Upcoming Events

AIA Archaeology Hour:  Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia

Speaker:  Professor Tate Paulette, hosted by Professor Jacob Damm (Worcester Society Vice President)

Time and Date:  8-9pm Wednesday, September 17

Location:  on Zoom, please click this link to register

About:  The inhabitants of the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers gave us the world’s first cities, first kings, first writing. They also built the world’s first great beer culture. They loved their beer: its colors, textures, tastes, and intoxicating effects. They sipped it through long reed straws and praised it in song and story. They drank beer at home, on the job, and in neighborhood taverns--also at feasts, festivals and religious ceremonies. In this talk, Tate Paulette introduces his new book, In the Land of Ninkasi:  A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia. This authoritative but light-hearted account explains exactly what we know about the beers, brewers, and drinkers of ancient Mesopotamia, how we know it, and what puzzles still remain to be solved. 

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AIA Local Lecture:  Tutankhamun’s Funeral:  What We Know from KV62

Speaker:  Dr. Nicholas R. Brown, Yale University

Time and Date:  7-8pm Wednesday, October 22

Location:  Rehm Library, College of the Holy Cross (location; parking)

About:  Dr. Brown’s presentation, titled "Tutankhamun’s Funeral- What We Know from KV62," will explore what the archaeological record reveals about the state funeral in ancient Egypt. Dr. Brown will analyze the unique funeral procession scene depicted in the tomb's Burial Chamber and its connection to a funerary rite known as the “Awakening of Osiris.” This  talk will show how these images and artifacts were meant to transform the king into a divine being.

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AIA Sponsored Event:  Pattern-Making Workshop

Artist:  Zahra Almajidi

Time and Date:  2-5pm Sunday, November 16

Location:  Islamic Society of Greater Worcester (location)

Info:  On Sunday, November 16, there will be an AIA-sponsored hands-on activity with Detroit-based artist Zahra Almajidi at the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester. Zahra Almajidi is a visual artist who uses traditional metalsmithing techniques and CAD/CAM processes to re-create folk art. This workshop will explore pattern-making. Space for the workshop is limited so please click here to register.

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AIA National Lecture:  The Queens of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace:  Beauty, Power, and Presence in the Neo-Assyrian World, c. 865–705 BCE

Speaker:  Professor Amy Gansell, St. John's University

Time and Date:  4-5pm Tuesday, November 18

Location:  Rehm Library, College of the Holy Cross (location; parking)

Abstract:  Nearly three thousand years ago, at the ancient site of Nimrud (near modern Mosul, Iraq), a succession of ten Neo-Assyrian kings reigned in collaboration with their queens from the magnificence of the Northwest Palace, the seat of the empire and center of their world. Too often overshadowed by the well documented legacy of Neo-Assyrian kings, this presentation illuminates the queens who reigned with them. Piece by piece, and layer by layer, across about 150 years of evidence, we discover the beauty, power, and presence of Nimrud’s Northwest Palace queens in life, death, and for eternity.

See this event on the AIA website and add it to your calendar.

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AIA Related Event:  "Like the Stars of Heaven":  Jewelry in Ancient Assyria

Speakers:  Professor Amy Gansell, artist Zahra Almajidi, and Professor Elizabeth Knott (Worcester Society Director of Outreach)

Time and Date:  6-7:30pm Tuesday, November 18

Location:  Worcester Public Library (location)

Info:  Professor Amy Gansell and artist Zahra Almajidi will come together with Worcester AIA Director of Outreach Elizabeth Knott to discuss jewelry and adornment in ancient Iraq at the Worcester Public Library. “‘Like the Stars of Heaven’: Jewelry in Ancient Assyria” will take a close look at an ancient artwork from the Worcester Art Museum. Please click here to register.