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The Inventory: Joann Fletcher

Hester Lacey

‘They said, “Don’t be silly, you can’t be an Egyptologist, you’re from Barnsley”’

©Amr Aboulfath

Joann Fletcher

Joann Fletcher, 49, is based in the department of archaeology at the University of York. She is the author of eight books, including The Search for Nefertiti, and one of the scientists behind the award-winning television documentary Mummifying Alan (2011).

What was your childhood or earliest ambition?

I was smitten with images of ancient Egyptians even before I could read or write — Egyptian art really attracts children. The Tutankhamun exhibition was held when I was six. My mum said, “If you work hard at school, you can be an Egyptologist.” I thought, “Really? That’s a job?”

Public school or state school? University or straight into work?

State school — Barnsley Girls High School, a wonderful school, apart from the careers advice: “Don’t be silly, you can’t be an Egyptologist, you’re from Barnsley.” They advised me to be a teacher or nurse. Then Egyptology and ancient history at University College London. I told them at the interview, “I will keep reapplying every year until you take me on.” For my PhD, the University of Manchester had the mummified remains I wanted to study — I specialised in hair and wigs.

Who was or still is your mentor?

My late mother was a key influence. She always said, “If you want to do it, you can do it.” If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably have thrown in the towel. Dr David Dixon at UCL, also sadly no longer with us — and many who are very much alive and kicking.

How physically fit are you?

Not wildly so. I adore swimming, I dabble in yoga and I’m pretty supple as we have to do interesting things in Egyptology: getting in and out of tombs, going up and down ladders. But I’m not built to be a marathon runner.

Ambition or talent: which matters more to success?

A fair amount of both — and a huge chunk of luck.

Have you ever taken an IQ test?

Never.

Home: Yorkshire coast

How politically committed are you?

I feel strongly on a raft of issues.

Do you consider your carbon footprint?

I’m a great believer in recycling and vintage. Waste drives me crazy.

Do you have more than one home?

Just one, on the Yorkshire coast. I wouldn’t live anywhere else. We came here when I was a child. I even picked out the house and, as luck would have it, it came up for sale.

What would you like to own that you don’t currently possess?

Any night-time scene by Atkinson Grimshaw. And a Shelley signature. He’s my hero — a great poet and a real radical.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

Books.

In what place are you happiest?

Home, either Yorkshire or Egypt.

What ambitions do you still have?

All I ever wanted to be was an Egyptologist — and I am one!

What drives you on?

Finding out more. There is so much more to discover, not just physically, but tuning into that ancient mindset.

What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?

Becoming a mum, no question.

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

The Fletcher coat of arms is arrows, so four black arrows. A silver Egyptian ankh. And a black Maine Coon cat.

What has been your greatest disappointment?

Anyone betraying trust never fails to disappoint me.

If your 20-year-old self could see you now, what would she think?

She’d be open-mouthed.

If you lost everything tomorrow, what would you do?

Start again. It would simply be as if the clock had been reset.

Do you believe in assisted suicide?

Absolutely.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

I have a strong feeling there is something beyond.

If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?

Eleven.

‘The Story of Egypt’ by Joann Fletcher is published by Hodder & Stoughton, £25

Photographs: Amr Aboulfath; Dreamstime