Article Summaries Essay, Research Paper

Article 1- Excavating Egypt (Newsprint)

This article tells of a typical working day for an

archaeologist in Egypt. It tells of an experienced

archaeologist named, Dr. David O?Connor. He speaks of his

working site, Abydos, and tells of what he has discovered

since he started working on the site. In his 30 years of

working there, he has uncovered 12 wooden boats, each about

60 feet long encased in 96-foot graves. He has also found

the remains of an entire settlement covering about 16 acres.

He annually spends up to $150,000 to pay of his fellow

archaeologists and his laborers. He does receive funds from

private institutions and government agencies to help

support his effort in Abydos.

In reading this article, I have become puzzled as to

how so many people working there can split $150,000. It says

that 20-25 scientists and 30-60 laborers are employed. I

understand that he does receive funds from institutions,

but I would not think that it would be upwards of enough

money to support so many people. I have always respected

archaeologists for what they do but now I have a deeper

respect for Egyptian archaeologists. I do hope to visit

Egypt someday though and experience what it is like

firsthand.

Article 2- Cosmetic Surgery Discovered on Ancient Roman

Portrait (Newsprint)

This article tells of artists in the modern day

performing work on damaged ancient artifacts. It specifies

on a head statue that was received as a gift by the

Nelson-Atkins Museum. Scientists noticed some unusual

features on the statue?s head and investigated it to

discover that somebody had fixed it up before it was given

to them. They used gamma-radiographs to find that somebody

had fixed the head?s broken neck with metal dowels and

clamps.

I found it pretty remarkable that some people may get

away doing this without anybody knowing of it. It makes me

wonder if some of the great artifacts that we have on

display today have been tampered with and that they may not

be 100% ancient. I don?t see that there is anything wrong

with this. I?d rather look at a fixed up display than view

one that has been badly damaged and is hard to make out.

Article 3- Faking It: A Forger?s Biography (Newsprint)

This article tells of a modern day man, Alceo Dossena

(1878-1937), and his ability to create artificial art pieces

of ancient civilizations. He created sculptures in almost

every style: Greek, Etruscan, Gothic and Italian

Renaissance. He would sculpt them, then age them by giving

them acid baths and then would proceed to bury them,

allowing them to age. He was able to fool some of the

greatest historians and scientists in the world. One of his

art pieces was sold to a dealer who then sold it for

$225,000, the highest price of any of Dossena?s artworks.

Dossena claimed that he did not make his art to cheat people

out of their money. He then sued his dealer and won.

When reading this article, I began to wonder if some of

the great artworks today might be fake. Perhaps someone

painted or sculpted them earlier in the century, and sold it

off as an ancient work of art. I am reluctant to think that

it happens more often than not. It probably doesn?t work on

the level of great museums, but it might work on

unsuspecting dealers looking to get rich.

Article 4- Joined by a Bridge

This article is really interesting for it tells of a

man, William Cochran, and is efforts of painting a bridge.

When the subject came up of covering a small stone bridge in

Frederick, Maryland, Cochran ran this suggestion by and it

was approved. Many residents rejected the idea at first and

would vandalize the work that had been done up to date. As

soon as his efforts came to an end, the bridge was seen as a

tourist attraction for the city. Since its completion, there

have been many other paintings added onto the bridge by

suggestion of the townspeople.

Before reading this article, I had no clue that

something like this could be done. I am interested in how he

went about doing this. I am also interested in whether or

not this bridge is allowed to have cars pass over it.

Someday if I make it to Frederick, Maryland, I?ll head over

to the bridge and find out for myself.

Article 5- Walking Encyclopedia

This article tells a small town, Columbus, in Indiana

and its claim to fame through architecture. The town is

nationally known for its buildings as many famous architects

have come in through the years and developed such

fascinating buildings. Columbus has even been declared as

one of the most important towns in the U.S. architecturally

by the American Institute of Architecture. The article goes

on to tell that some of the towns buildings are not so

popular, for they clash with the beauty of the exquisite

ones or else they are seen just as insulting.

When reading this article, I became interested in the

town of Columbus, Indiana. Many cities and towns have their

claim to fame through something, but for one town to have so

many different exhibits seems preposterous. I am like any

fellow man, I enjoy a good scenic visit when I travel. This

summer I am traveling to Indianapolis for the Olympic Trials

so when they are done, perhaps I will drive down and visit

Columbus.

Article 6- Mass-Produced Masterworks From the Ancients

This article talks about ancient Roman art. It tells of

many artifacts being sent to the Newark Museum, for an

exhibit. The exhibit will be displaying some of Romans means

of creating shortcuts and streamlined technologies that

enabled them to mass-produce goods without sacrificing

quality. Some of the other objects on display include marble

tombstones and votive reliefs that provide portraits and

pictorial information about the artisans? tools and dress

and the interiors of their workshops. The objects in the

exhibit are divided into three categories: domestic goods,

tools and public art. In addition to all of the above

listed, there are many other items to view at the museum.

What I found interesting about this article was that

the Romans had produced somewhat of an assembly line. I had

no prior knowledge of anyone doing this before Henry Ford. I

think that is really neat that they could create such an

effect some 2000 years ago with the technology that they

had.