Classics and Semitics @ GWU

Dumbarton Oaks
Pre-Columbian Studies

Public Lecture

Jean-Pierre Protzen, University of California, Berkeley

Inca Architecture: Building a World


Machu Picchu

Thursday, October 25^th 2007
5:30 P.M. in the Music Room of Dumbarton Oaks
1703 32^nd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007

Illustrated

The lecture is open to the public without charge.
For additional information: pre-columbian@doaks.org or 202-339-6440.

Abstract
In the expansion of their power base, the Incas launched a massive construction program consisting mostly of works of infrastructure: roads, bridges, agricultural terraces, reservoirs, irrigation canals, and storage facilities. In parallel, the Incas also built new administrative centers, temples, and settlements. In all their construction work, the Incas demonstrated a deep appreciation of their environment. Their works reveal a thorough understanding of questions of hydrology, geomorphology, and microclimate as well as an appreciation of the aesthetic values of the landscape. This lecture will explore the design and planning practices of the Incas.

About the Speaker
Jean-Pierre Protzen is Professor of the Graduate School (Architecture) at the University of California, Berkeley. Professor Protzen is author of Inca Architecture and Construction at Ollantaytambo and several other publications on design theory and methods, Inca architecture, and construction techniques. Honors include research fellowships from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of California, and an International Architecture Book Award from the American Institute of Architects. Professor Protzen teaches courses on design theories and methods, logics of design, and research methods. Current research interests include design, planning, and construction principles of ancient civilizations, particularly Pre-Columbian South America. Recent field projects have concerned the architecture and construction of Tiwanaku in Bolivia and Tambo Colorado in Peru.

Directions to the Music Room at Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks is located at 1703 32^nd Street, NW in Washington, D.C. Please enter through the front entrance of the Main Building, and proceed down the hall where you will be guided into the Music Room. For further information or to receive an electronic map of the grounds, please contact Emily Gulick (gulicke@doaks.org; (202)339-6440). We look forward to seeing you there!

Our esteemed leader, Prof. Cline has made yet another valiant attempt to rouse the Biblical Archaeology profession to stand up for itself and to reclaim its field from the growing legions of ideologues who annually set out to find Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant of other such Biblical mysteries. On September 30, 2007, his piece “Raiders of the Faux Ark” was printed in the Boston Globe’s “Ideas” section.  A highlight:

“We are living in a time of exciting discoveries in biblical archeology. We are also living in a time of widespread biblical fraud, dubious science, and crackpot theorizing. Some of the highest-profile discoveries of the past several years are shadowed by accusations of forgery, such as the James Ossuary, which may or may not be the burial box of Jesus’ brother, as well as other supposed Bible-era findings such as the Jehoash Tablet and a small ivory pomegranate said to be from the time of Solomon. Every year “scientific” expeditions embark to look for Noah’s Ark, raising untold amounts of money from gullible believers who eagerly listen to tales spun by sincere amateurs or rapacious con men; it is not always easy to tell the two apart.”

Read the whole (4 pages, very long) article here. 

Something our Archaeology students may be interested in? Please note that you must contact the embassy at the email provided below to RSVP.

TURKISH EMBASSY LECTURE SERIES

The Embassy of Turkey and the American Friends of Turkey
cordially invite you to

“Tracking the Frontiers of the Hittite Empire”
A Lecture by Dr. Ann Gunter

October 10, 2007 at 6.30 p.m.
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

-PLEASE NOTE: This event will be followed by a reception –

A century ago, excavations at Boðazköy, northeast of Ankara, uncovered cuneiform tablets and architectural remains that identified the site as ancient Hattusha, capital of the Hittite Empire. From about 1400 to 1200 BCE, the Hittites ruled over a large empire extending from western Turkey to northern Syria, and conducted wars as well as diplomacy with the other great powers of Egypt and Babylonia. Recent archaeological investigations over a wide area of Turkey have uncovered significant new information about the empire and its material culture, and dramatic new discoveries have been made at the site of Boðazköy itself. This lecture explores ongoing archaeological investigation of the empire’s frontiers, which shed light on art and architecture as well as imperial administration, trade, and international relations.

Dr. Ann Gunter is Head of Scholarly Publications and Programs and former Curator of ancient Near Eastern art at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.  She received her A.B. from Bryn Mawr College and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University. Her research specialties include ancient Near Eastern art, Anatolian archaeology, and artistic relationships between ancient Greece and the Near East, and she has published numerous books and articles on these subjects.

Please RSVP with name, title and affiliation to:
(202) 387-3200 or events@turkishembassy.org
ID required at entrance

In honor of Classics 071 having finished Homer’s Iliad, the Classics and Archaeology Club will be sponsoring its first Classics Movie Night.

WHAT: TROY (with Brad Pitt and Eric Bana)
WHEN: Thursday, September 27th 8PM
WHERE: Monroe 352

Popcorn will be provided (but don’t tell the Registrar). Students in 071 may write a short 2-3 page “comparison” paper for one quiz grade’s worth of extra credit.

SEE YOU THERE!

The Welcome Back 2007 Classics and Archaeology Club party was a success. More than 20 students and all the Classics faculty attended and there was much food. The nice thing about hosting this party was that the students brought the food. Of course, they were a little late, but that’s what happens when you put a Greek in charge of the food. Eric Cline, our fearless leader and a world traveler managed to get lost on the way to my house. It wouldn’t be that funny except that he’s been to the house multiple times before and he has GPS in his car. Go figure. The Cutest Baby in the World (no bias here) made a grand appearance instead of napping. Thankfully, Cline brought his babysitter in training, Hannah, to help out.
Below are a few more pictures. For the full album, go HERE.

This year’s Welcome back party for Classics and Archaeology majors and minors will be held at Professor Kennedy’s House of Sunday September 16th from 1-3pm. For more information, visit the Classics and Archaeology Club home page or contact Dr. Cline, Dr. Kennedy or Club President LeBlanc.

All current Classics and Archaeology majors and minors @ GWU and those interested in becoming one are welcome to attend. Sandwiches, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Pictures may be taken.

This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Classics and Semitics and the Classics and Archaeology Club of GWU. The University claims no responsibility.

Dr. Eric Cline will be the subject of much debate on September 19th at 7:30pm on National Geographic Live. (click on link).

His new book is the topic of much conversation as Cline takes on some of the major “mysteries” of the Bible and challenges some of the popular thoughts on these topics. National Geographic has put together a panel of other experts to discuss some of his findings. From the link: “Joining him and National Geographic senior writer Alan Mairson for a discussion of archaeology, faith, and the Bible will be Hershel Shanks, editor of Biblical Archaeology Review; Tremper Longman III, professor of biblical studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California; and Randall Younker, a professor of archaeology at Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution in Berrien Springs, Michigan.”

The department has a limited number of reduced-price tickets for students ($9 instead of $15). If anyone is interested in attending, contact Dr. Cline at ehcline @ gwu dot edu (but use the real email address–this is just us trying to avoid the spammers…)

Welcome to the Classics and Semitics @ GWU Blog. We’ll be using this place to keep everyone posted about upcoming events and recent happenings in the department. We may even just post the occasional nonsense. Hope you enjoy it. Please also check out our university home page @ http://www.gwu.edu/~csll.