The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is undisputedly one of the most important archaeological moments of the last several centuries. In 1947 hundreds of ancient scrolls, including the oldest copy of the Hebrew Bible were found in a remote Judean Desert cave giving us an unprecedented insight into the society, religion and language during the Second Temple Period. To gaze upon and study these scrolls is an incredible opportunity that few have had up to this point. However, thanks to a collaboration between Google and the Israeli Antiquity Authority, anyone with an internet connection is now able to view these stunning pieces of history in high definition. Using the most advanced and innovative imaging technology, the IAA has imaged and uploaded the scrolls to a public online digital library and they’ve recently revamped their website to make the experience even more user-friendly. Technology is once again giving us the ability to understand and appreciate our past. Continue reading
Category Archives: Education
Modern Technology Brings the Dead Sea Scrolls to Life
Posted in Blog, Communications, Computer Technology, Culture, Education, Literature, Public Life, Religion, Science and Technology
Tagged ancient history, AntiquityNOW, Christianity, Dead Sea Scrolls, Essene, Google, Israeli Antiquity Authority, Judaism, Leon Levy Digital Library, multispectral imaging, Qumran
It’s a 3D Life: Using Minecraft to Recreate Antiquity
It’s a strange world of 3D cubes that comprise environments both hauntingly beautiful and brutally harsh. Rivers flow through peaceful meadows, deserts and jungles teem with hidden dangers and mountains loom in awe-inspiring splendor. For the high school students in Peter Albert’s class at The Hun School, a private academy in Princeton, NJ, Minecraft is a fantasy computer game with considerably high stakes and a provocative underlying premise. In this 3D virtual habitat, students confront a primal question: Do you have what it takes to survive? Continue reading
The Egyptian Uprising and the Future of Antiquity: An Interview with Zahi Hawass
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
Posted in Blog, Celebrities, Crime, Culture, Education, Human Rights, Politics, Public Life, War and Violence
Tagged ancient history, antiquities, AntiquityNOW, archaeology, cultural preservation, Egypt, Egyptology, Hosni Mubarak, interview, looting, Zahi Hawass
May the Force Be With You: AntiquityNOW Marking International Star Wars Day During AntiquityNOW Month in May
The Star Wars series has defined generations of space enthusiasts and launched fantasy franchises that try to compete, but never beat, the original. Not to be outdone, AntiquityNOW has a new take on this iconic brand thanks to Jason Allen, PhD., who is Coordinator of Social Science at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Last year Allen created a well-received lesson plan in honor of International Star Wars Day on May 4 that featured both Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings movies. This year Allen will be working with AntiquityNOW on another curriculum that mines the ancient motifs in these series to illustrate how science fiction can reflect life truths, whatever the life form. Continue reading
In Case You Missed It…2013 Recipes With a Past!
*Don’t miss our 2013 recipe book filled with delicious food from main courses to drinks and desserts.
Mario Batali, Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, Julia Child…giants in culinary arts known for their expertise, personal franchises and larger than life personalities. But they aren’t the only chefs known for their style.
How about those Babylonian epicures whose haute cuisine recipes date to c. 1750 BCE during the reign of Hammurabi?[1]
Ever see the culinary page-turner Hedypatheia (Pleasant Living or Life of Luxury), written around 350 BCE by Archestratus, a Sicilian Greek? [2] Continue reading
Coming January 31: Chinese New Year and the Year of the Wooden Horse
Sculpture from the Han Dynasty. Image courtesy of Robert Harding Picture Library.
January 31, 2014 is the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. It is designated as the Year of the Wooden Horse and officially ends on February 18, 2015. The horse symbolizes adventure and romance, as well as the opportunity to seek out better fortune, especially for those who hadn’t been particularly lucky in 2013. We’ll be posting a series of blogs during January and February to commemorate this ancient holiday. We also will have a special section on our website showcasing various activities and festivities: Continue reading
Explore Our New Teacher-Submitted Curriculum: “The Use of Symbols in Egyptian Religion”
AntiquityNOW is pleased to announce a new curriculum available on our website. Submitted by Sharlyn Scott, social studies teacher at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona, the curriculum is titled “The Use of Symbols in Egyptian Religion: Ancient Egyptian, Coptic Christian, and Islamic Images.” Scott developed the curriculum after a Fulbright Hays study tour to Egypt in the summer of 2010. The curriculum leads students from the ancient to the modern, asking them to “analyze artwork, sculpture and architecture to determine different cultural world views and values”.[1] Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Communications, Education, Public Life
Tagged ancient history, AntiquityNOW, Coptic Christian, education, Egypt, Fulbright Hayes, Islam, Sharlyn Scott
Calling All Teachers! Showcase Your Best Ideas With AntiquityNOW!
Author: Shirley K. Gazsi, President of AntiquityNOW
As we all know, teachers are some of the hardest working, most dedicated
professionals around. In the last few days I saw firsthand the caliber and quality of this field at the National Council for the Social Studies conference.
St. Louis Gateway Arch
AntiquityNOW was selected from more than 90 proposals to give a poster session on our organization and our prototype Yesterday’s Child, which is a comprehensive, culturally immersive curricular series about ancient cultures and their legacies today. I also attended the conference to understand the prevailing issues in teaching social studies today and to gain an appreciation of how AntiquityNOW can serve as a resource to the educational community. At our poster session and the many gatherings I attended, I discussed collaborative opportunities with teachers as well as other folks from nonprofit organizations representing a broad array of interests. Continue reading
Immersion in Ancient Times: Yesterday’s Child Series Brings the Past to Life
It was a wonderful time with social studies teachers and administrators at the New Jersey Council for the Social Studies annual conference last Wednesday, October 23. AntiquityNOW had an exhibit and welcomed much interest in our programs. Next month AntiquityNOW will be a poster at the National Council for the Social Studies annual conference on November 22 in St. Louis, Missouri. Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Education, Public Life
Tagged ancient history, AntiquityNOW, china, education, Qin Shi Huang
AntiquityNOW 