KELSEY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

FALL 2O12 NEWS NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR

STAFF It is always a pleasure for me to read the current Kelsey Newsletter in preparing to write Sharon Herbert, Director the notes from the director. Despite being in the center of things in the director’s office, Dawn Johnson, Associate Director I always find things in theNewsletter that are new to me or enrich my own work. In this Curators issue my eye was immediately caught by Nicole High-Steskal’s photograph of a seal ring Suzanne Davis, Conservation from Ephesus, which bears a striking resemblance to the thousands of seal impressions I Elaine K. Gazda, Hellenistic and Roman am studying from the Kelsey’s excavations at Kedesh. I was also delighted to learn in her Sharon Herbert, Greek and Hellenistic Janet Richards, Dynastic Egypt article about the opening of the new Mosaic Museum at Gaziantepe. When I was there Margaret Cool Root, Greek and Near Eastern in 2003 the salvaged mosaics were piled around the museum’s courtyard and impossible Lauren Talalay, Academic Outreach to view. It is wonderful to hear they now have a safe home open to the public. Terry Wilfong, Graeco-Roman Egypt The story of the mosaics—rescued by international teams of archaeologists Research Scientists and conservators racing against the rising waters of the River and now safely Geoffrey Emberling displayed in a modern museum environment—underlines the breadth of skills that are Richard Redding needed to discover, preserve, and display the treasures of the past. This fall’s special exhi- Research Associates/Affiliates bition, Conserving Antiquity, dramatically illustrates the Kelsey’s ongoing commitment to Gary Beckman Christopher Ratté and leadership in these efforts. Artemis Leontis Ann van Rosevelt Despina Margomenou Carola Stearns The Kelsey’s mission has us operating on many fronts, from international research to Laura Motta Nicola Terrenato K-12 education. Our dedicated staff is adept at keeping us ahead in all our endeavors. Lisa Nevett The recent arrival of Dawn Johnson from the Tampa Museum of Art to serve as a full-

Support Staff time associate director is already allowing us to move forward with new initiatives in our Carl Abrego, Administrative Specialist exhibitions and public programming. With more professional security staff in the offing Kathryn Carras, Museum Entrance Monitor Claudia Chemello, Conservator we are now exploring the possibility of having the galleries open over at least part of Sebastián Encina, Coordinator of Museum Collections the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, something many of the Associates have been Michelle Fontenot, Collections Manager requesting for years. All our programs are supported in a large way by our Associates. I Todd Gerring, Community Outreach Supervisor Margaret Lourie, Editor thank you all once again and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. Sandra Malveaux, Museum Office Assistant Sharon Herbert, Director Scott Meier, Museum Exhibition Coordinator Lorene Sterner, Graphic Artist, Gifts Manager Alex Zwinak, Graduate Program Coordinator

Gallery Hours Tuesday–Friday 9 am–4 pm Saturday–Sunday 1 pm–4 pm

INFORMATION Web site: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/kelsey/ phone: 734.764.9304 email: [email protected]

University of Michigan Regents Julia Donovan Darlow Andrea Fischer Newman Laurence B. Deitch Andrew C. Richner Denise Ilitch S. Martin Taylor Olivia P. Maynard Katherine E. White Mary Sue Coleman, ex officio

The Kelsey Museum Newsletter is sponsored by the Associates of the Kelsey Museum.

Design Steven Driscoll Hixson

This fall Coordinator of Museum Collections Sebastián Encina is serving as registrar for the University of California–Los Angeles team excavating at Karanis, Egypt. He sends this photo of the site’s present-day appearance. Read his blog posts at http://kelseymuseum.tumblr.com. Gold ring with Artemis Ephesia engraving, second Mosaic of Daedalus and Icarus, Zeugma Mosaic Museum. century AD, Harbor Necropolis, Ephesus. Photo: Niki Gail, ÖAI pedley winner travels to ancient ephesus and zeugma in

With the help of the John G. Pedley cording to some scholars, Ephesus was in specialists and their willingness to assist Award for Travel and Research I was able economic decline. The amount and origin and discuss topics that did not pertain to to travel to Turkey for eight weeks this of the amphorae suggest otherwise. their immediate research topics made my summer and participate in a project on The second part of my work at Ephesus learning experience beyond anything I the Roman period cemeteries of ancient consisted in the study of the metal, bone, had hoped for this summer. Ephesus. and gold finds from the necropolis. Many Initially I had also planned on travel- The cemeteries to the north and south of these items were discovered in burial ing to Antioch and Zeugma to see the of the harbor channel in Ephesus were contexts, but due to frequent reuse of the spectacular mosaics discovered in the first constructed in the second century tombs the objects could not be correlated area. My dissertation focuses on images of AD and were probably in active use until with the remains of individuals. The spectacle, and many fine examples of such the end of the fourth century AD. In the artifacts included some outstanding pieces imagery have been discovered in Antioch course of the fifth century the necropolis of workmanship, such as a small gold ring and Zeugma. Due to the unrest in Syria appears to have become the dumping with a colored stone engraved with the and an incident between the Turkish and grounds for the city, as evident from the cult image of Artemis Ephesia. This piece Syrian armies, however, I was not able to discovery of enormous amounts of pot- documents the adherence of individuals travel to Antioch and only visited the site tery there. to the Artemis cult in the second century and mosaics of ancient Zeugma. With the excavations completed last AD, but by the mid-third century AD Situated along the Euphrates River, year, the 2012 season focused on the other individuals buried in the very same Zeugma was discovered during the analysis of small finds and pottery. My tomb were accompanied by lamps deco- construction of a large dam. Many work on the project was twofold. For the rated with Christian symbols. mosaics were found during the rescue majority of the time I participated in the The opportunity to work in Ephesus excavations and moved to a museum in processing of cook wares and amphorae, this past summer was extremely use- the modern city of Gaziantep to protect a project I had begun in 2008 but had not ful in many regards: I became more them from the rising water levels as well been able to continue. Working along- proficient at classifying amphorae and as extensive looting. The new mosaic side a Spanish amphora specialist, I was understanding what they tell us about a museum in Gaziantep, which just opened able to identify and document amphorae society beyond their immediate practical this past winter, displays many mosaics from the second century BC through the function. In addition, I had access to the from Zeugma and the surrounding area. seventh and eighth centuries AD. The exceptional labs and resources available at The various corpora in which most of origins of these amphorae were extremely the dig house in Ephesus. Thin-section- the mosaics have been published rarely diverse. We discovered pieces from ing equipment, for example, permitted include floor plans or descriptions of their Spain, France, North Africa, Egypt, and us to analyze clay composition based on context. But the museum design specifi- the Black Sea. These objects illuminate petrographic qualities, and a scanning cally focuses on context and was thus very the extensive trade connections Ephesus electron microscope made it possible to helpful in illuminating another facet of maintained with other Mediterranean examine minute details about the surface these mosaics. ports, mainly from the fifth through the composition of an object. Finally, the Nicole M. High-Steskal seventh century AD—a time when, ac- environment and availability of various IPCAA PhD Candidate Conserving Antiquity OFFERS INSIDER’S VIEW these sites. We’ll show photos of our field labs, feature various projects from each When we were asked if we might like both from Graeco-Roman Egypt. The site, and discuss some of the challenges to curate an exhibition on conservation, mummy mask is cracked and brittle, with and rewards of conservation fieldwork. our first thought was,really ? As full-time many detached fragments, and before In the exhibition, we also ask visitors conservators, we both believe strongly in recent conservation treatment it was too to consider why conservation is impor- the value of preserving material culture. fragile to be displayed or even handled tant. Conservation in museums and for But it was hard for us to imagine how for research. It had been repaired in the archaeological and historical sites can’t we might construct an exhibition around past, but the old repairs were no longer exist without support from governments, what we do on a daily basis. Conserva- functional. We show visitors the painstak- the public, and private individuals. To tion, like many tasks in archaeology and ing process of removing these old repairs, learn from our visitors, we’re asking museums, is usually conducted behind the replacing the detached fragments, and them to share their thoughts on why we scenes, and it was a challenge for us to de- generally supporting and strengthening should preserve artifacts and sites. On a cide what aspects of our work should be the mask through the use of inert, revers- larger scale, preservation of objects and featured in an exhibition. ible materials. structures from the past is necessary for Exhibitions involving conservation The leather scale armor was excavated the work of historians and archaeologists, often choose to focus on a few interesting at Karanis by the University of Michigan but the conservation of cultural material conservation treatments or on the techni- in the 1920s. There is little documenta- influences all of our lives. What we as a cal investigation of a specific collection tion of the armor from the excavation, society choose to safeguard determines, or type of object, but we wanted to take but today it exists in many fragments of long-term, how we understand and inter- a more general approach. It’s an amaz- different sizes. Some of these are sub- pret history. At the Kelsey Museum, the ing experience to work first-hand with stantial and reveal details of the armor’s ability to exhibit, teach with, and better artifacts from the ancient world, and we original construction. Last year, in understand art and archaeological arti- decided to give visitors an insider’s view preparation for exhibition of the armor facts enriches the educational experience of conservation at the Kelsey and on its in Karanis Revealed, conservators at the for University of Michigan students and excavations, showcase recent conservation Kelsey undertook a detailed study of this faculty. For our community, conserva- projects, and invite visitors to participate artifact. We describe this process, some of tion of the Kelsey’s unparalleled but often in some of the things we do regularly. our findings, and the conservation treat- fragile collections means that people in For example, in one activity, we ask ment of the leather. southeast Michigan and beyond can view visitors to spend time looking closely at a Finally, we feature a major conservation and learn about objects from the ancient variety of mysterious artifacts in the way research project conducted last year by world. Conservation is important for a conservator would: thinking carefully the Kelsey’s Samuel H. Kress Conserva- individuals in other ways as well; every- about how and why they were made, tion Fellow, Caroline Roberts. Carrie’s one has family heirlooms to care for or and considering what condition issues primary Fellowship task was to investigate items of personal significance that they are most important for each. In another numerous condition problems observed would like to preserve. In this exhibition, part of the exhibition, we demonstrate a in the Kelsey’s collection of limestone fu- we discuss risks for many types of materi- simple but effective investigative tech- nerary stelae from the site of Terenouthis, als along with the ways that conservators nique commonly used by conservators: Egypt, and then to use this information to identify and manage these risks. examination with ultraviolet light. We design a treatment plan for the stelae. In planning this exhibition, we were for- even have an activity for kids, who can One of the most challenging aspects tunate in many respects. Over the past two piece together magnetic puzzles of several of our jobs is providing conservation for years we’ve been lucky to have multiple Kelsey Museum objects. the Museum’s excavations at Tel Kedesh, students and interns working in the con- The exhibition features three recent Israel, and the Abydos Middle Cemetery, servation lab, and their fresh perspective conservation projects from the Kelsey Egypt. In the hallway of the Newberry and contagious enthusiasm were invalu- Museum’s collection. Two of these building, we’ll walk visitors through the able. Having come of age at a time when involve complex artifacts, a cartonnage goals of archaeological conservation in social media dominates communication, mummy mask and leather body armor, general as well as specifically for each of these young conservators are committed to sharing what they do and to finding exhibition curators at the Kelsey, we better ways of communicating information aren’t used to telling a story with the Mu- about conservation to broad audiences. seum’s collections, nor have we previously We also received advice and inspira- designed activities for visitors. So Scott tion from colleagues at other institutions. Meier, the Museum’s exhibition coordina- Multiple museums have recently created tor, and Peg Lourie, the Museum’s editor, exhibitions on conservation, including the had to teach us as much as work alongside Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthro- us. Dawn Johnson, the Museum’s new as- pology at the University of California, sociate director, provided invaluable help Berkeley, the Shelburne Museum in in developing content and assisting with Vermont, and the Colonial Williamsburg various aspects of the exhibition’s produc- Foundation in Virginia. Conservators at tion. We’re also grateful for the technical these and other institutions were gener- assistance provided by Noah Posthuma, ous with their time, describing their who designed the Web site and pro- thought processes in planning conserva- grammed iPads and computers for use in tion exhibitions and what worked and the galleries. didn’t work in their galleries. We are happy to be able to offer several From conservators at the Hearst Mu- conservation events while Conserving seum, we learned that having a conserva- Antiquity is on view. Dr. Matthew Adams, Peg Lourie (left) and Claudia Chemello review tor working in the gallery was hugely Senior Research Scholar at the Institute text panels for the exhibition. successful, while including the cost of con- of Fine Arts, New York University, will servation projects in panel and label text open the exhibition with a talk about was not. From the Shelburne Museum archaeological conservation and how the we learned that exhibition cases using discipline of archaeology has become ultraviolet lights should not have on-off more focused on preservation. In Decem- switches; visitors who repeatedly turned ber John Steele, Conservator of Decora- the lights on and off burned out 7,500- tive Arts and Sculpture at the Detroit hour light tubes in a matter of weeks. Institute of Arts, will talk about recent The Colonial Williamsburg Founda- conservation projects at the DIA, includ- tion (CFW) exhibition gave us ideas ing an upcoming conservation treatment about how to approach preventive for an important outdoor sculpture. Fin- conservation in the exhibition. Preven- ishing the lecture series in January will be tive conservation involves long-term a talk by Clara Deck, Senior Conservator strategies for collections care, things like at The Henry Ford. Among other things, climate control, acid-free storage cabinets Clara has worked on conservation of The and containers, and staff training in object Henry Ford’s Dymaxion House, one of handling. The CFW conservators did a our favorite “objects” in that collection. great job demonstrating why preventive If you’re an Associate of the Museum, we Opposite page, left: Caroline Roberts treats the cartonnage mummy mask featured in the conservation is important. Two ideas that have planned a special evening cham- exhibition. we borrowed from them are the exhibi- pagne event for you that will feature the tion of items that have been damaged conservation of the Museum’s Barosso Opposite page, right: Scott Meier and Haley Hoard due to inadequate preventive conserva- watercolors. Last but certainly not least, during installation. tion and others that can be touched by for parts of each week one of us will be visitors. working at a lab bench in the exhibition, Above left: Scott Meier installs an amphora in the gallery. Like any exhibition at the Kelsey so stop by and see what we’re up to. Museum, Conserving Antiquity involved Suzanne Davis Above right: Scott Meier and Suzanne Davis a lot of collaboration. But unlike most Claudia Chemello experiment with the magnetic puzzle wall. Near right: Janet Richards’s Middle Egyptian class studies the Pepy-Nefer inscription in the Upjohn gallery: undergraduates Anya Nona and Nichole Nicklay; graduate student Adrianne Spunaugle (Near Eastern Studies); Museum of Art Conservation Fellow Lauren Calcote; Kelsey Assistant Research Scientist Geoff Emberling. Not pictured: Jenny Kreiger (IPCAA grad student).

Far right: Associate Director Dawn Johnson.

hieroglyphs class new colleague In Fall Term 2012, Curator Janet Rich- In the first month after she became the ards is teaching students how to read Kelsey’s associate director in June, Dawn ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs through Johnson figures she made forty to sixty extensive use of the Kelsey’s Egyptian col- new professional acquaintances—all lections. Following the approach of M. people she’d need to know in her chal- Collier and B. Manley in their textbook lenging new position. The wide-ranging How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A responsibilities of her new job include Step by Step Guide to Teach Yourself, this overseeing the Museum’s day-to-day one-semester class (ACABS 485 “Middle operations, implementing outreach and Egyptian”) emphasizes working with in- educational programs, coordinating the scribed artifacts from the outset. The goal special exhibitions program, expanding is not only to teach participants the basics the Kelsey’s development opportunities, of Middle Egyptian, the classical phase of and managing security personnel. the ancient language, but also ultimately Dawn brings to her new role more than to equip them with the tools to decipher a decade of experience at the Tampa Mu- the most common kinds of hieroglyphic seum of Art in Tampa, Florida, where she inscriptions in museums worldwide. served most recently as deputy director. Each week students spend two hours In that capacity she managed the instal- working through grammar and vocabulary lation of more than 14,000 square feet exercises in the classroom. The third hour of gallery space for the opening of the of class involves either independent work museum’s new facility in 2010. in the Kelsey’s Egyptian gallery or study- As she begins her job at the Kelsey, ing objects in collections storage with the Dawn has set herself some ambitious kind assistance of collections management goals. She hopes to increase the Mu- staff Michelle Fontenot and Kate Carras. seum’s visibility on campus and in the A mere two weeks into the term, greater Detroit area. She wants to boost the hardworking students had already membership in the Kelsey Associates, find memorized the alphabet, learned about more funding opportunities, and explore nouns and key prepositions, begun to new ways to connect visitors to Kelsey learn two- and three-consonant signs collections. And she is committed to sup- and worked on translating royal names. porting the Museum’s internal operations: Their first gallery assignment was to copy completing installation of the Upjohn and transliterate the Old Kingdom relief drawers, putting our collections on line, slab of Kar, also known as Pepy-Nefer: in and enriching our educational programs. the process they realized that they could A glance at Dawn’s busy calendar reveals already read parts of this false door frag- how energetically she is pursuing these ment from Saqqara! goals. In a recent week she finalized details As the semester progresses the class will for hiring a new security supervisor, co- visit other regional museums, work with ordinated a proposal for a multi-museum inscriptions excavated by the University collection-sharing program, and worked of Michigan’s Abydos Middle Cemetery with curators and staff on a timeline for Project, and finally dip into a series of completing drawer installation in the gal- excerpts from ancient Egyptian stories leries, all while also tending to budgetary, A young visitor to Archaeology Day learns about composed and read by people living thou- Associates, and development business. ancient cuneiform, written on clay tablets found sands of years and miles away. It is a pleasure to welcome Dawn John- throughout the Near East. Janet Richards son to the Kelsey community. Associates Joe and Zoe Pearson converse with Curator for Academic Outreach Participants explore architectural remains during an Associates tour of Malta. Lauren Talalay (right) at a Kelsey opening.

Associates expand membership benefits and programming

Vital to the success of any museum is the concept to its translation to the gallery, ates and discover the unique treasures support of its members, and the Kelsey is faculty and staff will discuss the evolution that the Kelsey holds in collections, no exception. Members of the Associates of an exhibition: object choice, conserva- exhibition programming, and people. We of the Kelsey Museum have supported the tion factors, design, fabrication, instal- love to share the Museum with others Museum with their ideas, time, and gifts lation, and the creation of interpretative and invite you to contact Dawn Johnson since their organization began in 1979. resources. ([email protected]; 734.764.9295) to Associates not only further the Mu- Yet another member benefit is the arrange a visit. seum’s mission through their membership organized trips sponsored by the Kelsey. Dawn Johnson but also dedicate their time, skills, and The Museum coordinates opportuni- experience to essential Museum program ties to travel in order to explore themes Upcoming Associates Events initiatives. Whether behind the scenes or related to our collection, whether it be Exhibition Preview as active community ambassadors for the a visit to a new exhibition presented by Kelsey Associates and their guests are Kelsey, the Associates are an essential part a peer organization or an international invited to a preview of the new exhibition of our day-to-day activities. tour. A trip to the Detroit Institute of Conserving Antiquity led by the show’s As the Associates expand the communi- Arts is on the docket for early November. curators. This special preview directly ty’s awareness of the Museum, we are also Many of the events and programs that precedes the exhibition’s opening lecture broadening opportunities for the Associ- the Kelsey sponsors are the inspiration of and reception. ates. If you travel frequently and enjoy a small dedicated group, the Associates Friday, November 2, 5:00–5:45 visiting museums in other cities, there is Board, led by President Bruce Artz and Preregistration requested now an option to join at a membership Vice President Florence Johnston. Board level that includes participation in the members demonstrate their commitment Bus Trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts North American Reciprocal Agreement to the Kelsey by working closely with Docent-led tours of the DIA’s Fabergé (NARM). Joining at the Contributor level staff and faculty to facilitate programs exhibit and Egyptian and Roman galleries or above provides free admission to more and support Museum operations. The for Associates and their guests. than 600 museums throughout North Associates Board and other Museum Sunday, November 4, 10:30–5:30 America as well as discounts in museum members volunteer their time to manage Depart from and return to the Kelsey stores, cafes, and select programs. Museum shop operations and participate Preregistration required by November 1; Enhanced programming for Associates in activities with outreach staff to provide $25 per person includes the Kelsey’s ongoing Behind-the- programs for children and families. They Scenes Champagne Tours, with four events also offer interpretative tours in the Behind-the-Scenes Champagne Tour planned for coming months. These tours Kelsey galleries for visitors of all ages. Associates and their guests are invited to give Associates a chance to see works With their diverse backgrounds and learn how the Barosso watercolors were from the collection up close; to converse interests, the Associates Board generates conserved through a tour led by Kelsey with curators, conservators, and Museum innovative ideas for additional program- conservators. staff; and to receive exciting updates on ming and benefits that can be passed Friday, November 9, 6:00 pm Kelsey fieldwork. along to the Associates and an even Champagne reception follows Another opportunity for Associates broader community audience. A recent Preregistration requested to engage with the Kelsey’s collection, Board meeting, facilitated by an external curators, and staff is the exhibition preview. consultant, was dedicated to brainstorm- Discount Days at the Kelsey Museum Shop Beginning with our latest exhibition, ing new ideas for expanding Kelsey As- Save 30 percent on your holiday shopping Conserving Antiquity, Associates will be sociates benefits as well as opportunities with your Kelsey Museum Associates introduced to the details of the exhibi- for program growth. membership card. tion process. From the original curatorial It is an exciting time to join the Associ- November 30–December 1, 1:00–4:00 pm non-profit organization u.s. postage paid 434 South State Street permit no. 144 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1390

Recent Conservation Projects at the Detroit FAST LECTURES (cosponsored by IPCAA) calendar of events Institute of Arts Negotiating the Pharaonic Past: by John Steele, Conservator of Sculpture New Research on Ptolemaic Abydos special EXHIBITION and Decorative Arts at the Detroit Insti- by Tom Landvatter, IPCAA PhD student Conserving Antiquity tute of Arts November 29, 5:30 pm, Kelsey Museum November 2–February 10 December 7, 6 pm, Kelsey Museum Urbanization in Anatolia: 450 BCE–50 CE related lectures Conservation at The Henry Ford: Large His- by Martin Wells, PhD, University of Conserving Ancient Abydos: tory Museums and Their Challenges Minnesota Discovery, Recovery, and Responsibility by Clara Deck, Senior Conservator at December 6, 5:30 pm, Kelsey Museum by Matthew Adams, Institute of Fine Arts, The Henry Ford New York University January 18, 6 pm, Kelsey Museum DROP-IN TOURS O My check is made payable to the University of Michigan. November 2, 6 pm, Aud. D, Angell Hall October 28 and December 9, 2–3 pm O I have enclosed a Matching Gift Form. O Charge my gift to O MasterCard O VISA O AMEX O Discover Enclosed is my gift of: O $10 Student O $35 Individual O $50 Family O $100 Contributor Account Number: O $250 Sponsor O $500 Patron O $1,000 Benefactor ______Other O Kelsey Associates Gifts Fund (303888) Name Expiration Date:

______Address Signature: ______Date:______name (required) (required) City State Zip ______address I/We pledge $______and will make gift payments: Email ______Giving Options: O Monthly O Quarterly O Semi-Annually city state zip O Annually over a period of ______years beginning ______Yes! I’d like to make a difference with my gift of Check enclosed made payable to the University of Michigan ______month/day/year home phone cell phone $10 Student $35 Individual $50 Dual/Individual Online at htt://www.lsa.umich.edu/kelsey/supporththekelsey Signature:______Date:______$100 Contributor $250 Sponsor $500 Patron (required) (required) Credit Card: AMEX Discover MasterCard VISA preferred e-mail $1000 Benefactor $______Other You may also make your gift online at Acct. # www.lsa.umich.edu/alumni/giveonline My gift to benefit: Exp. Date $______Kelsey Museum Associates (303888) signature required $______Other Museum program______$______Total Gift Please enclose your (or your spouse/partner’s) matching gift form to increase the value of your gift! Visit www.giving.umich.edu/matching for employer details. A:1157

EID# 303888 AGG BOA12 LS27