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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1929-December 1931

ARCH.2003.25, Rendition: 794186

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The image shows a page from the January 26, 1929, issue of The Art News. The article is titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues." The text describes the discovery of a megalithic death pit by the joint archaeological expedition of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum. The pit contains the bodies of forty-five victims sacrificed in accordance with ancient Sumerian burial rites, along with an immense wealth of gold, silver, and semi-precious stones.

The article details several significant finds, including:

  • Thirty-four gold head-dresses, inlaid pendants, wreaths, and hair ribbons.
  • Many silver "combs" and other ornaments.
  • Three harps of unusual design.
  • A pair of statues of rams made of gold, silver, white shell, and lapis lazuli.
  • A copper vessel and the impression of a wagon.

The text also mentions the discovery of a canopy with gold and colored mosaic bands, and a collection of copper vessels and weapons. The article highlights the importance of the find, noting that the statues are described as two of the most remarkable objects of antiquity discovered in Sumeria.

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The image is a scanned page from "The Art News," dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The page features a detailed article titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues." The article discusses an archaeological discovery made by a joint expedition of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum in Ur of the Chaldees.

The article describes the discovery of a massive death-pit containing the bodies of forty-five victims, along with an extensive collection of gold, silver, and semi-precious stones. The pit is described as being larger than any previously found in the 5,000-year-old cemetery at Ur. The article mentions the discovery of gold head-dresses, inlaid pendants, silver "combs," and other ornaments. Additionally, three harps of unusual design and unique statues of rams made of gold, silver, white shell, and lapis lazuli were found.

The article provides a detailed account of the excavation process, including the discovery of a wagon impression and the skeletal remains of animals and humans. It also describes the intricate details of the artifacts found, such as the decorations on the harps and the composition of the statues.

The page is formatted with two columns of text, and there are small headings that separate different sections of the article. The article is attributed to C. Leonard Woolley, the director of the expedition. The page also has some minor physical marks, such as punched holes along the left margin, suggesting it might have been part of a scrapbook or a collection.

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This image displays a single page from a newspaper, presented against a plain, light gray background. The page appears to be aged, with a light beige or off-white paper color and some visible creases and slight discoloration, particularly along the left-hand margin.

The newspaper is The Art News, dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The masthead “The Art News” is printed in a classic serif font in the upper right corner, while the date is in the upper left.

The main article, prominently displayed in a large, bold headline, is titled:
“Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues”

Below the headline, a sub-headline reads:
“PHILADELPHIA—A mammoth death-pit in which the bodies of forty-five victims sacrificed...”

The article is a detailed report on the archaeological discoveries at Ur of the Chaldees, made by the joint expedition of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum. It describes the unearthing of a vast burial pit containing the bodies of 45 sacrificed individuals, along with an extraordinary array of grave goods, including gold, silver, and lapis lazuli ornaments, harps, weapons, and animal skeletons.

A key feature of the report is the detailed description of “unique” statues unearthed from the pit, which are described as having bodies made of wood covered in silver and gold leaf, with elaborate details such as horned heads and tall plant-like elements made of gold and silver.

The text is arranged in multiple columns, with a dense, traditional newspaper layout using a serif typeface. The page is physically held with three black, circular binder holes along its left margin, indicating it has been preserved in a binder or archivist’s folder.

Overall, the image captures a historical artifact — a primary source report on one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the early 20th century, vividly conveying the excitement and wealth of the ancient Mesopotamian burial.

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The image is a scanned page from a newspaper article dated January 26, 1929, titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues." The article discusses the findings of a joint archaeological expedition by the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum in Ur, Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).

The article describes the discovery of a large death-pit, larger than any previously found, containing the remains of forty-five victims, likely sacrificed according to ancient Sumerian burial rites. The pit was filled with gold, silver, and semi-precious stones, and was covered by a wagon that had been driven down into the pit. The article provides details about the burial practices, including the arrangement of bodies in rows and the presence of unique statues and artifacts.

The article also describes the discovery of two large statues of rams, one made of lapis lazuli and the other of silver, as well as a third smaller statue of a ram made of silver. It mentions the discovery of gold and silver ornaments, including wreaths, combs, and necklaces, as well as a gold harp and a silver harp. The article concludes by highlighting the significance of the findings and the craftsmanship of the artifacts.

The article is written in a formal journalistic style and includes details about the excavation process, the artifacts found, and the significance of the discoveries in the context of ancient Sumerian culture. The article is part of a larger section of the newspaper titled "The Art News," indicating its focus on art and cultural heritage.

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine, dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The headline reads "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues." The text is organized into several paragraphs, detailing the findings of an archaeological expedition to Ur, a city in ancient Mesopotamia.

The article begins by describing a significant discovery: a massive death-pit containing the remains of forty victims, along with an astonishing wealth of gold, silver, and semi-precious stones. The death-pit is larger than any previously found and has been cleared only partly, revealing a plethora of artifacts including silver ornaments, gold and silver hair ornaments, and statues of human figures.

The text continues to describe the excavation process, noting the careful removal of earth to uncover the death-pit and the intricate arrangement of the bodies and artifacts within it. The bodies were found in orderly rows, with some wearing elaborate head-dresses and jewelry. The article highlights the discovery of unique statues, including one made of copper and another of lapis lazuli, both of which are described in detail.

The article also mentions the presence of a large copper stag and other remarkable artifacts, emphasizing the scale and craftsmanship of the items found. The text concludes with observations about the significance of these findings for understanding the culture and practices of the ancient civilization that created them.

The layout of the page is straightforward, with the headline at the top, followed by the body text in multiple paragraphs. The text is printed in a serif font, typical of newspapers of the era, and the page appears to be from a bound volume, suggesting it may be part of a collected series or archive.

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The image is a scanned page from a publication titled "The ART NEWS", dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The page features an article titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues", which details an archaeological discovery at the ancient Sumerian city of Ur.

Key Elements of the Image:

Header:

  • The top of the page displays the publication's name, "The ART NEWS", in a bold, serif font.
  • The date, Saturday, January 26, 1929, is printed at the top left corner.

Article Title:

  • The main headline reads: "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues", indicating the subject matter of the article.

Content:

  • The article is written in a formal, journalistic style, describing an archaeological expedition to Ur, an ancient Sumerian city.
  • The text discusses the discovery of a death-pit containing the bodies of victims sacrificed in accordance with ancient Sumerian burial rites. The victims were found adorned with gold, silver, and semi-precious stones.
  • The article highlights the British Museum as the institution that received the artifacts, noting that the death-pit was larger than any previously discovered at Ur.
  • It describes the statues uncovered, which are unique and include:
    • Statues of rams with silver white shells and lapis lazuli eyes.
    • Statues of animals, including a stag, which is described as being made of copper, mounted on a square copper base.
    • Statues of plants, including tall plants with stems and leaves of gold, and stems of silver.
    • Statues of furniture, such as a throne or armchair, with intricate designs and materials like silver, gold, and lapis lazuli.

Visual Elements:

  • On the right side of the page, there is a small illustration of one of the discovered statues. The illustration shows:
    • A stag lying along a copper base.
    • The stag is depicted with detailed features, including its body, head, and antlers.
    • The illustration is labeled as a similar figure of a stag lay along-side, but this figure was made of copper, with the body and uprights of possibly wood, and the antlers of gold.

Layout:

  • The text is arranged in two columns, typical of newspaper or magazine formatting.
  • The left column contains the main body of the article, while the right column includes the illustration and a brief caption.

Typography:

  • The text is printed in a serif font, consistent with the style of early 20th-century publications.
  • The headline is in a larger, bold font to draw attention, while the body text is in a standard, readable size.

Summary:

The image is a historical newspaper or magazine page from January 26, 1929, reporting on an archaeological discovery at the ancient city of Ur. The article details the unearthing of a death-pit containing sacrificial victims adorned with precious materials and unique statues, including a stag, animals, plants, and furniture. The page includes a small illustration of one of the statues, providing a visual representation of the discovery. The layout, typography, and content reflect the formal and informative style of early 20th-century journalism.

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The image shows a page from "The Art News" newspaper, dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The page is yellowed and has three holes punched in it, indicating that it was part of a larger document or collection.

  • Title and Date
    • The title of the article is "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues."
    • The date of the article is Saturday, January 26, 1929.
  • Content
    • The article discusses an expedition to Ur, which uncovered a large death-pit containing the remains of 5,000-year-old victims.
    • The article also mentions the discovery of unique statues, including a gold harp with gold strings, a gold bowl, and a gold comb.
    • The article describes the statues as being made of gold, silver, and other precious metals, and notes that they are unlike anything seen before.
  • Layout
    • The article is written in a formal, news-style format, with a headline and subheadings.
    • The text is divided into paragraphs, with each paragraph discussing a different aspect of the discovery.
    • The article includes quotes from the director of the expedition, Leonard Woolley, who describes the discovery as "one of the most remarkable finds ever made."
  • Visuals
    • The page includes several images, including a photograph of the death-pit and a drawing of one of the statues.
    • The images are captioned with descriptions of the artifacts and the excavation process.
  • Overall
    • The article provides a detailed account of the discovery and its significance, highlighting the importance of the find for archaeologists and historians.
    • The article also includes quotes from experts in the field, providing additional context and insight into the discovery.

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This image depicts a newspaper clipping from "The Art News" dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The article, titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues," discusses the discovery of a massive death-pit in Ur, containing the bodies of forty-five victims sacrificed in accordance with ancient Sumerian burial rites. The article describes the wealth of gold, silver, and semi-precious stones found among the skeletons, including a large copper vessel, a chariot, and various other artifacts. The discovery is considered significant, as it provides insight into the burial practices of the ancient Sumerians and sheds light on their culture and traditions.

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The image is a scanned newspaper article from "The Art News" dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The article is titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues."

The article is divided into two columns, with a smaller inset section on the right side of the page. The text is written in a formal, serif font and describes the discovery of a large death pit at Ur, a ancient Sumerian city in modern-day Iraq.

The article reports on the findings of an archaeological expedition led by Leonard Woolley, director of the joint University of Pennsylvania Museum and British Museum excavation. The team uncovered a massive death pit containing the remains of numerous individuals, along with various artifacts such as gold and silver jewelry, musical instruments, and statues.

The article highlights the significance of the discovery, noting that it provides valuable insights into the culture and practices of the ancient Sumerians. It also describes the elaborate burial rituals and the presence of luxury goods, such as gold and precious stones, which suggest that the individuals buried in the pit were of high social status.

The background of the image is a light gray color, which helps to highlight the aged appearance of the newspaper page. The page itself has a yellowed tone and features three holes punched along the left edge, indicating that it was once part of a binder or folder.

Overall, the image presents a fascinating glimpse into the history of archaeology and the discovery of ancient civilizations. The article provides a detailed account of the expedition's findings, and the image itself serves as a tangible connection to the past.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping from "The Art News" dated Saturday, January 26, 1929. The article is titled "Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues."

Newspaper Clipping Details:

  • Date: Saturday, January 26, 1929
  • Publication: The Art News
  • Title: Expedition to Ur Uncovers Huge Death-Pit and Unique Statues

Article Content:

The article discusses the discovery of a mass death-pit in Ur, containing the bodies of forty-five victims sacrificed according to ancient Sumerian burial rites. The site was found by a joint archaeological expedition of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum.

Key Findings:

  • A death-pit with forty-five bodies
  • Ancient Sumerian burial rites
  • Joint expedition by the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum

Visual Description:

The clipping features three-hole punch holes on the left side, indicating it was once stored in a binder. The paper has a yellowed appearance, suggesting age. The text is in black ink, with a clear and legible font. The background of the image is a light gray color, providing a neutral backdrop for the clipping.

Overall:

The image provides a glimpse into a significant archaeological discovery from 1929, highlighting the findings of a joint expedition to Ur. The clipping's aged appearance adds to its historical significance, making it a valuable resource for those interested in archaeology and ancient history.