The Museum Journal

Originally published from 1910–1935, the Museum Journal includes articles which may not reflect the current views and values of the Penn Museum.

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The scope and purpose of the Journal make it a standard publication of merit, containing much information regarding exploration and kindred topics which cannot be had elsewhere... It will relate the history of expeditions in the field and give descriptions of all new acquisitions.
A New Departure — Volume I - Number 1 (1910)
Portrait of men on the aerial expedition in front of their plane

Aerial Expedition to Mexico and Central America

This 1930 expedition investigated the ancient Maya civilization of Central America from both air and land, particularly in those areas not previously covered by either method. Along with taking breathtaking photographs, the expedition also discovered several new archaeological sites amongst the rainforest and rivers, and provided new geographical and ethnological data.

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Rooms east of the Temple of Amenophis III

Expedition to Beth Shean

Beth Shean was to be the first major excavation in the Near East after World War I. Work began with cutting into the medieval and classical strata of the tell’s high southern platform, which uncovered evidence of an Ummayadqasr-type (palace or mansion) walled enclosure, an unusual Byzantine round church, and seven Byzantine houses. Investigations expanded to include a necropolis and Byzantine monastery near the city’s northern edge, from which came many of the artifacts currently on display.

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Edith Hall Dohan

Edith Hall Dohan

Dohan was an mediterranean archaeologist who brought the first Mycenaean and pre-Mycenaean collection to the United States for display. She excavated throughout Greece, including in Crete, Sphoungaras, and Vrokastro. She was the second American woman to direct an archaeological excavation on Crete and the third woman ever to in Greece, going on to become Curator of the Mediterranean Section at the Penn Museum.

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Clarence S. Fisher

Clarence S. Fisher

Fisher was called “the ablest field archaeologist in America,” and helped invent the “American Method” of excavation. He was Curator of the Egyptian Section at the Penn Museum, and led excavations throughout Egypt, and discovered the palace of Merenptah in Memphis.

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J. Alden Mason

J. Alden Mason

Mason was one of the last of the great generalist anthropologists of the 20th century. He is known for his work in anthropological linguistics in Mexico, and as an archaeologist of the Americas who excavated at Piedras Negras in Guatemala and Sitio Conte in Panama, and as Curator of the American Section for the Penn Museum.

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