NEWSLETTER FAR HORIZONS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL TRIPS Volume 18, Number 1 • Spring 2013 Published Erratically by Far Horizons • P.O. Box 2546 • San Anselmo, CA 94979 USA

(800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • www.farhorizons.com • email: [email protected]

Dear Travelers, People’s perceptions of Bali are that it is a place of sun, surf, and FEATURED relaxation. But, oh, there is so much history to be revealed here. 250,000 year old fossilized human remains provide proof that JOURNEYS Bali has been occupied since early prehistoric times. Two thousand years ago, Hinduism was introduced by Brahmin priests who traveled with Indian merchants in search of the fabulous wealth of these islands. Over the centuries, the kings of Sri Lanka’s Pera Hera Festival Bali adopted the new religion along with its offshoot, Buddhism, is the largest and most colorful and royal families ruled until the Dutch conquered and in Asia. As the August moon colonized the island in 1850 and then the Japanese took control waxes in the Buddhist month during World War II. Hundreds of years of turmoil served to of Esala, the most flamboyant enrich and support the Balinese culture. The multi-religious of festivals takes over the environment that is currently present in Bali has served to medieval royal city of . influence its traditions, crafts, music and dance, exquisite For a week, the processions architecture and delicious cuisine. This stunning island is home include fire jugglers swinging flaming torches, lively acrobats, a cacophony of to more than a thousand captivating, alluring temples and percussionists pounding traditional drums, almost 5,000 dancers clanging finger shrines, set on beaches, perched high in the mountains, and cymbals, musicians, whip crackers, torch bearers, and as many as 100 wildly within terraces of lush, emerald rice paddies. Most are still in adorned (think flashing lights and lavish garments!) elephants. The tradition use today as witnessed by the profusion of offerings. Gods, dates back to about 300 B.C. and is intended to invoke the blessings of the gods deceased family members, and demons are treated by the for rain, fertility, successful crops and good health. Balinese as honored guests through the daily presentation of gifts ( banten ) of every imaginable shape, color and substance. And this lovely isle has so much more to offer. Sri Lanka's fascinating history And every day of the year, a colorful festival takes place in one spans at least three thousand years and the magnificent remains of each of these sacred spots with traditional dance, hypnotic gamelan civilization are stunning, including six UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites – music, along with the worship of divinities and ancestors. If ’s Old City; Kandy, ; the medieval capital of ; Bali is not on your ‘wish list’, I urge you to go quickly! founded in the 4th century B.C., and with its exquisite paintings. In 2010 a Far Horizons group followed In the Path of the Crusades on a journey that traversed the eastern Mediterranean Join Far Horizons for a 19-day tour of this enticing land, August 16 - overland from Istanbul to Jerusalem. This itinerary was so September 3, 2013 with Professor Emeritus Michael D. Coe. popular that we decided to add more theme trips to our roster: In the Path of the Olmecs (through Central Mexico), In the Path of the Crusader Knights (Cyprus, Bodrum, Rhodes and Malta), Let’s to London! and soon, Oman: In the Path of the Frankincense Trade. And how about In the Path of Genghis Khan through Mongolia and A one-week tour to the Greatest City in the Western World Northern China? Or In the Path of the Moors? Keep watching With Professor Robert Bucholz our website as we tempt you with new tours led by outstanding weavers of history. (featured lecturer on The Great Courses, formerly The Teaching Company) Charles II was restored to the throne of England in 1660 and with his ascension, I hope you enjoy our latest newsletter and will pass it along to Restoration London erupted with creative vigor after decades of civil war. Join friends. And keep watching our blog as we post interesting Far Horizons and Humanities West as we travel to this great city and sample tidbits on the latest archaeological and historic discoveries along London life in the company of historian and London expert, Robert Bucholz. In with tales from our travelers. the course of a week, we shall explore (by foot and underground) London's high Happy travels, streets, elegant squares, and obscure alleys, lanes and courts; make our court at Whitehall, Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace; avoid incarceration in Newgate and the Tower; edify ourselves with the monuments of the British Mary Dell Lucas Museum; survive the dangers of Plague, Fire and the Blitz; and cheer the Bard Founding Director at Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy all that life can afford May 17 - 25, 2014! My Experiences on China’s Silk Road

By Far Horizons participant Bevan Sharp (from Australia)

The flight out of Beijing was through mist so we could not see the ground, but after the mist cleared, we were flying over endless desert (it looked like outback Australia except that there were snow-capped mountains on the horizon) to western China. The antiquity of the region is mind blowing; we visited mosques that had been built before Christopher Columbus set sail, and they were almost 'modern'. We marveled at the Karez irrigation system. Starting some 2,000 years ago, the people dug horizontal holes up to 60 meters deep in the slopes from the mountains until they hit the water table, and then dug long vertical tunnels connecting other bores to channel the water to their crops, a vital component of the early Silk Road. We drove into the Taklimakan desert and mounted camels for an hour's ride through pristine sand dunes to the remains of the smallest Buddhist temple in the world that was unearthed in the desert. We entered the truly remarkable Mogao Caves, an amazing insight into the effect of the Silk Road over hundreds of years as they encompass a huge variety of cultures, religions, traditions and fables. Each one usually had a statue (or statues) to Buddha and they are painted with amazing murals. Originated in the 4th century, if all the murals in these caves were placed side by side and a meter deep, they would stretch for 35 kilometres. We had each made a donation to the work at the Mogao Caves and were taken to caverns where tourists are not allowed. One morning we visited the Sunday Livestock Market in Kashgar... what a madhouse! Vendors were selling cattle, sheep, donkeys and horses. Donkey carts, scooters and huge trucks were driving through the hundreds of milling people. We were walking past a large truck when a guy grabbed the halter on a bull and just pulled it off the back of the truck a meter drop to the ground, the animal's feet were slipping on the truck bed and showered us with 'bull ****'! In the horse market a guy seemed to be test driving a horse to purchase and was riding it flat out, back-and-forth through the crowd. We traveled on aircraft, small buses, camels, donkey cart and a train. (At one stage on the long train ride I had three little Chinese kids on my lap pushing each other to play a video game on my computer.) Wandering through the back streets we saw traditional medicine shops with dried snakes and assorted animals hanging outside; there were open 'bins' seething with scorpions, even a live squirrel I thought was a pet but was destined to be included in a medicine. I saw a sign on a restaurant for 'Mustafa's Muslim Hamburgers'. I went on the trip to learn about the history, trials, tribulations and experiences of Silk Road voyagers and my expectations were exceeded. Join Far Horizons and travel China’s Silk Road October 12 - 28, 2013.

2 • www.farhorizons.com The Case of the Missing King: The Tomb of Antiochos I at Nemrud Dag

By Dr. Jennifer Tobin

The small kingdom of Commagene, today located in Eastern Turkey, is nestled between the broad flood plain of the Euphrates River and the snowy peaks of the Taurus Mountains. Its long history speaks of the region’s canny ability to survive the many invaders that marched through the realm: Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans, all laid claim to the region at various times. The remoteness of the kingdom, as well as the clever diplomacy of the leaders Join Far Horizons and of Commagene usually assured self-rule; the kings of Commagene promised travel Eastern Turkey fealty to their various overlords but maintained jurisdiction at home. May 17 - June 1, 2014.

The most intriguing of these kings was Antiochos I, who became a “client king” of Rome in 64 B.C. This king, rightly proud of his ability to negotiate virtual independence with the great power of the west, celebrated himself and his endeavors by creating one of the most impressive tombs from antiquity. Located on Nemrud Dag, one of the highest summits of the Anti-Taurus Range, Antiochos I’s tomb towers 2,150 meters, or roughly 6,000 feet above sea level. The actual tomb of the king was an immense tumulus of gravel, measuring over 150 feet high. Flanking the mound on the east and west were terraces that boasted colossal seated statues of gods, today tumbled to the ground by the fierce earthquakes that plague the region. Present among them was an enormous portrait of King Antiochos I himself, who in death was deified. Along the back of the row of seated gods on the eastern terrace runs a long inscription in Greek (the longest ever discovered in Turkey) identifying the place as the tomb of Antiochos I from whence his soul would rise to Zeus. It commands that the anniversaries of the king’s birth and accession to the throne should be celebrated monthly, and that all his subjects should come and enjoy feasts and music. The colossal statues were to be crowned with gold on those days and priests in Persian costume would officiate. The inscription concludes with the assurance that the tomb should be maintained as a noble example of piety for future generations, declaring a blessing on Summer those honoring Antiochos I’s wishes and a curse on those who do not. Solstice Antiochus I died sometime in the 30’s B.C. There are two versions of his demise: one that he died peacefully, and another that he was murdered in a in Peru palace coup. It has always been assumed that Antiochos I was buried within the tumulus on Nemrud Dag, but despite all efforts no tomb chamber has A line of 2,300-year-old stone towers in the ever been discovered. One curious detail remains, however. The inscription northern part of Peru form the oldest known describes monthly feasts for what would have been thousands of diners, yet solar observatory in the Americas. Along with not a single piece of pottery has ever been recovered from the region around Dr. Ivan Ghezzi, the archaeologist who made the tomb. Is it possible that the tomb was never used? If King Antiochos I was the discovery, and archeo-astronomer and indeed murdered, then his tomb may never have been occupied, and the strict Griffith Observatory Director, Dr. E.C. Krupp, rules of conduct he wrote on the backs of the statues were never enforced. If you can be at Chankillo to watch the sun that was the case, then the tomb atop Nemrud Dag might be considered one of rise over it on June 21st – summer solstice. the great ironies of the ancient world: a king who negotiated peace with And if you can’t go this year, plan on joining our 2014 trip. Rome but was brought down by a local intrigue, and a resplendent tomb, one of the grandest in history, left vacant and unused. www.farhorizons.com • 3 Postcard from Secrets of South India the Ephesus Theater

By Dr. Julie Langford Experience private tours by the directors of the three most important Eastern Mediterranean ancient cities - Ephesus, Hattusa, Troy - Cheres toutes, on Turkish Treasures, The tour to South India officially ended last night… September It has to be near the top of the list of my favorite destinations. 7 - 22, 2013.

We have benefited greatly from an exceptional guide When the Apostle Paul arrived in Ephesus in 52 A.D., the city who has gone beyond his job requirements to expose us to a variety of experiences probably not was one of the largest and wealthiest in Asia Minor. It was home available to most tourists. We have visited villages to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of whose people have opened their homes to us, whether Artemis of Ephesus, nearly twice the size of the Parthenon in a one room dirt floor abode without running water or Athens. A cottage industry of silversmiths grew up around the electricity or some more elaborate but still basic Temple that produced and sold shrines, presumably miniature ones according to our standard. We have stayed in ancient palaces and colonial homes which have been replicas of Artemis' temple. The city also boasted a beautiful turned into hotels. We have been to all kinds of theater, which, when Paul arrived, was in the process of being markets, be it covered markets, beef or goat markets, enlarged and refurbished by the Emperor Claudius. livestock or fish off the boat market… Not to mention the tea and coffee plantations we drove By 57 A.D., Paul had developed enough of a following of through over the spice mountains. The South Indian Christians that a silversmith, Demetrius, noticed a drop in his cuisine is excellent with a lot of vegetarian sales. Demetrius was apparently a man of some influence since offerings, all flavorful and tasty with a cacophony he gathered a mob that seized two of Paul's followers and then of spices! We went into a silk cocoon market where 200 pounds bags were transported across the street occupied the theater for hours shouting, "Great is Artemis of the in crazy traffic by a man on a bike carrying 3 of Ephesians!" When Paul's follower -- a Jew -- attempted to address those bags, one on his head, one on his back and the the crowd, a full-scale riot nearly broke out. It was dispersed only third on the bar handle and he was rushing after his when a city official pleaded with the crowd. purchase because these cocoons must be used illico presto. They have a short shelf life and must be What Acts leaves unsaid, however, is that theaters and thrown in boiling water fairly quickly. I tried to amphitheaters were homes not just to plays, games and oratorical push one of these bags and it would not budge! contests, but venues in which the populace communicated with The overall picture in South India is one of vibrant their leaders. Much larger and sophisticated than "The Wave" that colors… beautiful women in saris while men mostly occurs in modern stadia, ancient theaters witnessed thousands of wear sarongs that they pull up and wear like mini- people synchronistically stomping and clapping out rhythms skirts (more convenient for walking in the heat). The little girls stand out in their bright clothes while chanting complex rhymes. Civic leaders hosting the games whereas the boys wear mostly western clothes. These found these messages sometimes humiliating and hard to ignore. children all try their few words of English every The emperor Nero was so taken by these cavea performances that chance they get and they are full of joy and he imported chant leaders from Greek cities to Rome so that his laughter. subjects might better praise his performances. Thinking of you all as I’m off to my next adventure! Under Roman occupation, Ephesians held gladiatorial games and Huge hugs, executed criminals in this theater. These unfortunate wrong-doers Claudine were dressed as mythological figures and forced to reenact the stories. After this humiliating experience, the criminals were Join Far Horizons for a thrown ad bestias, to the beasts. This is just one of the penalties 18-day tour to South India, assigned to rebellious Christians who refused to drop a pinch of January 11 - 28, 2014 incense in the brazier on behalf of the Emperor. with Professor Daud Ali.

4 • www.farhorizons.com Far Horizons Schedule of Trips All Dates and Prices Subject to Change • Revised 4/1/13 EUROPE & TURKEY Eastern Turkey's Lost Kingdoms From the mountains of eastern Anatolia, to the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates, to the Cilician plain, through visiting temples, monasteries, and mosques, cities and castles, and the historic towns of the region, with only 13 others experience the history and culture of this crossroad of civilizations. May 17 - June 1, 2014 with Professor Jennifer Tobin ...... $9,895.00 Let's to London co-sponsored with Humanities West Charles II was restored to the throne of England in 1660 and with his ascension, Restoration London erupted with creative vigor after decades of civil war. Travel with Far Horizons and Humanities West on a 9-day journey to uncover London’s glorious past and explore the city that invented the modern world. May 17 - 25, 2014 with Professor Robert Bucholz ...... $6,850.00+air Glorious Greece This 16-day journey through Greece explores both the celebrated and more remote remains of the many civilizations that have passed across this land. Spend three days in Athens, travel through the Peloponnese Peninsula, and end with spectacular Delphi, Santorini and Creté. May 24 - June 7, 2014 with Professor Thomas F. X. Noble ...... $9,495.00 Rome & Southern Italy Travel to Rome and explore the largest archaeological park in the world, a capital that was the center of the known world for centuries. Examine the chief elements of ancient Rome and its civilization at impressive monuments and museums before traveling south to the remarkable sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum. May 27 - June 6, 2014 with Professor Steven L. Tuck ...... $8,995.00 + air Sicily: Art and Archaeology Circle this beautiful isle and learn about its rich history with visits to Agrigento, Villa Romana del Casale, Monreale, the fortified medieval village of Erice, the glorious temples at Selinunte, the perfect sanctuary at Segesta, the magnificent Norman Cathedral at Cefalù, and Taormina’s superb Roman amphitheater. May 31 - June 14, 2014 with Professors Jeremy and Maud McInerney ...... $9,895.00 The Crusader Knights: Cyprus, Bodrum, Rhodes and Malta After the fall of Jerusalem, the Knights of the Order of Saint John the Hospitaller sought refuge in the Kingdom of Cyprus, and then Rhodes. Two hundred years later, Suleiman’s forces drove the Knights from that island and they were then established on Malta where they fought pirates instead of the infidels. June 1 - 15, 2014 with Professor Brett Whalen ...... $9,995.00 Cathedrals of France Since the Christianization of Europe in the 4th century, cathedrals have served both as centers of ecclesiastical authority and marvels of architectural genius and innovation. Explore the evolution of the Gothic cathedrals, visiting such stunning sites as Chartes, Amiens, Reims and, of course, picturesque Notre Dame in Paris. May 21 - 31, 2014 with Professor William R. Cook ...... CALL Greek Isles of Myth: Crete, Santorini and the Cyclades Explore the enchanting culture and rich history of the Greek Islands on this 14-day journey. Walk the grand halls of the Mycenaean center of Knossos. Visit the spectacular Minoan site of Akrotiri on Santorini. And embrace the culture of the Cycladic islands: Paros, Naxos, and Delos. June 7 - 20, 2014 with Professor Steven L. Tuck ...... $9,595.00 An Exploration of Wales and England Although Wales shares a close political and social history with the rest of Great Britain, the country has retained a distinct cultural identity. On this tour, we will explore the historical origins of this unique land as we visit remnants of prehistoric, Roman, medieval and industrial sites in Wales and Western England. June 6 - 20, 2014 with Dr. James Bruhn ...... $8,695.00 + air The Riches of Scotland From the English border to the Orkney Islands, enjoy many of the historic and archaeological sites that few visitors manage to find - prehistoric stone circles and chambered tombs, glorious abbeys and cathedrals, and medieval castles. August 2 - 17, 2014 with archaeologist Brian Buchanan ...... $8,495.00 + air Turkish Treasures With only eleven others enjoy private tours of three of the most important archaeological projects in the eastern Mediterranean - Hattusha, capital of the Hittite Empire; Troy, and Ephesus. Also visit five of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Sagalassos, Pergamum, Cappadocia, Assos, and more. September 7 - 22, 2013 with Professor Julie Langford ...... $8,995.00 September 6 - 21, 2014 with Study Leader to be announced ...... $9,495.00 An Archaeological Pub Crawl of Great Britain Explore prehistoric stone circles and chambered tombs, walk in the footsteps of Roman armies along Hadrian's Wall, and savor the view from battlements of medieval castles in remote and beautiful areas of Britain - and rarely be far distant from a source of liquid replenishment. September 14 - 26, 2014 with Dr. James Bruhn ...... $7,995.00 + air Greece & Turkey: a Voyage through History The Greek Dodecanese Islands are scattered like tiny jewels through the azure waters of the Aegean Sea hugging the coast of Turkey. Travel with only eight others by Turkish wooden yacht to explore Kos, Nisyros, Tilos, Simi, Rhodes, and learn about the thousands of years of history along the way. September 28 - October 11, 2014 with Professor Garrett Fagan ...... $9,295.00 THE MIDDLE EAST & ARABIA Israel: Journey through Antiquity Travel with only 13 others along the paths of antiquity to Caesarea, Bet She'an, Bethlehem - names that reverberate with history. Experience six UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Acre, Mamshit, Be'er Sheva, Tel Aviv’s White City, Megiddo, Baha'i Gardens, and spend three full days in Jerusalem. September 30 - October 13, 2013 with Professor Yorke Rowan ...... $9,995.00 Iran: Empires of Everlasting Fire Embrace the cultural diversity of Iran! Follow the path of the author of the first human rights charter, Cyrus the Great, and his powerful Achmaenid dynasty at sites like Pasargad and Persepolis. Travel to Isfahan, Shiraz, and other sites, and witness the way in which previous empires have left their indelible mark. April 9 - 25, 2014 with Professor Lloyd John Llewellyn-Jones ...... $9,995.00 The Grandeur of Petra, The Splendors of Jordan Jordan has captivated travelers and conquerors alike with its beauty and mystery. View the celebrated mosaics of Madaba and prehistoric ‘Ain Ghazal where huge, unique statues were discovered. Finally, spend three days exploring the 2,500 year old Petra, full of amazing rock carved buildings. April 6 - 19, 2014 with Professor Gary Rollefson ...... $8,295.00 Oman: In the Path of the Frankincense Trade See what may be the only ziggurat in Arabia, impressive fortress-castles that are reminders of Oman's unruly past, the 3000-year-old city of Ubar, recently found using NASA Satellite imagery, four UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Aflaj irrigation systems, Bat tombs, Bahla Fort, and The Land of Frankincense. November 1 - 16, 2014 with Professor John France ...... CALL

(800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • email: [email protected] • web page: www.farhorizons.com Far Horizons Schedule of Trips All Dates and Prices Subject to Change • Revised 4/1/13

EGYPT AND AFRICA Undiscovered Egypt Explore some of the most historically important, yet often unvisited, sites in Egypt: Tanis, Alexandria, Amarna (with a private tour led by the archaeologist working there), and recently opened tombs near Saqqara (closed to the public). The trip culminates with a cruise down the Nile aboard a traditional Egyptian sailing yacht. November 2 - 15, 2013 with Professor Bob Brier and art historian Patricia Remler ...... $10,995.00 Sudan: An Exploration of Ancient Kush Travel through the deserts of northern Sudan where towering pyramids, gigantic mud-brick buildings, painted rock-cut tombs, and ornately carved temples await discovery. This is the land of Kush where, fed by the richness of the river, remarkable civilizations developed more than 4,000 years ago. January 18 - February 1, 2014 with Professor Bob Brier and art historian Patricia Remler ...... $9,995.00 + air Ethiopia: The Wonders of the Horn of Africa In its mountainous isolation Ethiopians developed a sophisticated culture based on a deep love of Christianity. Explore the fascinating remains of this culture, including the underground churches of Lalibela, join the colorful Easter celebrations in Axum, visit Gondar and Bahir Dar, and enjoy a boat ride on Lake Tana. April 12 - 26, 2014 with Dr. Cinzia Perlingieri ...... $9,495.00 The Majesty of Egypt Travel from Cairo to Luxor to Aswan to Abu Simbel, and experience awe-inspiring events as Far Horizons opens sites closed to the public - the richly-painted tombs of Seti I and Nefertari, the Red Pyramid and Sakkara's Unas Temple, and the burial chamber of the Great Pyramid. November 1 - 14, 2014 with Professor Bob Brier and art historian Patricia Remler ...... CALL INDIA, ASIA and CHINA Sri Lanka See the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic; Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka; the Royal Palace in Polonnaruwa; Fortified Galle; the sacred city of Kandy, and Dambulla Cave Temple – all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. August 16 - September 3, 2013 with Professor Emeritus Michael D. Coe ...... $9,995.00 August 6 - 25, 2014 with Dr. Ruth Young ...... $9,995.00 Central Asia: Following the Ancient Silk Road through Three Countries Travel along the ageless Silk Road that for millennia was the link between the great civilizations of Europe and Asia. Follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Genghiz Khan, Marco Polo, and Tamerlane. Experience Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand – names that reverberate with compelling history. September 28 - October 18, 2013 with Professor John E. Woods ...... $9,295.00 China : Along the Silk Road See the renowned Mogao Caves' ornate Buddhist cave paintings, explore one of the world's oldest continuous markets in Kashgar, learn about the Uighur culture, and travel through the Taklamakan Desert by camel to see the earliest Buddhist pagoda in Khotan. Visit Turpan, Kuqa and Urumqi and much more. October 12 - 28, 2013 with Dr. Suzanne Cahill ...... $9,995.00 South India: Temples and Traditions Travel into an area of India which has managed to retain the essence of its mystique despite invasions both historical and modern. From Hampi to Karaikudi to Tanjore, the temples visited contain some of the greatest architectural and sculptural achievements in India. January 11 - 28, 2014 with Professor Daud Ali ...... $9,995.00 Angkor Wat and Laos An exciting 17-day trip through historically-rich Cambodia and Laos that includes six full days at Angkor, and the bustle of Phnom Penh. In Laos, see Vat Phou, certainly one of the most spectacular of the Khmer cities, and the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang and the capital, Vientiane. January 4 - 20, 2014 with Dr. Damian Evans ...... $9,995.00 North India Explore India with its copious smells of incense, cacophony of sounds, succulent cuisine and drinks, and wealth of ancient architecture. Visit ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the incomparable Taj Mahal, and Khajarajo with it's beautifully decorated temples. Explore Varanasi, Aurangabad and Jaipur. January 4 - 19, 2014 with Study Leader to be announced ...... $10,495.00 Burma (Myanmar) Explore the Land of the Golden Pagodas. In Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with 30 tons of gold. In Bagan more than two thousand spires rise above the horizon. Spend two weeks enjoying not just the fascinating history but the hospitality of the Burmese people. November 30 - December 17, 2014 with Dr. Charlotte Galloway ...... CALL OCEANIA Bali: Island Paradise and Cultural Enigmas In Bali, spirituality, religion, tradition and art blend into a unique form of Hinduism that is found nowhere else. This special itinerary includes colorful ceremonies within richly decorated Temple complexes, visits to artisans, fascinating archaeological sites and three UNESCO World Heritage sites. September 27 - October 12, 2013 with Professor Leo Howe ...... $9,795.00 Chile and Easter Island's Tapati Festival Explore Easter Island's immense stone statues, perplexing petroglyphs, and vibrant cave paintings. The trip is timed to include the wonderful Tapati Festival, a time of revelry and feasts and of honoring the culture - both past and present. Also including three days exploring Santiago, Chile and nearby coastal towns. January 29 - February 9, 2014 with Dr. Sidsel Millerstro¨ m ...... $8,295.00 + air THE AMERICAS Mexico: In the Path of the Olmecs Travel with renowned Olmec scholar, Professor Kent Reilly, through the Veracruz lowlands to San Bartolo to La Venta to Chalcatzingo, home to the colossal heads and finely carved sculptures emblematic of the Olmec style were found. March 14 - 23, 2014 with Professor F. Kent Reilly III ...... $6,995.00 Capital Cities of the Ancient Maya Explore the capital cities of the ancient Maya. See Copan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quiriguá, Tikal's towering temples, Yaxchilán, the delicate paintings at Bonampak, and Palenque, arguably the most beautiful of the cities. Spend the last two days in the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas. March 1 - 13, 2014 with Study Leader to be announced ...... $7,595.00 Peru: Inkas & Their Ancestors From the Moche cities of the north to the fabled Inka sites of the highlands, experience the wealth of Peru's archaeological past. Caral, Chanquillo, ChanChan, Ollantaytambo, and the imcomparable Machu Picchu all await you, along with an opportunity to fly over the enigmatic Nazca Lines. June 18 - July 3, 2014 with Dr. William Sapp ...... $9,395.00

(800) 552-4575 • (415) 482-8400 • fax (415) 482-8495 • email: [email protected] • web page: www.farhorizons.com By Dr. Maud McInerney Sicily’s Did You Know? Monreale Because Far Horizons participants have such a high level of intellectual curiosity, Cathedral we are creating a new section on our blog - http://www.farhorizons.com/blog and where short ‘bites’ of information about recent archaeological and historical discoveries will Religious be posted weekly. Below are some tidbits to tempt you to visit our blog frequently. Diversity

Between their arrival in Normandy in the 880s, as Vikings (or ANOTHER ROYAL CITY HAS BEEN “Northmen”) and their conquest of England in 1066, the Normans transformed themselves from Northern barbarians FOUND IN SUDAN: Researchers have into one of the most powerful cultural forces ever to leave a found the remains of 35 pyramids in the mark on the Western world. Sicily, conquered by the Normans archaeological site of Sedeinga on the left bank in 1071, became for the space of more than a century, one of the of the Nile in Sudan. The entire site is huge, most diverse and complex societies of the Middle Ages. In the covering more than 30 hectares, and has a range eleventh century, the island’s population was divided roughly of monuments from the temple of Queen Tiye, equally between Christians and Muslims, and also included a wife of Amenhotep III, built in the second half small but prosperous Jewish minority. Palermo had mosques of the 14th century B.C. to a 10th century A.D. and synagogues as well as Christian churches. Greek, Latin, Christian church. French and Arabic were all spoken in the streets, and the citizens of the island were governed by laws that drew on Byzantine, RAMESSES III DIED FROM A Jewish, Muslim and Norman practice. CUT THROAT IN HAREM COUP: The cathedral of Monreale (the “royal mountain”) in Palermo A 3,000-year-old trial record that was translated stands as an extraordinary monument to this rare society. Built into English and published as early as 1865, (amazingly fast!) between 1174 and 1185 by William II, it documents the aftermath of the Harem expresses in its architecture and decoration an extraordinary Conspiracy in which Queen Tiye, one of balance between East and West, between Romanesque and Pharoah Ramesses III’s wives, enlisted the aid Byzantine architecture, between Catholic and Orthodox religious of members of the pharaoh’s household to practice, between Christian and Muslim aesthetics. The bronze assassinate him while he spent the evening in doors of the Cathedral (rare examples of a nearly lost art) depict the royal harem. Recent study of his mummy the history of Man from Genesis to the Ascension of Christ, clearly shows that a deep slice through his neck while the interior of the cathedral houses a series of golden was the cause of his death. mosaics, Byzantine in style, that are unique in their preservation and in the unity of the artistic vision inspiring them. THE WORLD’S OLDEST TEMPLE Among these mosaics, one in particular recalls the bonds of MAY BE IN TURKEY: Located in culture and blood that linked the various Norman overlords to southeastern Turkey, Gobekli Tepe is one of each other: it depicts Saint Thomas à Becket whose murder in the most startling archaeological discoveries the Cathedral at Canterbury in 1170 shocked the entire Christian of our time: massive carved stones about world and threatened the throne of Henry II of England, one of 11,000 years old, crafted and arranged by the most powerful rulers in Europe, who was accused of the prehistoric people who had not yet developed murder. Henry did penance for the death of Thomas, and metal tools or even pottery. The megaliths Thomas was canonized in 1173. Henry’s daughter Joanna, whose predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. marriage had been put on hold during her father’s troubles, married William II of Sicily in 1177, while the Cathedral was still under construction. The Monreale image of Thomas à Becket is the earliest known representation of the martyr. It is hard not to wonder how it affected the English princess arriving from so far away. Did it seem like a reminder of her father’s crime? Or was it part of a larger familial impulse towards penance? Either way, the presence of St. Thomas in the Cathedral and Monreale is a potent reminder of both the reach and the limits of Norman power in the medieval world. Join Far Horizons and travel to Bird carvings at Gobekli Tepe. Sicily May 31 - June 14, 2014.

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Dear Seth, Postcard from Travel to Easter Island Easter Island is the epitome of an island paradise.The varying hues of green lands and January 29 - February 9, 2014 Easter Island bright blue ocean waters, punctuated by dirt-red stone (red scoria, used for the moai topknots) make for a visual delight, almost like looking at a perfectly composed painting. In the village of Hanga Roa, where we’ve made our home since arriving, the few streets are lined with fragrant gardens of tropical plants and bright flowers, easily picked and used as an alluring hair decoration (only for the ladies!). And, because we are here during the Tapati Festival, the Rapanui musical sounds of ukulele and soothing song constantly resonate in the background as a soundtrack to our journey. Every day, a new adventure awaits us. Now adjusted to the more lackadaisical pace of the island, we depart the hotel at a ‘civilized’ hour in search of ever more moai to gaze upon in awe. Though all stops present endless picturesque photo opportunities, for me Ahu Tongariki is the most stunning. Located on the southwestern corner of the island with Rano Raraku volcano/quarry looming in the background, it is the largest ahu on the island with fifteen moai statues restored. Being the only group on site - which has become the norm for us spoiled tourists - only adds to our appreciation of the statues’ grandeur. Wild horses graze on the plains here and just behind me sit the moai heads frozen on the slope of Rano Raraku, watching over us and the goings on, as they have done for centuries. Upon our guide’s insistence, I stand in emulation of these rock statues at just the right angle, so I could be immortalized as the sixteen moai at Tongariki. The best souvenir of the trip! Back in Hanga Roa, we retreat to our charming rooms at Hotel O’tai for an afternoon respite. It has become a tradition for our group to take a leisurely stroll down the few blocks to the harbor for a luscious gelato (chocolate for me, of course) and cappuccino at Mi Kafe. We sit and watch gleeful children playfully swim as gentle tides lap against the sides of the boats anchored at bay. If we are lucky, we catch a glimpse of the oft-lingering sea turtle who I have affectionately (and arbitrarily) named ‘Fred.’ One could stay in this place forever!

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