Dr Norah Moloney 1945-2018

Norah’s many research interests included a passion for stone tools and archaeological fieldwork. She undertook extensive fieldwork throughout her career, including excavation and analysis of Early Stone Age sites in East Africa, Acheulean and Magdalenian sites in Europe, and Middle Palaeolithic sites in Central Asia, the Near East and Egypt.

Norah became even more active once she retired, and never missed an invitation to join an excavation, be it in Belize, Spain, Egypt, Tanzania, Italy, and many more. And such invitations to participate in fieldwork were plenty, because everyone wanted Norah on their projects. There was no better field companion than Norah, who was invariably optimistic, always the first to get ready for work, the last to go to bed after a party, and always busy looking after everyone among the field crew. One of Norah’s strongest talents was making everyone feel taken care of; having her on your excavation was the best insurance you could ever get.

Norah’s mark at the Institute is indelible - her office door was permanently open for students and colleagues alike. More than twenty cohorts of first-year students were lucky enough to have Norah to guide, motivate and inspire them. It didn’t make any difference when she retired, she continued spending countless hours helping graduate students with their research in the most altruistic and generous manner.

Norah was also truly a beloved colleague for so many of us at the Institute, who treasured her optimism, sense of humour, generosity and collegiality. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be mentored by Norah, and able to enjoy her friendship, will never forget her as one of the kindest people you could ever meet.

- Prof Ignacio de la Torre

Her colleagues and friends at the UCL Institute of Archaeology would like to establish a student award in Norah's name - and thus we are coming to you as colleagues, alumni and friends to make this happen.

Norah (far right) on fieldwork in Spain 2007 (photo: Ignacio de la Torre)

Norah 2011

Norah in Turkey with colleague Andrew Garrard 1996

Norah and colleagues from UCL in the Dordogne 2007