Saturdays at the Museum - Ancient Troy -- What We Know Today

Utah State University Museum of Anthropology presents “Ancient Troy: What We Know Today” Saturday, Feb. 13, throughout the day at the museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events are included in the ongoing “Saturdays at the Museum” series.

 

Using local myths, instincts, and a literal interpretation of the Iliad, early excavator Heinrich Schliemann found what he believed to be the city of Troy in the late 1800s. At USU, the Saturday’s program will explore Schliemann’s excavation methods of the ancient city, including the laws he broke, and compare his techniques to modern archeological practices. Recent scholarship regarding the many levels of the city will be discussed, along with the use of linguistic analysis to determine the names of places and people associated with Troy.

 

Example passages from Homer’s “Iliad and Odyssey” will be available for guests to examine the words that inspired Schliemann’s search for Troy.

 

“By looking more closely at these descriptive passages from Homer, guests will be able to follow Schliemann’s thought process in making this truly remarkable discovery,” Saturday event planner Aurora Durfee said.

 

Children’s activities are also featured Saturday. They will hear the story of the Greeks’ Trojan horse used to conquer Troy and have an opportunity to make their own version of the horse made famous in the epic tale.

 

USU students and members of the public are invited to the museum any time during open hours: M-F 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Funding for Saturday events is provided by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online (www.imls.gov).

 

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building. For more information on this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum Web site.

 

 

Source: Museum of Anthropology