame Kathleen Kenyon's work greatly advanced our understanding of Leicester's Roman history, and honoring her this way highlights the impactful research carried out by our Schools of Archaeology and Ancient History and Museum Studies."
Kenyon, who passed away in 1978, is celebrated not only for her contributions in Leicester but also for her work in significant archaeological sites in Libya and Palestine, including Sabratha and Jericho.
