A Life of Discovery and Wonder

Barbara Harrisson (1922–2015) was an extraordinary woman and a distinguished scholar whose work spanned archaeology, ethnography, primatology, and ceramic studies. Born in Germany, she later married an English museum curator in Sarawak, where she became deeply involved in a wide range of research projects. Harrisson also became committed to the protection and rehabilitation of juvenile orangutans. Her discovery of the oldest known remains of Homo sapiens in Southeast Asia during an excavation was a significant milestone. The recovery of shards of Chinese porcelain from derelict caves during this period triggered her enduring interest in ceramics.

Following periods of university study and teaching in the United States and Australia, Harrisson was appointed director of the Princessehof Museum in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. During her tenure, she produced numerous influential publications on Asian export ceramics. These were widely regarded as pioneering, and firmly established her reputation as one of the leading specialists in the field.

After her retirement, Harrisson remained in Friesland, where she continued her research. As an independent scholar she was a role model for many female students and colleagues worldwide. This autobiography offers a rare and personal insight into a life marked by intellectual curiosity, scholarly dedication, and adventurous fieldwork.