Archaeology: The Mediterranean

When the Greek philosopher Plato first described an advanced civilization that sank beneath the ocean thousands of years ago, most listeners did not take it seriously. But the story acquired new popularity in the 20th century, and explorers have continually looked for evidence of its existence. Dr. C. Brian Rose, Curator, Mediterranean Section, speaks.

Pergamon and its Maritime Satellite Elaia: New Research on Urban Space and the Territory of a Hellenistic Capital Felix Pirson, Director of the German Archaeological Institute in Istanbul, and director of the Pergamon Excavations The Pergamon-Excavation of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) looks back to a history of more than 130 years reflecting various trends in archaeological research. Currently, the layout of the city as a whole, its relation with the suburban areas and with the territory are major points of interests. Such an approach needs to look far beyond Pergamon itself, but has to include neighbouring cities such as Elaia, which became the main anchorage of the Hellenistic capital. The aim of the paper is to present first results of the new research program and to show how modern field archaeology produces data for spatial approaches currently discussed in the humanities. In this context, a particular focus will be laid on the 2010-excavtions of so-called natural sanctuaries at Pergamon and on the tumuli (gravemounds) of Pergamon. Additionally, the German Pergamon excavation has a long-lasting and outstanding record in conservation projects. The paper will give an impression of our work at the Temple of the Egyptian Gods (The Red Hall) and present the latest results.

This lecture is being given by Dr. Jean MacIntosh Turfa, Rodney Young Fellow in the Mediterranean Section. This talk details an Etruscan book of thunder-omens, translated into English for the first time. This book reveals the dynamic and perilous world that was ancient Etruria, from famine to slave revolts.

The complex palatial society of the island of Crete in the Bronze Age still dazzles us today, but what happened to this society after the palaces fell and before the rise of the Greek city-state (1200-700 BCE)? What was life like in this transitional period? In the eastern part of the island, people fled up into almost inaccessible mountain sites and maintained little contact with the rest of the Aegean, at least in the later part of the period. The lecture will bring together evidence from a variety of recent excavations at Halasmenos, Vasiliki, Knossos, Thronos/Sybrita, and Chania, but will focus on two major sites in eastern Crete: Karphi and Kavousi. The British excavations at Karphi in the 1930's brought to light a large town of this period, and recent study by the author and a new group of British and European scholars are making clearer the nature of that settlement. Excavations at Kavousi have produced three settlements and cemeteries that span the entire period: Vronda, Kastro, and Azoria. Examination of the material from these two sites tells us much about the social structure, political organization, religious beliefs, technology, and burial customs of the people and suggests that while there are differences among the communities, there is also a great deal of homogeneity.

By the 1990s, after more than 40 years of archaeological investigation, the deterioration of the standing ruins at Gordion was hard to ignore. After a government sponsored water project brought irrigation to fields far from the river, agricultural development has steadily encroached on the ancient tumuli that characterize the region. For the past 15-20 years, the Gordion project has been attempting to mitigate the adverse effects of climate and economic development on the archaeological resources. This talk focuses on how an understanding of the modern vegetation can inform and enhance both preservation and the touristic experience. Presented by the Penn Museum's Research Project Manager, Dr. Naomi Miller.

This footage was shot during two excavation seasons at Gordion, Turkey in 1951 and 1957. The Midas Mound was opened in 1957 by an archaeological team headed by Rodney Young who appears at the beginning of the film and makes a brief appearance as he pieces together decorative wall moldings. The footage from 1951 shows men from a local village building a mud brick house at the site. The workers used mules to haul away debris during excavation. Also captured on film are the first images of the opening of the Tomb of King Midas. Footage includes shots of King Midas skeleton, cauldrons, belts, safety pins, and metal bowls strewn about the grave. The footage from 1957 was shot by Samuel B. Eckert (1884-1973), who served as a member of the Board of Managers of The University Museum from 1943-1973.

Dr. Lynne Lancaster, Professor of Classical Archaeology at Ohio University, presents the Kenneth Matthews Lecture in Roman Archaeology "Recent Research on the Colosseum" on February 19th, 2009.