Proskouriakoff, Tatiana (Avenirovna) (1909-1985)

Russian-born US archaeologist and illustrator who became a pioneer scholar of Maya culture, making outstanding contributions on Maya hieroglyphics and monuments. She held posts at the Carnegie Institution in 1939 and Harvard's Peabody Museum 1958-77. She won the 1962 Kidder Medal.

She was born in Tomsk and emigrated to the USA as a child. She trained as an architect, and started her career as an archaeological illustrator.