Tessa Wheeler

Tessa Verney Wheeler (27 March 1893 – 15 April 1936) was an archaeologist who made a significant contribution to excavation techniques and contributed to the setting up of major British archaeological institutions after World War II. Due to the gender politics of her era, she remains best known as the wife and professional partner of Mortimer Wheeler. They collaborated on major excavations in Wales and England – including Segontium, Caerleon and Verulamium – and their investigation of Maiden Castle in Dorset had been running for two years when she died unexpectedly from complications following a minor operation.

Tessa Verney was born in Johannesburg, the daughter of a doctor. She had an elder half-brother from her mother's first marriage. The family moved to Lewisham, with her mother's third husband, a chemist. She was educated at Addey and Stanhope School in Deptford, and read history at University College London from 1911 to 1914. She met her future husband Mortimer Wheeler in 1912, and they were married in May 1914. He served in the artillery in the First World War, initially as an instructor in the University of London Officers' Training Corps, and later at other places in Scotland and England. She accompanied Mortimer on his postings until he was sent to France in 1917. Their only child, a son Michael, was born in January 1915. Michael later became a barrister and judge.

Tessa followed Mortimer to Cardiff in 1920 when he took up a post at the National Museum of Wales. He was Director of the National Museum of Wales from 1924 to 1926. They undertook excavations together at Segontium in 1921–22 and at Gaer in 1924–25, working as a team. Tessa organised the excavations and recorded the finds, and Mortimer interpreted the results. They were preparing an excavation at Caerleon in 1926 when Mortimer was appointed Keeper of the London Museum. The family moved to London, but Tessa undertook the excavation on her own in the winter of 1926–27.

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