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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1929-December 1931

ARCH.2003.25, Rendition: 794189

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The image shows a page from a newspaper or magazine, dated January 31, 1931. The predominant color of the page is a light beige or cream, with black text. The text is divided into two main sections, each with a heading and body text. The left section is titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and discusses a lecture on the archaeological findings at Ur of the Chaldees, delivered by Dr. R. E. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Museum. The right section is titled "Lecture at Fogg" and provides additional details about the same lecture, mentioning that it was held on a specific afternoon at the Fogg Art Museum. Both sections contain detailed descriptions of the archaeological discoveries and the historical significance of the excavations at Ur of the Chaldees. The page also has handwritten notes at the bottom, with the word "Transcript" followed by the date "January 31, 1931." This suggests that the text was likely a transcription of a lecture or report.

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This image shows an old newspaper clipping mounted on a piece of paper. The clipping is titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and discusses a lecture given by Prof. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Museum on revelations at Ur of the Chaldees. The lecture was about excavations undertaken by the Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania at Ur of the Chaldees. The text describes the history and findings of the excavations, including details about the civilization, the flood, and various artifacts and structures discovered.

The paper on which the clipping is mounted has some handwritten notes. In the bottom left corner, it says "Transcript January 31, 1931," and in the top right corner, it says "Crimson January 26, 1931." There is also a smaller box of text in the top right corner that provides additional information about the lecture, mentioning that it will be given by Dr. R. E. Pfeiffer, curator of the Semitic Museum, at 4:30 o'clock in the Fogg Art Museum. The talk is in connection with the current exhibition of objects excavated at Ur of the Chaldees now on display at Fogg.

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This image displays a single, aged page from a document or scrapbook, likely preserved as part of a historical record. The paper has yellowed with time and features three holes punched along the left margin, suggesting it was kept in a binder.

The page contains two newspaper clippings about a lecture on archaeology, both concerning the excavations at Ur of the Chaldees, presented by Dr. R. E. Pfeiffer, curator of the Semitic Museum.


Left Article: "Excavations in City of Abraham"

This is the larger, multi-column article, headlined in bold:

Excavations in City of Abraham
Prof. Pfeiffer Lecture at Fogg Museum on Revelations at Ur of the Chaldees

It begins with a large drop cap “L” and details Dr. Pfeiffer’s illustrated lecture at the Fogg Art Museum. The article summarizes the historical context of Ur, its location in Lower Mesopotamia, and the significance of the excavations conducted by the Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania. It covers:

  • The ancient civilization’s development, from early settlers to the rise of a port city.
  • The discovery of the earliest known writing and records, including evidence of flood deposits mentioned in Genesis.
  • Details of the royal cemetery, including graves with human and animal sacrifices, and grave goods like “trinkets and jewels of gold, lapis lazuli and other ornaments.”
  • The monumental Ziggurat (or “huge tower”) of Ur, dedicated to the moon-goddess Nanna, and its construction during the time of King Ur-Nammu and later Sargon.
  • The Sumerian civilization’s achievements in math, astronomy, and writing, contrasting with the Chaldean period.
  • The suspension of excavations due to weather and the planned continuation of the exhibition at the Fogg Museum through February 14.

Right Article: "Lecture at Fogg"

A smaller, single-column clipping under the heading:

Lecture at Fogg

It confirms the details of Dr. R. E. Pfeiffer’s lecture, scheduled for “this afternoon at 4:30 o’clock” at the Fogg Art Museum. The title of the talk is “Excavations Undertaken by the Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania at Ur of the Chaldees.” It notes the talk’s connection to an ongoing exhibition of artifacts excavated at Ur, currently on display at the Fogg.


Handwritten Annotations

Two sets of handwritten notes in blue ink are visible on the page:

  • In the upper right corner, near the small article:

    Crimson
    January 26, 1931

    This likely refers to the Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper of Harvard University, indicating this clipping was taken from it on that date.

  • Below the main article, near the bottom right:

    Transcript
    January 31, 1931

    This suggests the larger article might have been transcribed or reprinted separately (possibly from another source) on this date, or that the collector dated when they transcribed or compiled the material.


Overall, the document is a historical educational artifact preserving public interest in early 20th-century archaeology — specifically the groundbreaking discoveries at Ur — as communicated through university lectures and news coverage. The annotations suggest it was carefully collected and cataloged, perhaps by a student, scholar, or museum staff member.

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The image is of a newspaper clipping. The clipping is from the Crimson, a student newspaper at Harvard University. The clipping features a headline that reads "Excavations in City of Abraham." The article discusses an illustrated lecture by Prof. Pfeiffer at Fogg Museum on Revelations at Ur of the Chaldeans. The lecture is in connection with an exhibition of objects excavated at the Ur of the Chaldeans Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. The article provides a detailed description of the objects excavated, including pottery, jewelry, and weapons, and explains their significance in understanding the history and culture of the ancient city of Ur.

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or a document with two columns of text and a header. The page is aged and appears to be from the early 20th century, based on the style of the text and the date mentioned.

The left column contains a news article titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and "Prof. Pfeiffer Lecture at Fogg Museum on Revelations at Ur of the Chaldees." The article discusses the findings from archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Ur, which is believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. The article mentions that Dr. E. Pfeiffer, a curator of the Semitic Museum, will give a lecture on the topic. The article also provides details about the discoveries made at Ur, including artifacts and inscriptions that shed light on the history and culture of the ancient city.

The right column contains another article titled "Lecture at Fogg" and mentions that Dr. Pfeiffer's lecture will be held at 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon in the Fogg Art Museum. The article also provides information about the exhibition of objects excavated at Ur of the Chaldees that are currently on display at the Fogg Museum.

The header at the top of the page reads "Transcript January 31, 1931," indicating that the page is a transcript of a newspaper article from that date. The page has a beige background with a few holes punched through it, suggesting that it may have been part of a bound volume or a scrapbook.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the archaeological discoveries and scholarly discussions surrounding the ancient city of Ur in the early 20th century.

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The image shows a scanned page from a document titled "Excavations in City of Abraham", which appears to be a transcript or printed copy of a lecture delivered by Prof. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Museum of Art on January 26, 1931. The document discusses archaeological findings related to the ancient city of Ur in the Chaldees, focusing on excavations and discoveries made by Dr. R. E. Pfeiffer of the Semitic Museum at Harvard University.

Key Details from the Image:

  1. Title and Context:

    • The document is labeled as a "Lecture at Fogg", indicating it is a transcript of a presentation given at the Fogg Art Museum.
    • The lecture is about excavations in the City of Abraham, specifically focusing on Ur of the Chaldees.
  2. Content Overview:

    • The text describes the archaeological significance of Ur, highlighting its historical and cultural importance.
    • It mentions the discovery of ancient artifacts, including burials, weapons, jewelry, and religious objects, which provide insights into the civilization of the Chaldees.
    • The lecture references Dr. Pfeiffer's work and his collaboration with the Joint Expedition of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum, which conducted excavations at Ur.
  3. Handwritten Annotations:

    • There are handwritten notes on the page, including:
      • "Crimson January 26, 1931": This likely refers to the date of the lecture or the source of the transcript.
      • "Transcript January 31, 1931": This suggests the transcript was prepared or finalized on January 31, 1931, five days after the lecture.
  4. Visual Layout:

    • The page is formatted in a two-column layout, typical of printed transcripts or academic documents.
    • The text is typed, with handwritten annotations added in black ink.
    • The top right corner includes a header: "Lecture at Fogg", reinforcing the context of the document.
  5. Content Highlights:

    • The lecture discusses the discovery of ancient cities and artifacts, including burials, weapons, and religious items.
    • It mentions Dr. Pfeiffer's role in the excavations and the collaborative effort with the British Museum.
    • The text references specific artifacts such as helmets, daggers, and jewelry, as well as religious structures like temples and ziggurats.
    • The lecture also touches on the historical context of Ur, including its significance in ancient Mesopotamian civilization.

Conclusion:

The image depicts a transcript or printed copy of a lecture delivered by Prof. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Art Museum on January 26, 1931, discussing archaeological excavations at Ur of the Chaldees. The document includes detailed descriptions of discoveries and is annotated with handwritten notes indicating the date of the lecture and the transcript's preparation. The content focuses on the historical and cultural significance of the findings, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the British Museum.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and features an article discussing the excavations at Ur of the Chaldees. The clipping is dated January 31, 1931, and includes a transcript of a lecture given by Dr. R.E. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Museum on January 26, 1931.

Key Points:

  • Title: Excavations in City of Abraham
  • Article: Discusses the excavations at Ur of the Chaldees
  • Date: January 31, 1931
  • Lecture: Transcript of a lecture given by Dr. R.E. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Museum on January 26, 1931
  • Content: The article provides information about the excavations, including the discovery of ancient artifacts and the significance of the site.

Visual Description:

  • The clipping is a yellowed piece of paper with holes punched along the left side.
  • The text is printed in black ink and is divided into two columns.
  • The title is centered at the top of the page, with the article below it.
  • The transcript of the lecture is located at the bottom of the page, with the date and location of the lecture written in the top-right corner.

Context:

  • The clipping appears to be from a newspaper or magazine, possibly a local publication in the Boston area.
  • The article and lecture suggest that the excavations at Ur of the Chaldees were a significant event in the field of archaeology at the time.
  • The inclusion of the transcript of the lecture adds an additional layer of context to the article, providing further information about the excavations and their significance.

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This image depicts a scanned newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and a smaller inset titled "Lecture at Fogg." The article, dated January 26, 1931, discusses the excavation of a site in the Hebron Valley, which is believed to be the biblical city of Abraham. The article also mentions the discovery of artifacts, including pottery and tools, that date back to the Bronze Age.

The smaller inset article, also dated January 26, 1931, announces a lecture by Dr. R.E. Pfeiffer, curator of the Semitic Museum, on the excavations undertaken by the Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania at Ur of the Chaldees. The lecture is scheduled to take place at 4:30 pm in the Fogg Art Museum.

The clipping is attached to a piece of paper with three holes punched along the left side, suggesting that it was once part of a binder or notebook. The paper has a yellowed appearance, indicating that it is likely an old document. Overall, the image provides insight into the archaeological discoveries made in the early 20th century and the efforts of scholars to share their findings with the public through lectures and publications.

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The image shows a scanned document featuring a newspaper clipping about a lecture on the excavations at Ur of the Chaldees.

Document Details

  • The document is a cream-colored paper with three holes punched on the left side.
  • It appears to be a photocopy or scan of an original document.

Newspaper Clipping

  • The clipping is titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and is from a lecture by Prof. Pfeiffer at Fogg Museum on Revelations at Ur of the Chaldees.
  • The clipping is divided into two sections:
    • The left section is on aged paper and features the title and a brief introduction to the lecture.
    • The right section is a continuation of the article, providing more details about the excavations and the findings.

Additional Information

  • A smaller clipping to the right of the main article announces a lecture by Dr. R.E. Pfeiffer at Fogg Museum.
  • Handwritten notes on the document include:
    • "Crimson January 26, 1931" in the top-right corner.
    • "Transcript January 31, 1931" at the bottom.

Background

  • The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that it may be a digital scan or photocopy of the original document.

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The image presents a scanned document, likely a photocopy of a newspaper clipping and a handwritten note, set against a light gray background.

Newspaper Clipping:

  • The clipping is titled "Excavations in City of Abraham" and features an article about excavations at Ur of the Chaldees.
  • The article discusses the discovery of a city, including its age, estimated to be around 4,000 years old, and the findings of a cemetery, human sacrifices, and artifacts.
  • The clipping appears to be from the "Crimson" newspaper, dated January 26, 1931.

Handwritten Note:

  • A small piece of paper with a handwritten note reads "Lecture at Fogg" and provides details about a lecture by Dr. R.E. Pfeiffer at the Fogg Art Museum.
  • The note mentions that the lecture is entitled "Excavations Undertaken by the Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania at Ur of the Chaldee."
  • The note also includes the date "January 26, 1931."

Additional Notes:

  • A handwritten note at the bottom of the page reads "Transcript January 31, 1931."
  • The document has three holes punched along the left side, suggesting it was once bound in a binder or folder.

Overall, the image appears to be a scanned document containing a newspaper clipping and handwritten notes related to archaeological excavations at Ur of the Chaldees.