Archives Scrapbooks

The image is a scanned copy of an article from "The Harvard Crimson," dated October 28, 1930. The article is titled, "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages." The content of the article discusses the exhibition of artifacts and findings from a Harvard University archaeological expedition to Mesopotamia, which was carried out in the northern section of Iraq near the present city of Kirkuk.

The article highlights the significance of the excavation site as the former city of Nuzi, which was inhabited for 3,500 years. It mentions the work done by Harvard University in conjunction with the American School of Oriental Research and the contributions of Edward Cheira, Robert H. Pfeiffer, and R.F.S. Starr. The article also describes the variety of objects on display, including inscriptions, household utensils, and sculptures, and provides insights into the artistic and cultural heritage of the region. The piece aims to showcase the importance of these findings to both laymen and specialists.

This image is a printed article from "The Harvard Crimson," dated October 28, 1930. The headline reads, "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages." The article discusses an exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum showcasing the findings from Harvard's archaeological expeditions in Mesopotamia, specifically in the area around the ancient city of Nuzi in present-day Iraq. It highlights the importance of these findings both scientifically and artistically, mentioning various artifacts such as inscribed cuneiform tablets, sculptures, and household utensils. The article also touches on the historical context of Mesopotamian art and architecture, noting the work of early archaeologists Layard and Botta. The text is formatted in three columns, and the paper has some visible wear and tear, indicating its age. There are also three hole punches on the right side of the page, suggesting it was once part of a binder.

This image displays a single, aged newspaper clipping from October 28, 1930, published by The Harvard Crimson.

The article is titled:
Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages

Content Summary:

The article announces and reviews an exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum showcasing artifacts and findings from Harvard University's Mesopotamian archaeological expedition.

Key points covered in the article:

1. Exhibition Details:

   • The exhibition was open for a limited time, set to close on the Saturday following its publication (November 1, 1930).
   • It featured artifacts from Harvard’s three-year excavation project in Iraq, conducted in collaboration with the American School of Oriental Research.

2. Historical Context & Significance:

   • Focuses on the excavation site of Kirkuk (ancient Nuzi), a once-thriving city that had been a desert mound for 3500 years.
   • Praises the expedition's success in uncovering detailed insights into the "lives and customs" of the people who lived there before the city's destruction around 1500 B.C.

3. Artifacts Highlighted:

   • Inscribed Cuneiform Tablets: Noted for their completeness and precision, offering a "business man’s file" of administrative records.
   • Glazed Terracotta Sculpture: Specifically mentions a "lion couchant" (reclining lion) in terra cotta with turquoise-colored glaze, considered a prime example of Babylonian artistry and a "masterpiece of modelling."
   • Household Utensils: Includes a notable "bronze censer" in the shape of a boar's head, noted for its realistic power and feeling, contrasting with more stylized Assyrian art.
   • Architectural Models: Discusses models of mud-brick buildings (private houses, the great palace, and the temple), emphasizing their value for reconstructing ancient architecture.

4. Artistic Analysis:

   • The article differentiates between the more naturalistic Babylonian style (associated with Nuzi) and the more stylized Assyrian art.
   • Highlights the "boldness of design, a delicacy and subtlety of modelling" in the Babylonian pieces, which were "conventionally without being imitative."
   • Calls the exhibit valuable for both the "casual museum visitor" and the "professional scientist," offering a comprehensive review not found elsewhere.

5. Tone:

   • The article is written with a tone of scholarly admiration and excitement, emphasizing the exhibition's importance for both academic research and public appreciation of ancient art and life.

Physical Appearance of the Clipping:

• The paper is aged, appearing yellowish-beige, suggesting its age.
• It has three binder holes punched vertically along its right edge, indicating it was likely stored in a binder.
• The text is set in a standard serif font typical of newspapers of the era, arranged in three columns.
• The headline is prominently displayed in a larger, bold font.

In essence, the clipping is a historical record of a significant archaeological exhibition at Harvard in 1930, celebrating the university’s discoveries and their contribution to understanding Mesopotamian civilization through both scientific and artistic lenses.

This image is a newspaper clipping from the Harvard Crimson, dated October 28, 1930. The clipping reports on an exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum, which showcases findings from the Harvard University expedition to Mesopotamia. The exhibition aims to illustrate the progress and results of Harvard's past three years of excavations in Iraq. The article highlights various artifacts, including a lion figure, clay tablets, and glass objects, emphasizing their artistic and historical significance. It also discusses the importance of these findings for both scientific and artistic purposes, as well as their value in understanding the lives and customs of the people of Mesopotamia. The exhibition is open to the public until the following Friday, closing on Saturday.

The image depicts a page from an old newspaper, specifically from "The Harvard Crimson," dated October 28, 1930. The page is primarily focused on an article titled "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages."

The article is structured into several paragraphs, each discussing different aspects of the exhibition. The text is written in a formal and descriptive style, typical of newspaper articles from that era.

The article begins by highlighting the significance of the exhibition, which showcases findings from the Harvard Mesopotamian expedition. It emphasizes the importance of the artifacts in understanding the past and their artistic and scientific value. The text mentions specific items such as cuneiform tablets, glazed tiles, and various sculptures, noting their historical and cultural significance.

The article also discusses the broader context of the exhibition, mentioning the contributions of different archaeologists and researchers involved in the expedition. It describes the meticulous process of excavation and the challenges faced by the team.

Additionally, the article touches on the aesthetic and artistic aspects of the displayed objects, comparing them to works of art from different periods and cultures. It notes the influence of Mesopotamian art on later artistic traditions and the unique characteristics of the artifacts.

The layout of the page is straightforward, with the headline at the top followed by the body of the article. The text is printed in a clear, legible font, and the page appears to be in good condition, with no visible tears or significant wear.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the historical and cultural significance of the Fogg Art Museum's exhibition, showcasing the findings of the Harvard Mesopotamian expedition and the artistic and scientific value of the displayed objects.

The image is a scanned page from The Harvard Crimson, dated October 28, 1930. The headline at the top reads: "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages."

Content Overview:

The article discusses an exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum showcasing artifacts and findings from a Harvard expedition to Mesopotamia. The exhibition, which opened on Saturday and was set to close that week, highlights the results of three years of excavations in Iraq, past the territory of ancient civilizations such as the Tigris and Euphrates regions. The article emphasizes the historical and artistic significance of the discoveries, which include:

1. Archaeological Context:

   • The expedition focused on the ancient city of Nuzi, located in the northern section of Kirkuk, Iraq. Nuzi was a flourishing city around 2900 BCE, serving as the center of a community for over three years.
   • Excavations were conducted under the direction of Edward Chiera, Robert H. Pfeiffer, and R. F. S. Starr, who provided an extremely accurate depiction of the lives and customs of the people who inhabited the area.

2. Artifacts and Discoveries:

   • The exhibition includes a variety of objects, such as tablets, statues, and pottery, illustrating the artistic and scientific achievements of ancient Mesopotamian cultures.
   • Notable artifacts mentioned include:
     • Incomplete cuneiform tablets showing the incompleteness and precision of ancient record-keeping.
     • Household utensils, indicating the daily life of the people.
     • Bronze figures, including a Babylonian lion and a Babylonian bronze figure of a baby, which demonstrate artistic skill and realism.
     • Terra cotta figurines, such as the figure of Nuzi, which is described as a prime example of Babylonian art.
     • Pottery, including pieces from the Han dynasty in China, which were found in Mesopotamia, highlighting cross-cultural exchanges.

3. Cultural and Historical Significance:

   • The article discusses the archaeological importance of the finds, noting that they provide insight into the daily life, customs, and artistic achievements of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.
   • It emphasizes the scientific and artistic value of the artifacts, which are described as both purely scientific and of artistic importance.
   • The exhibition is noted to be of interest to philologists, anthropologists, art lovers, and anyone interested in the achievements of ancient civilizations.

4. Exhibition Details:

   • The exhibition is described as illustrating the results of Harvard’s past three years of excavations in Iraq.
   • It is noted that the exhibition is open to the public, inviting those interested in the past achievements of mankind to view the artifacts.

Visual Layout:

• The page is formatted in a typical newspaper style, with a clear headline, subheadings, and dense text organized into paragraphs.
• The article is centered on the page, with the publication name, The Harvard Crimson, prominently displayed at the top.
• The date, October 28, 1930, is printed at the top right corner.

Key Themes:

• Archaeology and History: The article highlights the significance of the expedition in uncovering ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.
• Art and Culture: It emphasizes the artistic and cultural value of the artifacts, showcasing the skill and creativity of ancient artisans.
• Public Engagement: The exhibition is presented as an opportunity for the public to engage with history and art.

This page provides a detailed account of the Fogg Art Museum's exhibition, emphasizing both the scientific and artistic importance of the findings from the Harvard expedition to Mesopotamia.

The image you've provided is a scanned newspaper page from "The Harvard Crimson," dated October 21, 1930. It's an article titled "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages." The article discusses the exhibition of findings of a Harvard expedition to Mesopotamia that are on display at the Fogg Museum, covering topics like the ancient art and artifacts unearthed during excavations, their historical significance, and the insights they provide into the lives and customs of past civilizations. The layout is typical of historic newspapers with multiple dense columns of text and very little whitespace, aimed at an academic or well-educated readership given the context and vocabulary used. There are no images accompanying the text, which focuses entirely on the descriptive content of the artifacts and their relevance to the exhibition and historical scholarship.

The image is of a newspaper article from "The Harvard Crimson," dated October 28, 1930. The headline reads, "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages." The article details an exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum that showcases artifacts discovered by Harvard University's Mesopotamia expedition. It describes various objects found in the excavation, including relics of ancient temples, inscribed cuneiform tablets dating back 3600 years, household utensils, and artistic sculptures. The article emphasizes the historical and artistic significance of the finds, noting contributions to understanding ancient civilizations. The publication aims to attract both laymen and specialists interested in archaeology and ancient artifacts.

• A black-and-white newspaper clipping mounted on a light page.
• Dated October 28, 1930, with a handwritten note at the top.
• From The Harvard Crimson. The headline reads: “Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages.”
• The article describes an exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum featuring findings from Harvard’s Mesopotamian expedition and artifacts from ancient ages.
• The clipping is in two dense columns of small text, typical of a newspaper layout.
• The paper shows signs of age: yellowed, with slight creases and two binder holes along the right edge.

This image shows an article titled "Fogg Art Museum Exhibition Displays Findings of Harvard Expedition to Mesopotamia, and Shows Objects of Past Ages" from The Harvard Crimson. Dated October 28, 1930, the article describes an exhibition at the Fogg Museum, showcasing the findings of Harvard's archaeological expeditions in Mesopotamia.

The text discusses:

• The excavated objects displayed at the exhibition, including relics from ancient Mesopotamian civilizations like the Sumerians and Assyrians.
• Items such as cuneiform tablets, sculptures, jewelry, and pottery, highlighting their historical and artistic significance.
• The collaboration between Harvard and the Armenian School of Oriental Research for this excavation.

The article describes the significance of these artifacts in understanding the lives, customs, and artistic skills of Mesopotamian civilization.