Archaeology

In Greek mythology, a plague, a bloodthirsty monster, and inept rulers all tested the fortitude of the citizens of Thebes. Art historian Renee Gondek explores this convergence of calamities though the focus of Oedipus the King.

Excavations at the extraordinarily preserved desert city at Tell el-Amarna provide unmatched evidence of the daily life and religious practices of ancient Egyptians. Egyptologist Jacquelyn Williamson, a senior member of the Tell el-Amarna archaeological team, examines the latest discoveries at the site and what they reveal about the city founded as a center for Pharaoh Akhenaten’s monotheistic cult of the sun god Aten. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

More than 1200 years ago, two ancient Egyptian cities at the mouth of the Nile were lost to natural disasters and the rising tides of the Mediterranean Sea. The stunning exhibition Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts offers a rare glimpse of what remains of these mighty centers of trade, where Egyptian and Greek cultures merged in art, worship, and everyday life. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

The human and mythological activities depicted on the painted surfaces of Greek vases provide a richly detailed visual narrative of life in the ancient civilization. Art historian Renee Gondek explores the uses, stories, and artistry of these vessels. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Archaeologist Robert Stieglitz explores the brilliant cultural heritage of the Greeks as revealed by historical sources and archaeological discoveries.