It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Janice Stargardt, Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Professorial Research Fellow in Asian Historical Archaeology and Geography (Department of Geography), and Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
Professor Stargardt was a leading expert on the historical geography and archaeology of South and South-East Asia, focusing on the transition of societies from Iron Age villages to complex, literate and urbanised societies. Her fieldwork focused on sites in India, Thailand and most recently Myanmar, where she directed excavations at the early Pyu site of Sri Ksetra.
In 2012-13, Janice worked as UNESCO Consultant with the Department of Archaeology of Burma, as co-author and general editor of the Nomination Dossier to the World Heritage Organisation for three ancient Pyu cities to be inscribed on its list of sites of Outstanding Universal Value. In 2014, she attended the World Heritage Committee Conference and was instrumental in having the Pyu Ancient Cities inscribed on the List of World Heritage Sites.
Professor Cyprian Broodbank said, “Janice was a much respected and cherished long-term member of our community and a tireless, generous and leading promoter of the archaeology and archaeologists of Myanmar to the world. She will be deeply missed by all of us. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”
A memorial service for Prof Stargardt will take place at 2pm on Saturday 8 February in the College Chapel at Sidney Sussex, Cambridge, to be followed by refreshments in Hall. All are welcome to attend.
