Sir, – Dr Pat Wallace, in reference to Adolf Mahr and the recent RTÉ/BBC television documentary Ardal O’Hanlon: Tomb Raider, states that “His life has been well researched by several scholars who might have provided balance and context to this most unhistorical offering.” (Letters, May 30th)
However, Dr Wallace does not name these scholars. I have researched Adolf Mahr and the Harvard Mission and published my findings in The Quest for the Irish Celt: The Harvard Archaeological Mission to Ireland 1932-1936 (Irish Academic Press), a book which Dr Wallace himself launched. I acted as one of the historical consultants for this film. It is not possible to include every aspect of a subject in this medium and programme makers have to be selective in order to create a coherent narrative.
I note that Dr Wallace does not actually point out historical inaccuracies in the film. The programme focuses on racial politics and identity and this is an unpalatable subject and can make for uncomfortable viewing.
Mahr’s politics influenced his archaeology and this was the case for many archaeologists across Europe during the 1930s.
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Mahr was not allowed to return to Ireland after the second World War to resume his position as director of the National Museum because of his Nazi politics.
Incidentally, it was Eoin MacNeill who was responsible for influencing the Harvard Mission to come to Ireland.
The film, however, makes clear that Mahr was instrumental in choosing sites for excavation by the Harvard Mission.
– Yours, etc,
Dr MAIRÉAD CAREW,
Historian,
Beaumont,
Dublin 9.