This article tells of a typical working day for an archaeologist in Egypt. It tells of an experienced archaeologist named, Dr. David O’Connor. He speaks of his working site, Abydos, and tells of what he has discovered since he started working on the site. In his 30 years of working there, he has uncovered 12 wooden boats, each about 60 feet long encased in 96-foot graves. He has also found the remains of an entire settlement covering about 16 acres. He annually spends up to $150,000 to pay of his fellow archaeologists and his laborers. He does receive funds from private institutions and government agencies to help support his effort in Abydos.
In reading this article, I have become puzzled as to how so many people working there can split $150,000. It says that 20-25 scientists and 30-60 laborers are employed. I understand that he does receive funds from institutions, but I would not think that it would be upwards of enough money to support so many people. I have always respected archaeologists for what they do but now I have a deeper respect for Egyptian archaeologists. I do hope to visit Egypt someday though and experience what it is like firsthand.
Article 2- Cosmetic Surgery Discovered on Ancient Roman Portrait Newsprint
This article tells of artists in the modern day performing work on damaged ancient artifacts. It specifies on a head statue that was received as a gift by the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Scientists noticed some unusual features on the statue’s head and investigated it to discover that somebody had fixed it up before it was given to them. They used gamma-radiographs to find that somebody had fixed the head’s broken neck with metal dowels and clamps.
I found it pretty remarkable that some people may get away doing this without anybody knowing of it. It makes me wonder if some of the great artifacts that we have on display today have been tampered with and that they may not be 100% ancient. I don’t see that there is anything wrong with this. I’d rather look at a fixed up display than view one that has been badly damaged and is hard to make out.
Article 3- Faking It: A Forger’s Biography Newsprint
This article tells of a modern day man, Alceo Dossena 1878-1937, and his ability to create artificial art pieces of ancient civilizations. He created sculptures in almost every style: Greek, Etruscan, Gothic and Italian Renaissance. He would sculpt them, then age them by giving them acid baths and then would proceed to bury them, allowing them to age. He was able to fool some of the greatest historians and scientists in the world. One of his art pieces was sold to a dealer who then sold it for $225,000, the highest price of any of Dossena’s artworks.
Dossena claimed that he did not make his art to cheat people out of their money. He then sued his dealer and won. divided into three categories: domestic goods, tools and public art.
In addition to all of the above listed, there are many other items to view at the museum. What I found interesting about this article was that the Romans had produced somewhat of an assembly line. I had no prior knowledge of anyone doing this before Henry Ford. I think that is really neat that they could create such an effect some 2000 years ago with the technology that they had.
