Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Wednesday, August 21, 2002 |
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Time is running out to see Fernbank's "Ancient Empires" exhibit By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
There is less than two weeks left to experience Fernbank's special exhibition "Ancient Empires, Syria: Land of Civilizations." Visitors will learn about the origins of civilization and the emergence of society, the development of the economy, the organization of thought and religion and the transmission of scientific heritage to the West. There are over 450 artifacts in the exhibition from some of the great city-states of the Fertile Crescent including Mari, Ugarit, Ebla and Palmyra. Among the relics are ancient cuneiform tablets, mosaics, jewelry, manuscripts and textiles. The oldest artifact in the exhibition is a one-million-year-old flint hand axe. Visitors will get to follow the succession of the earliest farming settlements and cities to powerful empires. Syria was a center for trade, metallurgy, religion and writing. They will also get to see a 1,950-year-old silver helmet and mask used for parades and battles, a mosaic of an eight-month-old Hercules strangling serpents and a finely crafted brooch of gold and rubies. The artifacts were collected from 11 museums from across Syria. "Ancient Empires, Syria: Land of Civilizations" will run through Sept. 2. Tickets to Fernbank are $12 for adults, $11 for students and seniors and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be ordered by calling 404-929-6400. Fernbank is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visit www.fernbank.edu/museum. |
