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The image is of 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 a richly decorated Roman tomb from the fourth century A.D. in Sardis, Turkey. The excavation was conducted by a joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition during the summer.

Key points from the article include:

1. Discovery and Location: The tomb was found in the ancient capital of the legendary King Croesus of Lydia, now part of Turkey.

2. Decorations and Findings:

   • The tomb had painted frescoes with bright colors depicting scenes of hunting and mythology.
   • A paradise-like mural with Latin inscriptions was found, possibly from the time of Constantine.
   • The tomb is significant for its early Christian artifacts, indicating it may have been a Christian burial site.

3. Expedition Details:

   • The expedition was led by George M.A. Hanfmann, Professor of Archaeology, and John Hudson, with Eric Hastings as field director.
   • The tomb was discovered by Andrew Ramage and Fikret K. Yegül.
   • The tomb's dimensions are approximately 800 feet further west than previously known, with a depth of 20 feet below the surface.

4. Historical Context:

   • Sardis was a Lydian city, later under Persian and Macedonian rule, and eventually became a Roman provincial capital.
   • The city was significant during the early Christian era, with St. John's Book of Revelation mentioning it.

5. Future Plans:

   • The expedition plans to continue exploring the tomb and surrounding areas, with the possibility of finding more Roman tombs.
   • The team will also conduct a topographical survey of the site.

The article highlights the historical and archaeological significance of the discovery, providing insights into the early Christian period and Roman influence in the region.

Harvard Gazette - October 22, 1976

Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition

An elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb from the fourth century A.D. was uncovered this summer by the joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition at Sardis in western Turkey, ancient capital of the legendary Kingdom of Lydia.

Expedition members had planned only a "modest" program of research and study in 1976, the twentieth season of work at Sardis. While surveying the site, however, David G. Mitten, James Loeb Professor of Classical Archaeology, and his wife, Nancy, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, came across a square hole in the middle of a tobacco field. Peering down, they could see that the hole, they stood in a large barrel-vaulted chamber. Brightly painted frescoes covered the walls and ceiling, depicting garlands of fruit, purple, red and green.

A wreath on one wall highlighted the inscription, framing a Latin inscription painted in crimson. The message commemorates Chrysantos, a guild member in the imperial arms factory established at Sardis in the early fourth century A.D.

Much of the ceiling's painted plaster has fallen, but the walls still stand to a height of about eight feet. The tomb, with walls about eight feet high, ten feet wide, and twelve feet in length, is one of the best-preserved of its type in the Mediterranean area, according to the expedition photographer.

Examination of the debris has been postponed until next year, because no trained conservator was available to work on the site this season. At least three similar tombs—identified by their protruding vaulted roofs in the same tobacco field—await excavation when the expedition returns. The entire valley that the tobacco field occupies may be filled with Roman tombs, according to George M. A. Hanfmann, professor emeritus of classical archaeology at Harvard, who has directed the Sardis expedition since its inception.

The tomb's inscription helps confirm the existence of the Roman colony at Sardis, founded by the Emperor A.D. The tomb is also the best preserved Roman tomb yet found at Sardis.

Meanwhile, Mitten and Freedman had been preparing for a topographical survey when they stumbled onto the tomb. Results of that survey showed that Sardis—in its Lydian period, during the sixth and seventh centuries B.C. —extended 800 feet further north than previously thought.

Heaps of Lydian pot shards and burnt animal bones were found 20 feet beneath the surface of a recently drilled artisan well. Fortunately, the well was drilled in the orchard of an expedition worker. Knowing that the ancient city had extended that far north, the expedition reported it, Mr. Greenewalt said. Mr. Mitten dated earth from the well to the sixth century B.C.

Excavations in the Lydian and Persian levels, 10 feet below the surface, were completed in the cotton fields outside the city limits, where they found fragments of an archaic Ionic column and other votive dedications from the time of Croesus.

Past Sardis expedition discoveries include, among others, part of a nearly intact, once richly adorned, early Christian basilica dating from 550 A.D.; a Lydian gymnasium complex (including a swimming pool), around which a Roman Marble Court (marble entrance-way) was later built; and important Lydian sculptures. The Marble Court was completed in 1973 after almost ten years of work.

Sardis was a Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman city in different periods of its history. St. Paul preached in the city, and it is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as one of the Seven Churches of Asia. It housed a sizable Christian community during Constantinian times.

Mr. Greenewalt succeeded George M.A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, as field director this year. Mr. Hanfmann continues as general program director. Mr. Mitten is associate director.

A grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities provided funding, along with matching funds from several foundations and individual donors.

In addition to those already noted, staff members included the Hanfmanns of the Fogg Art Museum, Andrew Ramage (Cornell), Nancy H. Ramage (Hofstra College), New York, and Fikret Yegul (University of California, Santa Barbara). The Istanbul Archaeological Institute represented the government of Turkey.

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

The article details the discovery of an elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb near Sardis in western Turkey. The joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition, led by David G. Mitten, uncovered the tomb during the summer of 1976. The tomb features walls with painted frescoes and inscriptions, including a notable one commemorating Chrysantios, a soldier in the Imperial arms factory established at Sardis in the early fourth century A.D.

The excavation revealed heaps of animal bones and Lydian pottery, indicating the tomb's location was likely near the city center. The discovery was significant as it provides valuable insights into the Roman period in Sardis. The article mentions that the tomb's well-preserved state is attributed to the fact that it was unearthed in a recently drilled artesian well.

Key personnel mentioned include John E. Hudson, the Professor of Archaeology and field director for the expedition, and other contributors such as Andrew Ramage, Nancy H. Ramage, and others from the University of California, Berkeley.

Funding for the expedition was provided by various sources, including the National Endowment for the Humanities. The expedition's findings are expected to contribute to the broader understanding of Sardis’ historical context and its Roman heritage.

The image is 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 describes the discovery of an elaborately decorated Roman tomb in Sardis, western Turkey, during a joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition.

Key points from the article include:

1. Discovery Details: The tomb was discovered by accident when David G. Mitten, a graduate student, and James L. Greenewalt, a professor, were exploring a tobacco field. The tomb was found to have a large barrel-vaulted chamber with brightly painted frescoes on the walls and ceiling, including depictions of fruit, vines, and geometric patterns.

2. Inscription: The tomb contained an inscription on one wall, written in Latin and framed by a relief depicting a woman and a Latin inscription commemorating Chrysantios, a guild member in the Imperial arms factory established in Sardis during the fourth century A.D.

3. Excavation: The tomb was found to be part of a larger complex, with several other similar tombs nearby. The area around the tomb is believed to be part of a larger cemetery.

4. Historical Context: Sardis was a significant city with Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman influences. The tomb's inscription and style suggest it dates from the Roman period.

5. Leadership and Funding: The expedition was led by John E. Hudson and included staff members from the University of California, Berkeley, and other institutions. The excavation was funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional support from various foundations and individual donors.

6. Future Work: The article mentions that the team plans to continue their research, with further work expected to reveal more about the site's history and significance.

The article also notes that this discovery adds to the understanding of Roman art and culture in Turkey and provides a glimpse into the daily life and social structures of the time.

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

Here's a detailed summary of the article:

An elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb from the first century B.C. was discovered during the summer by a joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition at Sardis in western Turkey, near the ancient capital of Lydia, King Croesus's kingdom.

The expedition had planned a "modest" program of research and study for the 1976 season, their twentieth at Sardis. On the first day, David G. Mitten, a professor of classical art and archaeology at Cornell, and James A. Greenewalt, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, discovered the tomb while surveying a section of a hillside. The tomb was built into a natural cave and featured a well-preserved chamber with a decorated ceiling and walls.

The chamber contained a square hole in the floor, which was initially thought to be a well but was later identified as a tomb. Inside the tomb, they found a well-preserved human skeleton, along with numerous artifacts including heaps of Lydian pot shards and burnt animal bones. The well was later drilled to about 20 feet beneath the surface.

The walls of the tomb were decorated with brightly painted frescoes in blue, purple, red, and green. One of the frescoes depicted a Latin inscription, commemorating Chrysanthos, who was a guild member in the Imperial arms factory established at Sardis in the early fourth century A.D.

The tomb's inscription and other evidence suggest it dates from the Lydian period, during the sixth and seventh centuries B.C., and was used as a burial site for a wealthy individual. The frescoes and inscriptions provide valuable insights into the art and culture of the period.

The expedition was led by John E. Hudson, Professor of Archaeology at Harvard, who was also the field director for the project. The work was funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and various foundations, along with individual donors.

The article mentions other key members of the expedition, including Andrew Ramage (Cornell), Nancy H. Ramage (Ithaca College), and Eric Hostetter (Kress Fellow). It also notes that the discoveries at Sardis have been ongoing for nearly ten years, with the site being of significant importance due to its rich history spanning Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, and Roman periods. Sardis was also home to one of the Seven Churches of Asia during early Christian times.

The image is a scanned page from the Harvard Gazette dated October 22, 1976. It features an article titled "Ancient Roman Tomb Unearthed in Turkey by Harvard-Cornell Expedition."

Summary of the Article:

Discovery:
An elaborately decorated, subterranean Roman tomb was discovered during the summer by a joint Harvard-Cornell University expedition at Sardis in western Turkey. The tomb, dating back to the late Roman imperial period, is considered one of the most significant finds at Sardis.

Expedition Details:

• The expedition was a "modest" program of research and study during the 1976 field season.
• The discovery was made by David G. Mitten, James Loeb Professor of Classical Art, and Eric Hostetter, a graduate student from the University of California, Berkeley.

Description of the Tomb:

• The tomb was entered through a square hole leading to a large barrel-vaulted chamber.
• The walls of the chamber were adorned with brightly painted frescoes featuring geometric patterns and baskets of fruit in blue, purple, red, and green.
• One of the notable findings was a wreath framing a Latin inscription that commemorates a man named Chrysanthios, dating back to the early fourth century A.D.
• The tomb had a large marble slab covering a pit with skeletal remains, and the celling was part of a painted plaster.

Additional Discoveries:

• The tomb also included a sarcophagus with dimensions of about eight feet long, ten feet wide, and seven feet in height.
• Pottery shards and human bones from the Lydian period (7th and 6th centuries B.C.) were found in the upper fill of the tomb.
• The tomb had been robbed in antiquity, but some fragments of an archaic Ionic column and votive dedications were found.

Future Plans:

• The team planned to continue the examination of the debris post-season and expected to find more similar tombs in the area.

Historical Context:

• The tomb's inscription suggests it dates to around the fourth century A.D.
• Sardis was a significant city in ancient times, serving as the capital of the Lydian Empire and later a crucial Roman city.
• The article mentions the discovery of a synagogue and a Christian basilica at Sardis, highlighting the city's rich cultural and religious history.

Expedition Leadership and Funding:

• The expedition was co-directed by George M.A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, and field director Andrew Ramage.
• Funding was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Harvard University, Cornell University, and several individual donors.

The article provides a detailed account of the discovery, the significance of the findings, and the historical context of the site at Sardis.

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.

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.

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.

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.