Draft:Alan Stirling Hall

Alan Stirling Hall (1931–1986) was a distinguished British archaeologist and philologist of Scottish descent. , known for his contributions to the study of ancient civilizations and artifacts, particularly in the Anatolian region. His work has illuminated the world of Roman inscriptions and fragments.

Early Life and Education
Born in Pakistan in 1931, Hall grew up with an interest in archaeology. He pursued his higher education at the University of Aberdeen and later continued his academic journey at Oxford University, where he specialized in Literae Humaniores and completed his studies in 1956. His educational foundation paved the way for his career in archaeology.

Academic Career
Hall's professional journey included lectures at Keele University from 1956 to 1971, and he also engaged with the academic community at the University of Pennsylvania during 1968–1969. In 1981, he briefly joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins University as a visiting professor. Besides his academic pursuits, Hall was an active participant in left-wing politics and contributed to the Left-Wing Review. He and his wife embraced parenthood through the adoption of two children.

Research Focus and Achievements
Hall's research was predominantly centered on the Near East, with a specific focus on uncovering remnants of Greco-Roman influence in Anatolia. He extensively collaborated on various research projects, authoring extended beyond academic papers, encompassing conference speeches, journal articles, and reports on excavations conducted in Turkey. Thanks to Hall's expertise in epigraphy, along with his academic career, Hall participated in various research projects and wrote many publications on the early Greco-Roman manuscripts in Anatolia which are mostly published in Anatolian Studies.

Archaeological Work in Turkey
Hall's involvement in Turkish archaeology began in the 1950s, marked by his participation in The Survey of the Roman Roads of Lycaonia, led by Michael Ballance. From 1957 to 1960, he collaborated on epigraphical topographical surveys in the Kony a Plain alongside David French and James Mellaart. This collaboration resulted in significant findings, notably the discovery of the ancient city of Misthea at Beyşenir.

He later took part in the Aşvan Project, an initiative launched in 1968 and concluded in the early 1970s. The project aimed to rescue historical artifacts, decipher occupation sequences, uncover architectural structures, and contextualize excavated findings.

Around 1974, He involved Oenoanda Survey as a project director along with Martin Smith and worked on inscriptions within the Oenoanda with a specific purpose to reveal philosophical inscriptions of Diogenes of the city. He also co-founded the "MAMA Revision" project with David French, focused on producing Regional Epigraphic Catalogues of Asia Minor (RECAM), aimed at cataloging inscriptions housed in Turkish museums.

Hall's involvement in the Kibyratis Epigraphy Project as a director, aimed at collecting and compiling inscriptions in the Kibyratis region, was cut short by his untimely death in 1986. Despite his passing, his legacy lived on through the establishment of the Alan Hall Memorial Fund and the preservation of his works in digital form by the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA).

Legacy and Contributions
Alan Stirling Hall was celebrated for his kindness, wisdom, and support for young scholars. His sudden demise was mourned by the academic community. Hall's expansive ambitions in Anatolian epigraphy, visionary approach, organizational skills, and dedication inspired numerous projects that have enriched the field of archaeology. His attention to evidence without losing sight of the broader context continues to influence scholars today

The Alan Hall Memorial Fund and the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA) have preserved Hall's legacy through digital collections and ongoing scholarly engagement. The Allan Hall Photography collection, which includes images related to sites like Oenoanda and Alahan, stands as a testament to his contributions. Mrs. G. Hall's donation of Hall's Nachlas s, including squeezes, photographs, notes, and plans, facilitated further research by N.P. Milner on the Oenoanda archive of inscription.