For years Zahi Hawass was a superstar among Egyptologists and one would say, archaeologists in general. Even those who weren’t archaeologists or in related fields were familiar with him. Not only did he have his own program on the History Channel, he appeared frequently on shows on the Discovery and National Geographic channels. He was an author and a passionate advocate for cultural preservation. Held in favor by the Egyptian government—even appointed as the Minister of Antiquities in 2011 by President Hosni Mubarak—he was lauded for raising Egypt’s profile in the world. However, fortune and politics can be lethal twins. After the toppling of the Mubarak government, Hawass became a persona non grata in his own country. He lost his TV show, was arrested by the Egyptian government (and later released) and was heaved unceremoniously out of his office and the spotlight. And with the ongoing unrest in Egypt, he has much to ponder as to the future of his country and the fate of Egyptian heritage. Continue reading
Category Archives: Culture
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Butternut Squash Soup With Maple Roasted Chickpeas
As the polar vortex spins and the Arctic blasts march on, much of the world is looking for a warm pair of slippers and a nice hot meal to fight chill. This easy slow-cooker soup is the dish to satisfy and it just happens to be a beautiful pairing of old and new. Chickpeas, an ancient ingredient, provide a perfect garnish for the butternut squash which is said to have originated in the 1940s. Continue reading
Super Bowl 2014 and Aztec Chocolate Caramel Popcorn—Sweet Victory All Around
Image courtesy of marsmet522.
Bon Appetit Wednesday! on January 22 showcased this recipe—strategically posted between National Popcorn Day and the National Football League’s Super Bowl XLVIII in the United States—and described the relationship between the Aztecs, popcorn and chocolate. In honor of the Super Bowl being played today, we are re-posting the recipe for the football parties being held far and wide. But so you know, fans of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks may want to take a page from Aztec sporting history as kickoff approaches. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Culinary, Culture, Holidays, Public Life, Recreation, Sports
Tagged American football, ancient history, AntiquityNOW, Aztec, Mesoamerica, Olmec, sports, Superbowl, ullamaliztli
Happy Year of the Horse!
Today is the first day of the Year of the Horse (in China’s time zone) and the students at the Chinese American International School in San Francisco are celebrating by using their talents to create beautiful depictions of horses. Scroll down to view a slideshow of the artwork that leapt out of their imaginations and trotted into the New Year. Continue reading
Posted in Art, Blog, Culture, Holidays, Kids: Holidays, Kids: Public Life, Public Life
Tagged ancient history, AntiquityNOW, Chinese New Year, Chinese zodiac, Year of the Horse
Students Celebrate Chinese New Year with Dragons and Dance
See Below for Live Streaming
Chinese New Year is an exciting time of celebration, honoring the past and looking forward to the future. One school in San Francisco is celebrating this year—the Year of the Horse—with art and song and dance. AntiquityNOW invited the Chinese American International School (CAIS) to share the festivities with us and let us showcase the remarkable student artists in their midst. One project involved having the students from different grades work together to create their own dragon mural in honor of the New Year. The scales on this elaborate creature were made by the kindergarten and first grade classes and the head was painted by the second grade gold class. As you can see, their dragon is colorful, imaginative and full of historical symbolism—a splendidly sinuous being that reminds everyone of the ancient heritage that still resonates today. Continue reading
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Pork Dumplings for the Year of the Horse
Image courtesy of FamilyFun magazine.
Chinese New Year is right around the corner and we thought we’d serve up a dish full of ancient symbolism. This recipe for pork dumplings is a perfect way to start the New Year with a savory fare that’s been enjoyed for thousands of years. Continue reading
Celebrating Chinese New Year: The Dragon Re-Interpreted
The dragon has a long and esteemed history in Chinese lore. In honor of Chinese New Year, AntiquityNOW’s Artist-in-Residence Dan Fenelon has recast this legendary figure into phantasmagorical creations that fuse the ancient and the modern with a whimsical turn—a Fenelon trademark. Continue reading
Posted in Art, Blog, Culture, Holidays, Kids: Art, Kids: Holidays, Public Life
Tagged ancient art, ancient history, AntiquityNOW, art history, china, Chinese holidays, Chinese New Year, Dan Fenelon, dragons, Year of the Horse
Bon Appetit Wednesday! Time to Break Out the Aztec Chocolate Caramel Popcorn
It’s the end of January and that means National Popcorn Day is upon us! The actual date is contested with some sources saying it’s the 19th (last Sunday) and others claiming it falls on Super Bowl Sunday. We’ve decided to compromise and celebrate right between these two dates. So whether you’re celebrating retroactively or preparing in advance for February 2nd, this Aztec Chocolate Caramel Popcorn is sure to please. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Bon Appetit Wednesday, Culinary, Culture
Tagged ancient history, AntiquityNOW, Aztecs, Bon Appetit Wednesday, chocolate, National Popcorn Day, Peru, popcorn, Superbowl
Celebrating Chinese New Year: Explore China’s Past, Present and Future With Videos From The Archaeology Channel
Chinese New Year is next Friday, January 31 and this is a perfect time to learn more about the nation’s fascinating culture and history. An excellent way to do this is to enjoy videos from our partner, The Archaeology Channel. In order to expedite your search, we’ve put together a list of videos that feature China, its history and contemporary issues. Click on any title or image below to visit a page where you can view the video. Continue reading
Today’s Muse Welcomes Art by Ashkal
When Ashkal, who lives in Pakistan, sent us the above artwork for our critique, we immediately requested his consent to post it on Today’s Muse, AntiquityNOW’s creative section. Ashkal says that his art grows out of his love of learning about the world, its people and diverse cultures. Continue reading
Posted in Art, Blog, Culture, Today's Muse
Tagged ancient art, ancient history, AntiquityNOW, Ashkal, Egyptian, fine art, Mesoamerican, Pakistan, Today's Muse
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