Editing V. Gordon Childe (section)

===University in Sydney and Oxford: 1911–1917===

Childe studied for a degree in [[classics]] at the University of Sydney in 1911; although focusing on written sources, he first came across [[classical archaeology]] through the work of the archaeologists [[Heinrich Schliemann]] and [[Arthur Evans]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=9}} At university, he became an active member of the [[debating society]], at one point arguing that "socialism is desirable". Increasingly interested in socialism, he read the works of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels]], as well as those of the philosopher [[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel|G. W. F. Hegel]], whose [[dialectics]] heavily influenced [[Marxist theory]].{{sfn|Green|1981|p=10}} At university, he became a great friend of fellow undergraduate and future judge and politician [[Herbert Vere Evatt]], with whom he remained in lifelong contact.{{sfn|Mulvaney|1994|p=56}} Ending his studies in 1913, Childe graduated the following year with various honours and prizes, including Professor [[Francis Anderson (philosopher)|Francis Anderson]]'s prize for philosophy.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=9, 32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=9–11}}
{{Quote box|width=25em|align=left|quote="My Oxford training was in the Classical tradition to which bronzes, terracottas and pottery (at least if painted) were respectable while stone and bone tools were [[banausos|banausic]]." |salign = right |source=— Gordon Childe, 1957.{{sfn|Childe|1958|p=69}}}}

Wishing to continue his education, he gained a £200 Cooper Graduate Scholarship in Classics, allowing him to pay the tuition fees at [[The Queen's College, Oxford|Queen's College]], part of the [[University of Oxford]], England. He set sail for Britain aboard the [[SS Orsova (1908)|SS ''Orsova'']] in August 1914, shortly after the outbreak of [[World War I]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=12–13|3a1=Champion|3y=2009|3pp=12–13, 19–20}} At Queen's, Childe was entered for a diploma in classical archaeology followed by a [[Literae Humaniores]] degree, although he never completed the former.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=9|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=14–15|3a1=Champion|3y=2009|3p=20}} While there, he studied under [[John Beazley]] and Arthur Evans, the latter being Childe's supervisor.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=9|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=14–15}} In 1915, he published his first [[academic paper]], "On the Date and Origin of [[Minyan ware|Minyan Ware]]", in the ''[[Journal of Hellenic Studies]]'', and the following year produced his B.Litt. thesis, "The Influence of Indo-Europeans in Prehistoric Greece", displaying his interest in combining philological and archaeological evidence.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=17–18|3a1=Champion|3y=2009|3pp=20, 21}}

At Oxford he became actively involved with the socialist movement, antagonising the conservative university authorities. Becoming a noted member of the left-wing [[reformism|reformist]] Oxford University Fabian Society, he was there in 1915 when it changed its name to the Oxford University Socialist Society, following a split from the [[Fabian Society]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=9, 33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=18–19}} His best friend and flatmate was [[Rajani Palme Dutt]], a fervent socialist and Marxist. The pair often got drunk and tested each other's knowledge about classical history late at night.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=21–22}} With Britain in the midst of World War I, many British-based socialists refused to enlist in the military despite the [[Recruitment to the British Army during the First World War#Conscription|government-mandated conscription]]. They believed the ruling classes of Europe's [[Imperialism|imperialist]] nations were waging the war for their own interests at the expense of the working classes; these socialists thought [[class conflict|class war]] was the only conflict they should be concerned with. Dutt was imprisoned for refusing to fight, and Childe campaigned for the release of both him and other socialists and pacifist [[conscientious objectors]]. Childe was never required to enlist in the military, most likely due to his poor health and eyesight.{{sfnm|1a1=Green|1y=1981|1pp=22–24|2a1=Champion|2y=2009|2pp=26–27}} His anti-war sentiments concerned the authorities; the intelligence agency [[MI5]] opening a file on him, his mail was intercepted, and he was kept under observation.{{sfn|Champion|2009|pp=27–28}}