Thomas Gann was a British archaeologist and explorer who made significant contributions to the field of archaeology in the early 20th century. He was born in 1867 in London, England, and was educated at the University of Cambridge. He began his career as an assistant to the British Museum’s Keeper of Antiquities, and later became the Keeper of Antiquities himself.
Gann’s first major archaeological expedition was to the ancient city of Teotihuacan in Mexico in 1904. He was the first to excavate the site, and his discoveries included the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. He also discovered the remains of a large palace complex, which he named the Palace of the Sun. His work at Teotihuacan was the first major archaeological excavation of a Mesoamerican site.
Gann’s next major expedition was to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico in 1910. He was the first to excavate the site, and his discoveries included the Temple of Kukulkan, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Great Ball Court. He also discovered the remains of a large palace complex, which he named the Palace of the Jaguar. His work at Chichen Itza was the first major archaeological excavation of a Mayan site.
Gann’s next major expedition was to the ancient city of Tikal in Guatemala in 1912. He was the first to excavate the site, and his discoveries included the Temple of the Great Jaguar, the Temple of the Masks, and the Temple of the Inscriptions. He also discovered the remains of a large palace complex, which he named the Palace of the Jaguar. His work at Tikal was the first major archaeological excavation of a Mayan site.
Gann’s final major expedition was to the ancient city of Copan in Honduras in 1915. He was the first to excavate the site, and his discoveries included the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Foliated Cross, and the Temple of the Hieroglyphic Stairway. He also discovered the remains of a large palace complex, which he named the Palace of the Sun. His work at Copan was the first major archaeological excavation of a Mayan site.
Gann’s work at these sites was groundbreaking, and his discoveries revolutionized the field of archaeology. He was the first to uncover the remains of large palace complexes at each of these sites, and his work provided invaluable insight into the lives of the ancient peoples who lived in these cities. His discoveries also helped to shed light on the history and culture of the ancient Maya, and his work is still studied and referenced today.
Gann died in 1923, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of archaeology, and his work has had a lasting impact on the field. His discoveries at Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, Tikal, and Copan are still studied and referenced today, and his work has helped to shape our understanding of the ancient Maya.