Honor Frost Library
The Honor Frost Library contains books and pamphlets on the subject of underwater archaeology with a particular focus on the Mediterranean Region. It covers the development of the techniques of underwater archaeological investigation, reports on individual wrecks, books on the history and archaeology of harbours of the area, contemporary guidebooks and classical texts. Many of the books have been annotated by Honor Frost and the collection includes publications to which she contributed.
Extent: 756 books and pamphlets, ranging in date from the 19th century to the 21st century.
Location and Access
The Honor Frost Library is part of Special Collections on level 4 of the Hartley Library.
Special Collections Open Access Area - material in this area can be used by members of the University whenever the Hartley Library is open. Access for visitors is between 08.00-22.00 and photo ID is required when signing in at Library Reception. If you are under 18 please contact libenqs@soton.ac.uk with your enquiry.
Archives, Manuscripts and Rare Books Search Room - this is open Tuesday-Thursday 1000-1600. Visits are by prior appointment and all visitors will be required to book their visit and to order their material by 12 noon 1 working day (weekdays) in advance. There is information on how to book an appointment at Visiting Special Collections.
Catalogue
Library Search includes records for all Honor Frost Library books and journals (call number Frost). It enables you to search the Library's printed books, journals and electronic resources at the same time. Access to e-resources is limited to staff and students of the University.
To limit a search to the Honor Frost Library, enter your search terms followed by B8: Frost
By using Advanced Search, you can undertake a more targeted search by selecting search indexes from drop-down lists and by presetting filters for format and date.
See Honor Frost Library for a list of titles.
Borrowing Books
Most Honor Frost Library books in the open access area are available for Standard Loan.
If you have a University I.D./Library Card you can borrow books at the Loans Desk or at the self-issue units on level 2.
Enquiries
For general enquiries about the Honor Frost Library contact: email: archives@soton.ac.uk or tel. 023 80593335
Search Room Bookings: email: archives@soton.ac.uk or tel. 023 80592721
Address: Special Collections, Hartley Library, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ
Reprographics Service
You can request digital photographs of rare books, subject to the age and condition of the item.
See Reprographics Service for a list of the types of copy available and charges.
Collection History
The Honor Frost Library is part of the personal collection of Honor Frost (1917-2010) and was presented to the University of Southampton in 2017 by the Honor Frost Foundation.
A pioneer in the field of underwater archaeology, Honor Frost initially studied art before going on to work for both the Ballet Rambert and the Tate Gallery. Having taken up and developed a passion for diving, she was introduced to the archaeological investigation of wrecks by Frederic Dumas. After working on archaeological plans for Kathleen Kenyon, Honor Frost recognised that underwater archaeology required the application of similar scientific techniques, particularly in terms of record keeping, and these she developed and applied to subsequent investigations. Honor Frost is probably best known for her discovery in 1971 of a Punic shipwreck near Marsala in western Sicily, her investigations of the Pharos site at Alexandria and her research on stone anchors.
The collection also includes a small number of books owned by the modern art collector, Wilfrid Evill, who was Honor Frost's legal guardian.
Frost D 973 FRO
Archive Collections