Sep 22 2008
“Beyond Babylon: Art, Trade, and Diplomacy in the Second Millennium B.C.” Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
If you live in New York City then you probably don’t get to go out metal detecting too often.
But you do get to go to some great exhibits at the various museums around The City and yes, we are jealous here in St. Cloud, Florida.
DiveMaster.com reports that artifacts from the oldest known shipwreck, the Uluburn, will be on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Bodrum Underwater Archaeological Museum in Turkey starting November 18, 2008.
All of the 140 unique pieces that were removed from the 3,300 year old ship will be on public display at the Met., including the “golden seal of Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, glass beads, golden necklaces, precious jewels, a stone hoe, and containers for food and hunting items used in ancient times.”
Museum Director Yasar Yildiz said “In addition to being the oldest shipwreck discovered so far, Uluburun provides significant insight into the ancient commercial life of the Anatolia and Mediterranean basins. Furthermore, the artifacts from Uluburun are extremely well preserved. Egyptian Queen Nefertiti’s first and only golden seal in the world will be on display at the symposium. We are proud of exhibiting and promoting the artifacts from Bodrum Museum, which is acknowledged as one of the most outstanding museums in the world. We will introduce our treasures to the public in the U.S.A.”
The Uluburun was discovered in 1982 by a Turkish sponge diver and was recovered using techniques of underwater excavation in 11 consecutive campaigns of 3-4 months duration each from 1984 to 1994.
For a complete list of the items found on the ship (and consequently, the items that will be on display at the Met in November) view the Uluburun’s Wikipedia Page.
Anybody planning on going to this? Feel free to send us pictures!
- Shaun
