Journeys Near and Far

Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya

A New Exhibit Opens at Penn Museum

A new traveling exhibition opens today at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology:  Painted Metaphors:  Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya. 

I had the opportunity to preview this exhibit last Monday and I really loved it -- I have a long-standing interest in the ancient Maya, their glyphs and drawings, so this collection, scheduled to be on display until January 31, 2010, intrigued me. 

Focusing on ordinary people and their daily lives, the exhibit showcases the famous Chama painted pottery excavated nearly a century ago by the University of  Pennsylvania. 

Newly reinterpreted in light of recent research in the field, the pottery, which forms the centerpiece of the Painted Metaphors exhibit, yields new clues to understanding the everyday life -- and changing politics -- of the ancient Maya of Guatemala 1,300 years ago.

The almost two dozen recently conserved Maya painted vessels come from Chama, a Maya village in the highlands far from the more sophisticated lowland centers of Maya culture.  Discovered by Penn Museum archaeologist Robert Burkitt, this vibrant painted pottery is unlike anything else the region ever produced.

Why is that, I wondered?  Exhibition Curator Dr. Elin Danien, Research Associate at the Penn Museum, suggests these are "painted metaphors", or pictorial narratives, reflecting the sudden introduction of people and ideas from the Maya lowlands.  Interesting.

Ahoy, Mateys! Get Ready for a Rollicking Good Pirate Adventure in Philadelphia

This weekend...

Arrgh, me hearties, prepare to set sail aboard the Whydah for a grand adventure at the Franklin Institute!  If you're in or near Philadelphia this weekend, it will be your last chance to see Real Pirates, the world's first exhibition of authentic pirate treasure!

This exhibit is new from National Geographic and the team that designed Tutankhamun and The Golden Age of the Pharaohs.  On display you'll see more than 200 artifacts salvaged from the ocean floor from the wreck of the Whydah, the only authenticated pirate ship ever recovered in American waters. 

Named after the port of Whydah in West Africa, the ship was captured by pirates in the Windward Passage on it's maiden voyage and then driven to Cape Cod.  Caught in a terrible storm there, the Whydah sunk in 1717.

Many of the coins you'll see on exhibit are antiques from the early 1500's that the pirates wore as jewelry, going all the way back to Ferdinand and Isabella and right up to 1717.

I haven't had a chance to see this exhibit yet myself, but I'm hoping to go this weekend and wanted to tell you about it while you still have a chance to see it, as I hear 'tis a fitting exhibit for the whole family.

Since it's the final weekend of the exhibit, prepare to be entertained by some special events.  On their website, the Franklin Institute says there will be "pirate appearances" all weekend long, with sword fighting shows, pirate-themed book readings, and pirate games, among other things.  Cool.

So ahoy, mateys!  And repeat after me:  "'Tis a pirate's life for me...".   Then unfurl yer treasure maps and gather yer doubloons!  For it's time to experience Real Pirates, if ye dare.

Note:  Fascinated by pirates? 

• Watch Barry Clifford talk about the ship in this video.  He's the underwater explorer who discovered the Whydah in 1984.

• Teachers:  The Franklin Institute has a fabulous pirate's educator's guide which can be downloaded here.

Some pirate books in my personal library (not about the Wydah) that I recommend are:

• Under the Black Flag, the Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates, by David Cordingly.   An account of the golden age of piracy by the world's foremost expert on pirates.
• The History of Pirates, by Angus Konstam.  A colorful account of thievery, torture, and murder on the high seas.  It's a fun book written in association with the Mariners' Museum in Virginia, a fabulous museum I will write more about later.
• Fact or Fiction:  Pirates, by Stewart Ross.  Great book for kids, separating the reality of pirate life from the fantasy.   Check the used paperbacks for this one if it's not available or see if your library carries it.

Photos courtesy of the Franklin Institute.

Websites to Visit -- VisitPA.com

Share Your Stories on the Newly Redesigned VisitPA.com Website

The folks at VisitPA.com have just  redesigned their state tourism website.  Launched last Monday, travelers can now share their itinerary suggestions, comments, user reviews and photos with each other -- a fun concept that's completely different than any other state travel site.

As soon as the site launched I went over to check it out.  The site has four main tabs:  Things To Do, PA Maps, Trip Ideas and Travel Tools.  Within each tab are numerous additional choices, under which you'll find a wealth of  travelers' posts about different Pennsylvania locations and events.  Check out the photo gallery as well (where visitors can upload their photos) as there is nothing quite like seeing other people's pictures to inspire you to pick up and go.

There are nine categories for your story such as History & Heritage, Festivals & Fairs, and Sporting Events.  Just click on "Share Your Story" at the top of the page, then type your story in the box and pick which category it best fits in.  The story can have up to 500 characters, and you can upload a .jpg image to go with it. 

The redesigned site has only been up for a week and there are already dozens of traveler stories posted.  I think it's going to be pretty popular.

So if you're thinking about visiting Pennsylvania, or already have and would like to share your story, be sure to click over to VisitPA.com.  The site relies almost completely on user-generated content, so tell your friends about it!  The more people who visit and participate, the better the site will be.

The Glory of Ancient Egypt

Two Stunning IMAX Films Show the Glory of Ancient Egypt

If you are heading to the King Tut exhibit at the Franklin Institute, (see my earlier post), or to Egypt, for that matter!), I recommend that you schedule your time to first see The Mysteries of Egypt in the Franklin Institute's IMAX theater.  The Mysteries of Egypt by National Geographic is a stunning film that unlocks the myths and reveals the masterpieces of this amazing empire that began some 5,000 years ago.

Omar Sharif guides viewers on a magic carpet-ride that soars over the Nile and across the Valley of the Kings, descending into the shadowy chambers of King Tut's sacred tomb, a tomb for a king whose people believed that death was not an end, but the beginning of a great journey.  Accompanying him in the film is young actress Kate Maberly (of 1993's The Secret Garden).

This film portrays the glory of Ancient Egypt and the pride that modern Egyptians have in their heritage.  Of course, many of you reading this don't live near Philadelphia, so note that, while it's not the same as seeing the film on the large format IMAX screen, you can buy the DVD -- a worthwhile addition to the collection of any lover of history!

Also, a new IMAX movie premiered at the Franklin Institute on Friday, March 16th:  Mummies:  Secrets of the Pharaohs.  While I haven't had a chance to go see it yet, it sounds amazing.    The film follows researchers and explorers who, in addition to learning what the culture, religion, medicine and daily life was like thousands of years ago, are reconstructing mummy DNA and deciphering ancient texts to gain insight into modern human genetics and advanced medical treatments.  Read more on the film's website.

Narrated by actor Christopher Lee (you know -- Saruman from The Lord of the Rings?), the film helps unravel the mystery of the royal mummies:  how were they embalmed?  Why were they hidden where they were?  How were they recovered?  I'm fascinated by mummies as many people are;  here are some suggestions on where to start reading if you'd like to learn more about the ancient practice of mummification.  And here's a list of theaters worldwide that will show Mummies:  Secrets of the Pharaohs.

Note:  If you're confused about where King Tut fits into the royal line, download this file:  timeline.pdf .  It shows when King Tut lived and ruled.

Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Tourist Office.

King Tut Rules Again

Philadelphia Hosts Two Magnificent Egyptian Exhibits

The heat of the Egyptian sun formed beads of sweat on Lord Carnarvon's brow, and he wiped them away impatiently.  Besides him, Egyptologist Howard Carter peered into the hole he'd made in the door of the newly discovered pharaoh's tomb as hot air escaped from the chamber.  "Can you see anything?"  Lord Carnarvon asked anxiously, unable to stand the suspense any longer.

"Yes, wonderful things!" Carter replied.

It was November 26, 1922, and Carter had just made the most spectacular archaeological discovery of all time -- that of the tomb of a once little-known pharaoh, the boy-king Tutankhamun, who lived more than 3,300 years ago.  The only tomb of its era to be found intact and full of indescribable treasures (as well as a mysterious curse), Carter's find helped make Tutankhamun the most popular of the Egyptian pharaohs in the modern world.

Thirty years ago, from 1976-1979, Tut's treaures visited the United States.  No other cultural exhibit has piqued the nation's curiosity -- before or since -- in quite the same way as The Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibit.  During that period, nearly 8 million Americans viewed the rare artifacts during  sold-out tours at each museum where they appeared.

Now, from February 3rd to September 30th, 2007, Tut's treasures are once again on display -- this time, at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the final stop in the current exhibit's U.S. tour.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

More than double the size of the original 1976 exhibit, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs brings nearly 130 pieces of Egyptian antiquities, many outside of Egypt for the first time, to the Franklin Institute.  Objects on display range from Tut's royal crown to the confinettes that contained his organs.  In addition, more than 70 artifacts from five other pharaoh's tombs of the 18th dynasty are on display.  Some of the artifacts date back 3,500 years.

The exhibit begins with a short film.  You'll explore galleries that highlight life in Egypt before King Tut, in which you'll learn about daily life, traditional Egyptian beliefs, and death, burial and the afterlife.  Then you'll move on to galleries featuring the revolutionary ruler Akhenaten, his religious revolution, the art of the period and then the life -- and death -- of the famous boy-king.

Finally, you'll learn about the mystery that surrounds Tut's death via CT scans.  Despite four previous examinations of his mummy, it was not until 2005 during a five-year Egyptian research and conservation project that the truth of why Tut died so young came to light.

Check back in the near future for a post on another amazing Egyptian exhibit currently in Philadelphia!

Note:  If you can't get to to Philadelphia to see the Tut exhibit, don't despair -- the exhibit will travel to London in November, 2007.

Top photo courtesy of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC); bottom photo courtesy of K. Ciappa for GPTMC.

Darwin at the Franklin Institute

Darwin -- The Man, His Life and Ideas

Darwin, the most in-depth exhibition ever mounted on this highly original naturalist and his theory of evolution by natural selection, is on display right now at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  I saw it on Saturday and don't know why I waited so long -- it opened October 6th and will be at the museum until December 31st.  If you'll be in the Philadelphia area this weekend, please go see it -- it's remarkable!

Darwin was an amazing man.  He forever changed the perception of the origin and nature of our species, as well as the numerous other species on this planet, launching modern biological science.  This exhibition is developed by the American Museum of Natural History (you know, the one where everything comes alive at night as Ben Stiller finds out in the movie Night At the Museum, playing now across the country?) 

The exhibit takes visitors on a journey through Darwin's life, starting with his childhood and his relationship with his family, then moves to his life at school and as a young naturalist.  It covers his fascinating five-year journey on the HMS Beagle to South America, the Galápagos Islands and beyond from 1831-1836, then his marriage, family life and study at Down House, and the shaping of his idea.  Kids will like the live animals:  two Galápagos tortoises, a five-foot long green iguana, and several ornate Argentinian horned frogs (which I thought were kind of cute).

"Darwin left a rich paper trail revealing just what he saw on the Beagle, how he came to his realization that life has evolved, how he discovered natural selection in 1838, and how he developed into a top-notch experimental evolutionary biologist while living at Down House for the last 40 years of his life," says Dr. Niles Eldredge, Curator of Darwin.

If you see the Darwin Exhibit, I suggest you also take in the IMAX movie Galápagos.  The film follows Marine Biologist Dr. Carole Baldwin as she retraces Darwin's steps on his epic voyage.  On land and in the water she encounters an abundance of marine life including marine iguanas and the world's largest shark - the Whale Shark.  In the film, Dr. Baldwin delves deeply into the largely unknown waters surrounding this volcanic archipelago which Charles Darwin visited in 1835.  Watching it will help you learn more about Darwin's world and the plants and animals he studied.

Note:  Teachers, check out this Teacher's Guide to the Galápagos on the Franklin Institute's website.

Can't make the exhibit or don't live near Philadelphia?  I picked up two books about Darwin that look interesting:  Cyril Aydon's biography Charles Darwin, and Darwin, His Daughter, & Human Evolution by Randal Keynes.

And oh, got kids?  Don't miss the Franklin Institute's Animal Grossology exhibit!  Meet some of the slipperiest, smelliest, utterly dirtiest creatures on Earth in this disgusting exhibit.  I checked it out and yes, it's gross.  Your kids will love it.

Photos courtesy of the Franklin Institute.  Iguana and Skull Wall photographer Dennis Finnin; Tortoise photographer Joe McDonald.

The Central Market, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

America's oldest farmers' market, Central Market, continuously operated since the 1730's, occupies a Victorian 1889 market building in historic downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  To add to my previous posts on Lancaster, I wanted to mention that it's a great place to stop in and pick up lunch, which you can enjoy eating outside on a bench in nice weather. 

Many of the farmers who bring their vegetables and meats here have had stands here since the early 1900's.   What's great is the choice of locally grown foods -- cheeses, meats, fresh-baked breads and deserts, and local specialties such as smoked bologna and shoofly pie (although I admit, I haven't tried the pie yet...)  It's a lot of fun to be in a place where the aisles are filled with foods from around the world, and people gather to exchange news and see their friends.  It's much more exciting than shopping at my local supermarket!

For more photos of Lancaster, look here.

Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum

People see quilts in a variety of ways.  Some people see them as warm, cozy bed coverings to cuddle beneath on cold winter nights.  Others see them as an art, and enjoy the craft of making them.  Still others view them as heirlooms to be saved and cherished.  The Lancaster County Quilt and Textile Museum in historic downtown Lancaster sees the quilts in their display as windows to the Amish culture.

Since I wrote about Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Witness Movie Experience Tour in a previous post,  I thought I'd write more about Lancaster for anyone who may want to visit before the last day of the tour on November 21st. 

During my visit, I had plenty of time before the tour to see the Quilt Museum as well as walk to the Central Market (one block away).  There, I purchased lunch, which I ate on a bench outside in the sunshine. 

The Quilt and Textile Museum, which opened in March of 2004 in historic downtown Lancaster, has a beautiful display of late 19th - 20th century Amish quilts indigenous to the region.  Each quilt in the exhibit has a story, and I couldn't bring myself to move from one quilt to the next without reading everything about each one of them (information cards accompany each quilt).  But quilts aren't the only thing to view in the museum -- I enjoyed seeing samplers, clothing, rugs, and much more.  And for anyone who likes to shop, the museum has a nice little gift shop with mementos unique to Lancaster County. 

Whether you're a quilt lover or someone interested in Amish culture and history, or both, this exhibit will not only teach you about quilts but will help you learn more about the Lancaster Amish community.  Check it out!

You can see a photo album of Lancaster and the Witness Movie Experience tour here. 

Lancaster's Witness Movie Experience Tour

Believe it or not this year marks the 20th anniversary of the award-winning movie Witness, with Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis.  To celebrate this special anniversary, the Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau has created the Witness Movie Experience Tour, which, for the first time ever, brings visitors to the Amish home and farm where the filming took place. 

The 3-hour guided bus tour also includes a ride through the idyllic farmlands and picturesque Pennsylvania Dutch countryside while the guide points out several of the movie's other filming locations, and a stop in historic downtown Lancaster at the Lancaster Cultural History Museum for the new Witness memorabilia exhibit, "Witness to Witness".   

Learning the details about the filming experience brought the movie to life for me, but the tour offered even more than that -- it taught me about the Amish way of life. 

At first chance, I'd like to go back and see more of Lancaster.  I highly recommend that you take the tour if you are in the area.  The tour will be available this year only from April 1st through November 21st.

You can see a photo album of Lancaster and the Witness Movie Experience Tour here.