Archives Scrapbooks

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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, January 1966-May 1973

ARCH.2003.36, Rendition: 805282

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The image appears to be a page from a publication, likely a magazine or journal, dated April 6, 1968, from "The Illustrated London News." The page is focused on archaeological findings and research, particularly related to the excavation of ancient sites and artifacts.

The page features several numbered illustrations and accompanying text, discussing a variety of artifacts and aspects of the archaeological site. Some of the items pictured include:

  • A fragment of a Late Mycenaean artifact, labeled as number 4.
  • A Proto-geometric cup, labeled as number 6, which is evidence of Greek contacts with Sardis in Homeric and "Dark Age" times.
  • A primitive button seal (number 5), which may depict an animal, potentially a goat, and is thought to be from the 10th or 9th century BC.
  • A Lydian earring (number 7) found in the sacral precinct, likely from the 6th century BC, featuring a recumbent ram.
  • A large altar (number 8) found in the sacral area of "Pactulos North," possibly rebuilt by the Persians as a fire altar. It was dedicated to the goddess Cybele, with lions as her companions.
  • A photograph of a stone lion, which might have been part of the altar.
  • A large altar (number 9) with three stone lions from the same site.
  • An early Bronze Age pithos (number 10), found in a prehistoric cemetery, containing an adult burial with a copper dagger.
  • A skeleton of an 8-year-old girl (number 11), found in the prehistoric cemetery, killed by a roof fall during the 7th century BC Kimmerian invasion.

The text provides additional context and analysis of the findings, discussing the cultural and historical significance of the artifacts and the site. The illustrations include photographs of the site, the artifacts, and the excavations, offering a visual representation of the archaeological work being described.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct

This image is a page from an old publication, dated April 6, 1968, from The Illustrated London News issue 27. The page is dedicated to archaeological findings in Sardis, Turkey, with a focus on artifacts and structures related to the Lydian civilization and its connections with the Mycenaean and Proto-Geometric periods of Greece.

Left Section:

  • Artifact Images (Labeled 4-7):
    • 4: A Late Mycenaean pottery fragment, indicative of Greek contact with Sardis during the Homeric and "Dark Age" times. It is a piece of a broken vessel with visible painted details.
    • 5: A primitive button seal, likely depicting an animal such as a goat, dating back to the 10th or 9th century BC.
    • 6: A Proto-Geometric cup, another artifact showing Greek influence. It has a distinctive geometric design on its surface.
    • 7: A small, sculpted ram's head, part of a Lydian earring from the 6th century BC. It has a decorative and symbolic purpose.

Right Section:

  • Images and Descriptions:
    • 8: A photograph showing a large altar found in the sacral area of "Pactolus North." This altar was likely reconstructed by the Persians after a fire. Inside, three stone lions were discovered, possibly hidden as part of the reconstruction process. The altar may have originally been dedicated to the Lydian goddess Cybele, for whom lions were sacred.
    • 9: A close-up of one of the three stone lions discovered inside the altar. The image highlights the craftsmanship and detail of the lion's features.
    • 10: An Early Bronze Age pithos (a large storage jar) found in a prehistoric cemetery. This pithos contained an adult burial with a copper dagger, suggesting its use as a burial vessel.
    • 11: A photograph of a skeleton of an 8-year-old girl, believed to have been killed by a roof fall during the 7th century BC Kimmerian invasion. The image shows the remains in situ, providing insight into a tragic historical event.

Text:

The accompanying text describes the historical context of the discoveries, linking them to the reign of King Gyges of Lydia and the possible presence of Greek craftsmen and patrons at Sardis. It also discusses the significance of the finds in understanding the cultural and historical dynamics of the region during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. The narrative emphasizes the unique aspects of Lydian art and architecture, as well as the interactions between different civilizations in the area.

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This image displays a page from “The Illustrated London News,” dated April 6, 1968, page 47. The article is a report on archaeological excavations at Sardis, an ancient city in modern-day Turkey, focusing on discoveries from the Late Mycenaean, Proto-geometric, and Lydian periods.


Layout & Content

The page is divided into three columns of text and contains six labeled photographs (Figures 4–11) with captions, illustrating artifacts and excavation scenes.


Key Artifacts and Images (Left Column):

  • Figure 4: A Late Mycenaean pottery fragment, showing painted decoration.
  • Figure 5: A primitive button seal, possibly depicting a goat, dated to the 10th or 9th century BC.
  • Figure 6: A Proto-geometric cup, representing early Greek contact with Sardis during Homeric or “Dark Age” times (c. 10th–9th century BC).
  • Figure 7: An engaging ram figurine — part of a Lydian earring — found in a sacred precinct, likely dating to the 6th century BC.

Excavation Scenes and Burials (Right Column):

  • Figure 8: A large marble altar found in the sacred area of “Pactolus North,” possibly repurposed by the Persians. Three stone lions (Fig. 9) were found inside, hinting the altar was originally dedicated to the Lydian goddess Cybele.
  • Figure 9: Close-up of one of the small (half-inch tall) recumbent ram figurines, described as a charming example of Lydian jewelry craftsmanship.
  • Figure 10: An Early Bronze Age pithos (large storage jar) from a prehistoric cemetery, containing an adult burial with a copper dagger.
  • Figure 11: The skeleton of an 8-year-old girl, killed by a roof fall — likely during the 7th century BC Kimmerian invasion.

Main Article Themes

The text describes the emergence of “Mycenaean” pottery at Sardis around 1285 BC — contemporaneous with the dynasty of the Heraclid kings — and suggests possible Greek or foreign craftsmen were present. It also recounts the excavation of an immense Lydian burial chamber at Bin Tepe, containing over 150 skeletons from various social classes.

Significant discoveries include:

  • A massive altar with lion statues, potentially linked to Cybele.
  • Evidence of Persian reuse of sacred structures.
  • Insights into burial customs from the Bronze and Iron Ages.

The excavations were led by A. Ramage, and the article references a prior report in “ILN” (September 17, 1966, page 20).


Overall Significance

This page offers a snapshot of 1960s archaeological reporting, combining academic analysis with visual documentation to reveal the layered history of Sardis — from Greek influence in the Late Mycenaean period through Lydian royalty and Persian occupation. The artifacts and burial remains speak to trade, religion, and violence across millennia.


Note: A small blue arrow has been drawn on the page near the top left, likely by a reader, pointing to the article’s beginning.

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The image shows a page from a magazine or newspaper, featuring a mix of text and photographs. The text is arranged in columns, with headings and subheadings that likely provide context for the images. The photographs are in black and white and depict various archaeological artifacts and scenes, possibly from an excavation site. The artifacts include pottery, seals, and other small items, while the scenes show people working at the site and the surrounding landscape. The page appears to be from an older publication, given the style of the text and images.

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The image is from a magazine titled "The Illustrated London News" dated April 6, 1966. The page features an article about archaeological discoveries in Sardis, Turkey. The article includes a mix of text and images, with several photos of artifacts and archaeological sites. The text discusses the findings from excavations at Sardis, including pottery, burials, and other artifacts from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. The photos show various artifacts, such as pottery fragments, a bronze animal figurine, a large altar, and a skeleton. The article provides detailed descriptions of the discoveries and their historical context, indicating that the finds provide insights into the ancient civilizations that once inhabited the region.

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The image shows a page from a historical or archaeological publication, likely from The Illustrated London News, dated April 9, 1966. The page is titled "Sardis" and features a detailed description and visual representation of archaeological findings from the ancient city of Sardis. The layout includes text on the left side and a series of labeled illustrations on the right.

Text Content:

  • The text discusses the discovery of archaeological layers (strata) at Sardis, including pottery, skeletal remains, and other artifacts. It references the Mycenaean period, the Late Geometric style, and the historical context of Sardis, including its association with King Gyges and the Heraclid dynasty.
  • The text also mentions the discovery of a large altar in the "Pactolus North" area, which was likely rebuilt by the Persians after a fire. It describes the altar as being dedicated to Cybele, with lions and sacred images.
  • Additional details include the discovery of a marble lion, a rectangular structure, and other artifacts such as a skeleton, a seal, and a bronze pithos.

Illustrations:

The right side of the page contains labeled images (numbered 1 through 11), each depicting different artifacts and findings:

  1. Image 4: A Late Mycenaean fragment and a Proto-geometric cup, both evidence of local clay-inters that may be of foreign craft.
  2. Image 5: A Homeric-style pottery fragment, dated to the 10th or 9th century BC.
  3. Image 6: A primitive button seal, showing an engaging ram, likely from the 6th century BC.
  4. Image 7: A skeleton of an eight-year-old girl killed by a roof fall, dated to the 7th century BC during a Kimmerian invasion.
  5. Image 8: A large altar found in the "Pactolus North" area, likely rebuilt by the Persians after a fire. Inside, three stone lions were found, suggesting it was originally an altar to Cybele.
  6. Image 9: A marble lion found in the north-western corner of the altar area.
  7. Image 10: An Early Bronze Age pithos found in a prehistoric cemetery, containing an adult burial with a copper dagger.
  8. Image 11: A rectangular structure flanking the altar, with a particularly charming example of a gold jeweled arm.

Visual Elements:

  • The illustrations are black-and-white photographs or line drawings, providing a clear view of the artifacts.
  • Each image is accompanied by a brief caption that describes the artifact, its context, and its significance.
  • The layout is organized, with the text on the left and the images on the right, allowing readers to easily correlate the descriptions with the visual evidence.

Overall Context:

The page serves as a detailed archaeological report, combining textual analysis with visual documentation to illustrate the findings from Sardis. It highlights the historical and cultural significance of the discoveries, linking them to broader historical periods and events, such as the Mycenaean era, the Persian period, and the Kimmerian invasions. The publication aims to inform readers about the rich archaeological heritage of Sardis and its importance in understanding ancient civilizations.

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The image is a scanned page from "The Illustrated London News" dated April 6, 1968. The page features a black and white photograph of ancient pottery and artifacts, accompanied by a lengthy article discussing the discovery of these relics.

The article delves into the historical context of the finds, providing insight into the culture and civilization that produced them. The text is dense with information, offering a detailed account of the archaeological significance of the discovery.

The photograph showcases a variety of pottery pieces, each with its unique design and craftsmanship. The artifacts are arranged in a collage, allowing readers to appreciate their intricate details and textures.

The page also includes several smaller images and captions, which provide additional context and information about the artifacts. These images offer a closer look at specific pieces, highlighting their features and characteristics.

Overall, the image presents a fascinating glimpse into the past, offering readers a chance to explore the history and culture of ancient civilizations. The combination of text and images creates a compelling narrative, drawing the viewer into the world of archaeology and history.

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The image depicts a page from an old newspaper or magazine, featuring a collection of photographs and text. The page is divided into two columns, with the left column containing a large block of text and the right column featuring several photographs.

The text on the left side of the page appears to be an article about archaeology, discussing the discovery of ancient artifacts and their significance. The text is written in a formal tone and includes technical terms related to archaeology.

The photographs on the right side of the page show various artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, and other objects. The photographs are black and white and appear to be taken in a studio or laboratory setting. Some of the photographs have captions or labels that provide additional information about the artifacts.

Overall, the image suggests that the page is from a publication that focuses on archaeology and history, and that the article and photographs are intended to educate readers about the latest discoveries and research in the field.

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The image depicts a page from the Illustrated London News, dated April 6, 1968. The page is divided into two columns of text, with the left column featuring a large inset containing four black-and-white images of ancient artifacts, accompanied by descriptive captions. The right column includes three additional black-and-white images, also with captions.

The text on the page appears to be an article discussing archaeological findings, specifically the excavation of a site in Sardis, Turkey. The article describes the discovery of various artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, and other relics, which are illustrated in the accompanying images.

The overall design of the page suggests that it is a scholarly or academic publication, likely intended for an audience interested in archaeology and history. The use of formal language and the inclusion of detailed descriptions and images of the artifacts support this interpretation.

In summary, the image shows a page from the Illustrated London News that features an article about archaeological discoveries in Sardis, Turkey, accompanied by images of ancient artifacts.

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The image presents a page from an article in The Illustrated London News, dated April 6, 1968. The page is divided into two columns of text and features six black-and-white images.

Text:
The text appears to be discussing archaeological findings, specifically the discovery of Mycenaean pottery and other artifacts at Sardis. The article mentions the "sons of Herakles" and the Lydian chamber, which was discovered in 1966. The text also references the historian Herodotus and the dynasty of the Herakleidai.

Images:
The six images on the page are:

  • A collection of broken pottery fragments (labeled 4, 5, 6, and 7)
  • A large stone altar with three stone lions inside (labeled 8 and 9)
  • An archaeological excavation site with people working (labeled 10)
  • A skeleton of an 8-year-old girl killed by a roof fall (labeled 11)

Additional Features:
The page has a blue checkmark in the top-left corner and a blue scribble in the bottom-right corner. The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that the page is being displayed against a neutral backdrop. Overall, the image provides a glimpse into an archaeological discovery and its significance, as reported in a historical publication.