Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations

Raise a toast in honor of the world’s oldest known beerhall!

A team of researchers from Penn and the University of Pisa, led by Holly Pittman of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum, have excavated a site in Iraq that could contain the oldest tavern ever discovered.

World’s oldest bar? Archaeologists find a nearly 5,000-year-old tavern

Ancient refrigerator, beer recipe, and tavern among the latest discoveries at Lagash, Iraq

A team of archaeologists from Penn and the University of Pisa have discovered the remains of a 5,000-year-old tavern and an ancient beer recipe in the ruins of ancient Lagash in Iraq.

Archaeologists digging in Iraq have located the remains of a 5,000-year-old tavern—as well as a ‘beer recipe’

Holly Pittman of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum and colleagues have uncovered the remains of a public eating space dated to 2700 B.C.E. in Lagash, an ancient city site in southern Iraq.

Iraq dig uncovers 5,000-year-old pub restaurant

A joint U.S.-Italian archaeological team led by Holly Pittman of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum has uncovered the remains of a nearly 5,000-year-old tavern in southern Iraq.

Who, What, Why

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.

5,000-year-old tavern uncovered in Iraq

Holly Pittman of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum and colleagues have uncovered a public eating space dated to 2700 B.C.E. in Lagash, an ancient city site in southern Iraq.

Protesters carrying Iranian flags walk through the National Mall in Washington, D.C., which is dotted with black and white photos of Iranians allegedly killed by their government.

‘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.

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.

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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