Since 1887, the University of Pennsylvania Museum has been one of the leading archaeology and anthropology museums in the world, sponsoring more than 400 expeditions around the globe. A new monthly Wednesday evening series invites the public to dig in and explore eight famous archaeological sites, from Iraq to Guatemala, all excavated by Penn Museum scholars over the last century.
Great Sites of the Ancient World features talks by Penn Museum curators or affiliated researchers, followed by a related gallery tour in the Museum. All programs begin with a lecture at 6:00, followed by a tour or special display in the galleries.
January 7, 2009
The Trojan War- Myth or Fact: Recent Excavations at Troy
Dr. C. Brian Rose, Deputy Director
Renewed excavations at Troy during the past twenty years have focused on a synthetic overview of the nine settlements, from the beginning of the Bronze Age (ca. 3,000 B.C.) through the end of the Byzantine period (ca. 1400 A.D.). An assemblage of gold
jewelry in the Museum's collection, dating to the same period as Schliemann's Treasure, will be on view after the lecture.
February 4
Built of Memory and Hope: The Sacred City of Abydos, Egypt
Dr. Josef Wegner, Associate Curator, Egyptian Section
Abydos was a city that grew from the myths and memories of the earliest origins of Egyptian civilization. Dr. Wegner discusses the archaeology of Abydos, and current research which is contributing to our understanding of this most sacred of ancient Egyptian cities.
March 4
Gordion: 40 Centuries Lost & Found
Dr. Gareth Darbyshire, Gordion Fellow
Gordion had once been one of the great Iron Age capitals of the Near East. Lost to memory for many centuries, it has been rediscovered through a massive program of over 30 seasons of excavation and decades of analysis. This lecture evaluates the key achievements and lacunae in our understanding of the development and decline of Gordion over 4000 years.
April 1
Exploring the Maya Kingdom of Copan
Dr. Loa Traxler, Research Scientist, American Section
The kings of Copan controlled the southeastern region of the Classic Maya world for four centuries (ca. 426 – 822 C.E.). Excavations exploring the capital city have uncovered the
remains of its royal precincts, the lives of its inhabitants, and the history of its Classic dynasty. New discoveries continue to build the story of Copan’s past and to shape Honduras’ future.
May 6
Erasing a City: The Day Life Stopped at Hasanlu Tepe, Iran in 800 B.C.
Dr. Michael Danti, Research Associate
Around 800 B.C., life at Hasanlu ended abruptly when enemy invaders sacked and burned the city, leaving a brutal testament to the realities of ancient warfare alluded to in ancient textual sources and a veritable Pompeii for the archaeologists of the Penn Museum who excavated the site from 1956–1977.
June 3
Tikal: Changing Views of Ancient Maya Urbanism
Dr. Jeremy A. Sabloff, Curator, American Section
The Penn Museum Tikal Project helped shatter traditional views, and other earlier perspectives on Maya civilization. More recent research at the site has continued to provide important new insights into ancient Maya urbanism. This talk considers the major contributions of the Tikal Project and the current scholarly understandings of this great Maya city. -- www.museum.upenn.edu
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
