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Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations
Who, What, Why: Zaid Tabaza on veganism in the Middle East
Who, What, Why: Zaid Tabaza on veganism in the Middle East
By tracing the evolution of this practice, Tabaza learned that in Jordan and Lebanon, the historical appeal of plant-based diets derived from their curative potential and wide availability.
‘The Changing Terrain of Religious Freedom’
‘The Changing Terrain of Religious Freedom’
This timely volume of essays edited by professors Heather J. Sharkey and Jeffrey Green explores theoretical, historical, and legal perspectives on religious freedom, while examining its meaning as an experience, value, and right.
Finding community in the Jewish High Holy Days
Finding community in the Jewish High Holy Days
Three cultural and academic leaders at Penn consider how a return to experiencing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in person offered physical and spiritual healing.
The story the bowls tell
The story the bowls tell
In an ambitious new project, historian Simcha Gross and Harvard’s Rivka Elitzur-Leiman are studying hundreds of ancient incantation bowls housed at the Penn Museum. They hope to better understand the objects and eventually, build a database of all these bowls worldwide.
The ‘music’ of one poet’s words, translated
The ‘music’ of one poet’s words, translated
With help from her daughter, scholar Huda Fakhreddine published an English version of 30 poems for children written by her father in Arabic, paying tribute to their endearing and enduring subject matter and to the musicality and richness of their sound.
From the archives, a class on different communities of Jews in China
From the archives, a class on different communities of Jews in China
Kathryn Hellerstein created an opportunity for her first-year seminar students to study archival material from a collection donated to the Penn Libraries by her mentor, Israeli scholar Irene Eber.
Nationalism, American evangelicals, and conservatism
Nationalism, American evangelicals, and conservatism
Historians Anthea Butler and Heather J. Sharkey and political scientist Michele Margolis share their thoughts on the history of American evangelicals in politics, Trump’s appeal, and what it means for the future of the GOP.
‘A Revolution in Rhyme’
‘A Revolution in Rhyme’
While building the Persian language and studies program at Penn, Fatemeh Shams draws from the millennium-old Persian literary tradition to write a new book about poetry and politics in modern Iran. She will embark on her next book project during an upcoming fellowship in Berlin.
Alice Paul’s mysterious manuscript
Alice Paul’s mysterious manuscript
Heather J. Sharkey and three students transcribed a hand-written manuscript of the doctoral dissertation by Alice Paul, who earned her Ph.D. from Penn in 1912. As part of a virtual symposium, they joined John Pollack of the Libraries to discuss their efforts.
Middle East Film Festival highlights five directors from five countries
Middle East Film Festival highlights five directors from five countries
Transformed by the pandemic, this year’s festival featured a virtual dialogue with directors and watch-at-home film offerings.
In the News
CBS Philadelphia
Penn Museum helps make historic find in Northern Iraq
A team led by Michael Danti of the Penn Museum and the School of Arts & Sciences has uncovered an Assyrian palace in the ancient city of Nimrud in Northern Iraq.
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Art Newspaper
First major dig in ancient Iraqi city since Isis destruction unearths ‘significant’ palace door sill
Michael Danti of the Penn Museum and the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues have uncovered an impressive 2-meter-high door threshold in the ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud.
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Jewish Exponent
New Penn Museum exhibit adds context to Jewish history
The new Eastern Mediterranean Gallery at the Penn Museum expands the context of Jewish history, with quotes from Director Christopher Woods and Lauren Ristvet of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Penn Museum unveils a new look at the ancient Mediterranean world
Virginia Herrmann, Joanna Smith, and Director Christopher Woods of the Penn Museum discuss the history behind the artifacts of the new Eastern Mediterranean Gallery.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
A new gallery at Penn Museum relooks at Eastern Mediterranean history
The Penn Museum’s new Eastern Mediterranean Gallery, “Crossroads of Culture,” seeks to highlight the social, commercial, and political innovations of countries like Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.
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Al Día
Fragments of history from the Penn Museum’s new Eastern Mediterranean Gallery
The Penn Museum will open its new Eastern Mediterranean Gallery this weekend, featuring live musical performances, workshops, and pop-up talks alongside approximately 400 artifacts.
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