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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806773

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This image displays a single, aged newspaper clipping or press release, mounted on a larger, light brown folder or backing sheet with two punched holes on the right margin, suggesting it was stored in a binder.

The clipping is from the Harvard Gazette, dated October 22, 1976. Its headline reads:

Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition

The article details the discovery of an elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb from the 4th century A.D. at Sardis, in western Turkey. The tomb, located in a tobacco field, was found by expedition members David G. Mitten and Eric Freedman during a topographical survey. It features a barrel-vaulted chamber with brightly painted frescoes of doves, peacocks, flowers, and baskets of fruit, plus a Latin inscription commemorating a guild member named Chrysianios.

The article notes the tomb's significance in confirming the existence of a Roman arms factory at Sardis in the 4th century A.D. and mentions that its excavation was postponed due to a lack of a trained conservator.

Additional context provided in the article includes:

  • The tomb's location further north than previously thought for Sardis during the Lydian period.
  • The discovery was made near a recently drilled artesian well.
  • The article lists key expedition personnel, including John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology Haufmann as field director, and Mr. Mitten as associate director.
  • Funding sources, including a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and support from other foundations and donors.
  • Other staff members from institutions such as the Fogg Art Museum, Ithaca College, and the University of California.
  • The expedition also included Işmet Algedik representing the Turkish government.
  • A brief history of Sardis as a Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman city, and its later significance as a Christian center.

The article ends by noting that Mr. Greenewalt succeeded George M.A. (likely George M.A. Hanfmann).

The overall presentation is that of an archival document, with the paper showing signs of aging (yellowing) and the text printed in a standard serif font typical of newspapers from that era.

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This image shows a printed article from the Harvard Gazette dated October 22, 1976. The article is titled "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition." The content discusses the discovery of an elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb from the fourth century A.D. in Sardis, Turkey, by a joint expedition of Harvard and Cornell Universities.

The article details the unexpected discovery of the tomb during a "modest" research program. Expedition members, including David G. Mitten, James Loeb Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology, and Eric Freedman, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, found the tomb while surveying a tobacco field. The tomb has a barrel-vaulted chamber with brightly painted frescoes depicting various scenes, including doves, peacocks, flowers, and baskets of fruit in blue, purple, red, and green hues. A Latin inscription on the wall references Chrysantios, a guild member in the Imperial arms factory at Sardis in the early fourth century.

The article also mentions past discoveries at Sardis, such as a nearly impregnable fortress, an early Christian basilica dating from 350 A.D., a Lydian gymnasium complex, and important Lydian sculptures. The expedition's work at Sardis covered various periods of its history, including its Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman phases.

The article credits Mr. Crawford H. Greenewalt, Jr., as the expedition field director, and includes names of other staff members and their affiliations. It also mentions that the expedition was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and matching funds from several foundations and individual donors.

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The image is a printed article from the Harvard Gazette dated October 22, 1976. The article is titled "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition." It discusses the discovery of an elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb from the fourth century A.D. during an archaeological expedition at Sardis in western Turkey. The tomb was found by David G. Mitten and Eric Freedman while they were surveying part of the site. The article goes on to describe the tomb's features, including brightly painted frescoes on the walls and ceiling, and mentions other archaeological findings and the historical significance of Sardis. The article also credits the field director, Crawford H. Greenewalt, Jr., and other staff members involved in the expedition. The text is arranged in three columns, with a header at the top indicating the source and date of the article.

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine, dated October 22, 1976, and published by Harvard Gazette. The headline reads "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition." The article discusses the discovery of an elaborately decorated subterranean Roman tomb from the sixth and seventh centuries A.D. in Sardis, Turkey. The tomb was uncovered by the Harvard-Cornell expedition during the summer. The article provides details about the tomb's construction, including its size, the materials used, and the decorative elements found within. It also mentions the significance of the discovery and the ongoing research being conducted by the expedition team. The article is accompanied by a photograph of the tomb's interior, showcasing the intricate frescoes and architectural features.

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The image is a page from a document or a newspaper article. It contains text that discusses the discovery of an ancient Roman tomb in Turkey by a Harvard-Cornell expedition. The article provides details about the tomb's discovery, its contents, and the significance of the find. It also mentions the expedition's leaders, funding sources, and the involvement of various institutions and individuals. The text is organized in paragraphs and includes dates, names, and descriptions of the archaeological findings. The page has a beige background with a border, and there are two holes on the right side, possibly for binding or filing purposes.

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The image shows a scanned page from the Harvard Gazette, dated October 22, 1976, featuring an article titled "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition." The article details the discovery of an elaborately decorated, subterranean tomb in Sardis, Turkey, by a joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition.

Key Details from the Image:

  1. Headline and Context:

    • The headline announces the discovery of an ancient Roman tomb in Sardis, Turkey, by a Harvard-Cornell expedition.
    • Sardis is described as the legendary capital of the Lydian kingdom, located in western Turkey.
  2. Discovery Details:

    • The tomb was unearthed during the summer by the joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition.
    • The discovery was made unexpectedly while surveying part of the Sardis site.
    • The tomb is described as an elaborately decorated, subterranean structure, with a large barrel-vaulted chamber and brightly painted frescoes on the walls.
  3. Description of the Tomb:

    • Structure: The tomb features a large barrel-vaulted chamber with painted frescoes in blue, white, and green.
    • Frescoes: The walls are adorned with frescoes, including a red wall with a wreath on one side and a painted inscription. The frescoes depict floral designs, birds, and a Latin inscription commemorating Chrysanus, a guild member in the Imperial arms factory established at Sardis in the early fourth century A.D.
    • Ceiling: The ceiling is painted plaster, much of which has eroded over time.
    • Floor: The floor of the tomb is covered with a layer of earth eight feet thick, containing tobacco debris that may fill the tomb with Roman tombstones.
  4. Historical Significance:

    • The tomb is identified as the best-preserved Roman tomb yet found at Sardis.
    • The discovery confirms the existence of the Roman arms factory at Sardis in the fourth century A.D.
    • The tomb is part of a larger archaeological site, with the expedition also uncovering other significant structures, such as a Roman marble synagogue and a nearly impregnable fortress.
  5. Expedition Team and Funding:

    • The expedition was led by David G. Mitten, James Loeb Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology at Harvard.
    • The team included notable individuals such as Elizabeth Combett, John E. Hudson, and George Arthur Plimpton.
    • Funding for the expedition was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, along with matching funds from several foundations and individual donors.
    • Staff members included representatives from institutions such as the Fogg Art Museum, the University of California, and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.
  6. Archaeological Context:

    • Sardis is noted for its long history, serving as a significant city in different periods, including Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman times.
    • The tomb’s location and design provide valuable insights into Roman burial practices and the cultural significance of Sardis during the Roman period.

Visual Layout:

  • The article is formatted in a standard newspaper style, with a clear headline, subheadings, and body text.
  • The text is dense and informative, providing a detailed account of the discovery, its significance, and the expedition’s efforts.
  • The page appears to be part of a larger publication, as indicated by the header "Harvard Gazette" and the date "October 22, 1976."

Overall Impression:

The image captures a significant archaeological discovery, highlighting the collaborative efforts of Harvard and Cornell University in uncovering and preserving an important piece of Roman history in Turkey. The article emphasizes the historical and cultural value of the tomb and the broader context of Sardis as a historically rich site.

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The image is a scanned page from a publication titled "Harvard Gazette" dated October 22, 1976. It contains an article with the headline "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition." The text discusses the discovery and excavation of a Roman tomb at Sardis in Turkey, attributed to the collaboration between Harvard and Cornell University teams.

The article describes the archaeological details of the tomb, including its structure, inscriptions, and its connection to Roman-period burial practices. It highlights the participation of scholars and experts such as David G. Mitten, James C. Russell, and Elizabeth Gombosi in the excavation and preservation process. The article also refers to the historical context of Sardis during the Lydian and Roman eras and mentions the involvement of organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The document appears to be mounted on a cardboard-like background, with a hole punched on the right, suggesting organizational storage.

OpenAI, gpt-4

The image displays a newspaper clipping from the "Harvard Gazette," dated October 22, 1976. The article is headlined "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition." It contains several paragraphs of text detailing the discovery and exploration of an ancient Roman tomb by the joint Harvard-Cornell University archaeological expedition. The article explains the location of the find in Sardis, Turkey, and the potential importance of the discovery, such as insights into the history and culture of the time.

Key names mentioned in the article include a Harvard professor, an excavating archaeologist, and the institutions involved like Harvard and Cornell as well as funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities and other contributors. It seems that the article delves into the specifics of the expedition, the findings, and the implications of those findings on our understanding of ancient Roman history and architecture.

The left two-thirds of the image is the newspaper text, while the right one-third shows a glimpse of the brown folder or mount on which the clipping has been placed. At the bottom right of the clipping, a small circular object, possibly a hole for filing or mounting, is visible.

OpenAI, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Harvard Gazette dated October 22, 1976. The headline reads: "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition."

The article discusses the discovery of an elaborately decorated subterranean Roman tomb from the fourth century A.D. This tomb was unexpectedly uncovered during the joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition at Sardis in western Turkey, an ancient capital of the legendary King Croesus of Lydia.

Key points from the article include:

  • The expedition members, including David G. Mitten, James Loeb Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology; Eric Froedman, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley; and Elizabeth Gombosi of the Fogg Art Museum, discovered the tomb.
  • The tomb is located inside a large barrel-vaulted chamber that contains painted frescoes covering the walls and a thatched roof.
  • The tomb inscription confirms the existence of the Roman arms factory at Sardis in the fourth century A.D., making it the best-preserved Roman tomb found at Sardis.
  • Archaeological details include discoveries of pottery shards, burnt animal bones, and a well-preserved arched door, among others.
  • The article also mentions previous discoveries at Sardis and the significance of the site in history, being a Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman city.
  • The expedition has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and other foundations, with staff members including faculty from Harvard, Cornell, New York, and the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The piece concludes with information about the current and previous leadership of the expedition and highlights the importance of this discovery in the context of ancient history and archaeology.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

The image shows an old newspaper clipping mounted on a brown paper backing. The clipping is from Harvard Gazette, dated October 22, 1976, with the headline: “Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition.” The article is laid out in multiple columns and discusses the discovery of an elaborately decorated Roman tomb during a Harvard-Cornell expedition. The brown backing has two punched holes along the right edge, suggesting it was kept in a binder or sleeve. The overall presentation looks like a page from a museum or archival collection.