1859 in archaeology

Excavations

• February – Excavation of Viroconium Cornoviorum under Thomas Wright begins.
• Excavation of Nydam Mose in Denmark under Conrad Engelhardt begins.
• Excavation of Camirus on Rhodes under Alfred Biliotti begins.

Finds

• Great Eleusinian Relief in Eleusis, Greece.
• Vigna Randanini Jewish catacombs in Rome.

Publications

• J. M. García publishes an account of Monte Albán.
• Charles Roach Smith — Illustrations of Roman London.

Miscellaneous

• 26 May & 2 June – Geologist Joseph Prestwich and amateur archaeologist John Evans report the results of their investigations of gravel-pits in the Somme valley and elsewhere, extending human history back to what will become known as the Paleolithic Era.
• Imperial Archaeological Commission founded in Saint Petersburg.
• Royal Geographical Society is given a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria.

Deaths

• 6 May: Alexander von Humboldt, explorer, writer